A stack of diplomas on a table with the United States flag and Northeastern Illinois University logo in the background

Congratulations to all May 2024 graduates!

Please continue to monitor your NEIU email address for Commencement-related information delivered through Constant Contact or from commencement@neiu.edu.

May 2024 Commencement Ceremony

2:00 p.m. Friday, May 10, 2024
Credit Union 1 Arena
525 S. Racine Ave.
Chicago, Illinois 60607

Caps and Gowns

Caps and gowns are required to participate in the ceremony. The deadline to order caps and gowns is Monday, March 25, 2024. This is a hard deadline from Jostens, Northeastern’s official cap and gown manufacturer, to ensure students receive their orders before the ceremony. All orders placed online will be mailed directly to the address provided with the order, not to Northeastern.

Order your cap and gown today!

All inquiries regarding cap and gown orders should be directed to Jostens at (800) 854-7464 or via their customer service help center.

If you are unable to place your order directly through the Jostens website, orders will be accepted between the hours of 10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday at the Welcome Desk located in Village Square on the Main Campus.

If you still need to purchase a cap and gown after Monday, March 25, 2024, please visit the Student Union Office in Room SU 207. Due to a very limited supply, not all sizes or hood colors are guaranteed to be in stock. 

No caps and gowns will be available for purchase after Friday, May 3, 2024, or on the day of Commencement. Please do not wait until the last minute to order your caps and gowns!

Please note: Commencement is a formal event. Caps and gowns are required to participate. In keeping with the formal nature of academic regalia, robes and hoods must be fully visible; caps may be decorated; and graduates may wear stoles, chords or medallions signifying academic honors, University clubs/organizations and veteran status with their regalia.

TICKETS

Each student will be able to pick up their eight (8) tickets during the Commencement Resource Fair being held on the Main Campus in Alumni Hall from 11:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. on Tuesday, March 26, and 3:00-7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, March 27, 2024. 

After these dates tickets will be available for pickup in Room SU 207 from 10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, from Tuesday April 2-Monday, May 6, 2024.

Any lost or stolen guest tickets will not be replaced. Children under 2 years of age will not require a ticket.

ACADEMIC HONORS

The Academic Honors Ceremony will be held from 5:00-9:00 p.m. Tuesday, April 30, (depending on RSVPs received) in the NEIU Auditorium. Invitations will be sent Tuesday, April 2, 2024. All RSVPs will be due no later than Friday, April 19, 2024. No add-ons will be permitted after that date.

If you are unable to attend the Academic Honors Ceremony, medallions will be available for pickup in the Student Union Office in Room SU 207 from 10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. Friday, May 3.

MASTER'S HOODING CEREMONY:

The Master's Hooding Ceremony will be held on Wednesday, May 1, in the NEIU Auditorium. 

Day of Commencement

Graduates should begin arriving at the Credit Union 1 Arena between noon-1:30 p.m. checking in at Gate 2 right off Harrison Street. There you will receive your Name Card and be directed to your seating section in the arena. Be sure to hold on to your Name Card at all times, as you will give that card to the name reader as you cross the stage

Please plan your travel times accordingly and allow enough time for traffic and parking.

Graduates should arrive no later than 1:30 p.m. to check in and be seated for the 2:00 p.m. ceremony.

Guests

All ticketed guests will enter the Credit Union 1 Arena at Gate 3 (corner of Racine and Harrison).

Doors open to guests at 1:00 p.m. 

Guests will not be required to show proof of vaccination status.

Seating is general admission with no assigned seats. We ask that all guests please be respectful of one another's personal space and allow for social distancing between families when possible.

Credit Union 1 staff will be available for guests needing mobility assistance or wheelchair seating.

Seating for deaf and hearing impaired will be available in Section 103.

No balloons, confetti, noisemakers or strollers will be allowed in the Arena.

Questions

Questions about Commencement can be directed to the Student Union office at (773) 442-4630 or commencement@neiu.edu.