Commencement Ceremonies
Nebraska Wesleyan’s 2020 Commencement will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, May 9, on Taylor Commons on the Nebraska Wesleyan campus. A full schedule of the day’s events can be found below.
- Commencement Day Schedule
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Schedule for Commencement Day, May 9, 2020
8:15 a.m
All graduates, faculty and other Baccalaureate participants assemble for the Final Walk to Baccalaureate
Snyder Arena, Weary Center8:40 a.m.
Final Walk
Across campus9 a.m.
Baccalaureate
Sanctuary, First United Methodist Church, 50th Street and St. Paul Ave.10 a.m.
Class picture
front steps, First United Methodist Church10 a.m.
Complimentary continental breakfast
locations across campus10:45 a.m.
Graduates and faculty assemble for Commencement
Snyder Arena, Weary Center11:30 a.m.
131st Annual Commencement (Hooding Ceremony will be included in the Commencement Ceremony.)
Taylor CommonsRain Plan
If inclement weather is forecast:
The class picture will be taken in Snyder Arena.
Graduates and faculty will assemble in the east half of Snyder Arena.
Commencement will be held in Knight Field House and telecasted in Snyder Arena.
Complimentary Brunch
A complimentary brunch will be provided for graduates and guests. Meals may be picked up in the Prairie Pointe Dining Center (located in the Roy G. Story Student Center) immediately following Baccalaureate services at approximately 10 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. You may stay and enjoy your meal in the dining hall or take it to go while you wait for the Commencement ceremony to begin.
Baccalaureate
Baccalaureate will be held at 9 a.m. on Saturday, May 9, in the sanctuary of First United Methodist Church located at 50th Street and Saint Paul Avenue. Baccalaureate services are a tradition at Nebraska Wesleyan as part of our relationship with the United Methodist Church. All graduates are invited to participate in the services but are not required to attend.
All participating graduates and faculty members should be dressed in caps and gowns or regalia and begin assembling in Snyder Arena by 8:15 a.m.
Final Walk
A tradition at Nebraska Wesleyan University, the final walk across campus symbolizes the culmination of a graduate’s four years of learning and living at NWU. Just as they did to begin their academic careers, during the final walk graduates will pass under one of Nebraska Wesleyan’s famous arches—the symbol of the University. The final walk across campus will begin at 8:40 a.m. at Snyder Arena and culminate on the steps of the church.
Download the commencement map below to see the final walk route. In case of inclement weather the final walk will be canceled, but Baccalaureate services will go on as planned.
Campus Map 469.95 KB
Guests
There is no limit to the number of guests that may attend. Please be advised while plenty of seating is available, it is on a first come first served basis. We encourage all guests to arrive 45 minutes prior to the beginning of the ceremony or earlier to reserve the best seats. Taylor Commons is handicap accessible, and special seating will be offered for those with mobility issues. Two ASL interpreters and special hearing impaired seating will also be available.
Weather
The ceremony will be held outdoors, so we encourage guests to dress accordingly. If the weather is cool, a light jacket or blanket may be appropriate. If the weather is warm, sunscreen and hats are recommended. Refillable water stations will also be available and guests are encouraged to bring their own water bottles.
In the case of inclement weather, the ceremony will be moved indoors to the Knight Field House and telecasted in Snyder Arena. The decision to move inside will be made by 7 a.m. the day prior to Commencement. The announcement will be broadcasted on this website, on our main university voicemail (402-466-2371 or 800-541-3818) and through the Nebraska Wesleyan alert system.
Parking and Safety
All parking lots on campus are available on Commencement day. Street parking is also available, however, parking will NOT be permitted on Madison Avenue between 50th and 56th Streets. Parking attendants will be available to help direct traffic, and complimentary golf cart shuttles will run from designated lots throughout campus to aid guests as needed. Handicapped parking is available in the lot located directly to the south of the Story Student Center.
You may download the commencement map below to see all available parking options and shuttle locations.
Campus Map 469.95 KB
Nebraska Wesleyan Bookstore
The Prairie Wolves Bookstore located in the Story Student Center will be open from 7:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, May 9, for late gown pick-up (if necessary) and to purchase NWU memorabilia.
Coffee House
Families and friends may take a break in the Archways Café coffee house located in the lower level of the Story Student Center. The café will be open from 8 – 11:30 a.m.
- Additional Information for Graduates
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Graduation Requirements
Prior to Commencement all graduates must complete the required paperwork and verifications as requested by the registrar’s office. Please refer to your NWU email account for additional details regarding this information.
All caps and gowns must be ordered online or in person by the March 29 deadline. See the information below for additional ordering details.
Cap and Gown Ordering Information
Caps and gowns, announcements, diploma frames, and rings can now all be ordered online. To place your order, visit the Herff Jones website. Please take note of the deadlines below to ensure receiving your items in a timely manner.
All cap, gown, and Master’s hood orders need to be completed online by Friday, March 27. After this date, the online order function online will NOT be available.
Online orders are due to arrive the week of April 27. You may have your order delivered to either the Prairie Wolves Bookstore in Lincoln, or to the Omaha Advantage office. All orders should be picked up by Friday, May 8, at 5 p.m.
BACHELOR’S DEGREE GRADUATES
You can keep all items in your order, so you do NOT need to return anything after the ceremony. (Pricing: $43 plus tax, which includes gown, cap, and tassel)MASTER’S DEGREE GRADUATES
Gowns and hoods are rentals and need to be returned to the Weary Center after the ceremony. (Pricing: $70 plus tax, which includes rental gown and hood with a keeper cap and tassel)If you would like to keep your gown and/or hood, please contact the bookstore (402-465-2490) for pricing and place your order with them directly. These orders need to be placed by Wednesday, March 18.
Orders for all other items including announcements, diploma frames and rings will require 3-4 weeks to process and ship, so please order accordingly.
Photography and Videography
Following Baccalaureate, an all-class picture will be taken on the front steps of First United Methodist Church.
Professional photographers from GradImages will also be on hand during the day to capture pictures of all graduates. Pre-registration is highly encouraged and ensures timely delivery of your proofs from GradImages after Commencement.
When you pre-register you will also automatically receive a coupon code for 20% off of your order. To pre-register or order photos visit the grad images website.
Nebraska Wesleyan does NOT provide professionally recorded DVD’s or telecast the ceremony. Please encourage your guests to bring their own video equipment to record this special day.
Welcome from the NWU Alumni Association
Welcome to the Nebraska Wesleyan Alumni Association! Upon graduation you will join thousands of alumni across the country (and the world!) as a member of the NWU Alumni Association. No dues required!
Before leaving campus, please stop by the Alumni Relations Office (Office 310 in the Smith-Curtis Building) to pick up your official alumni welcome packet. The packet includes a free NWU alumni license plate holder, alumni decal, and other NWU swag. Packets may be picked up anytime from 8 a.m. through 5 p.m. beginning the week of March 2.
If you are unable to pick up your packet in person, please contact Alumni Relations at alumni [at] nebrwesleyan.edu or 402-465-2568.
- Additional Information for Guests
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Accommodations
All NWU Commencement guests may receive special hotel rates at the below establishments. To make a reservation please use the following phrasing—“I would like to make a reservation for the NWU Commencement at the NE Wesleyan negotiated rate.”
Hotel Address Price Phone Comfort Suites 331 N. Cotner Blvd. Starting at $109 (402) 817-2456 Country Inn & Suites 5353 N. 27th Street Starting at $119 (402) 476-5353 New Victorian Suites 225 N. 50th Street Starting at $79.99 (402) 464-4400 Staybridge Suites 2701 Fletcher Avenue Starting at $109 (402) 438-7829 Maps and Directions
Directions Maps From the airport
Take West Adams out of airport.
Right on Cornhusker Highway.
Right on 48th Street.
Left on Saint Paul Ave. (third stoplight).
From the east on I–80
Take Waverly exit (#409)
Left on Cornhusker Highway.
Left on 48th Street.
Left on Saint Paul Ave. (third stoplight)
From the west on I–80
Take Superior Street exit (#401)
Left onto Superior Street.
Right on 48th Street.
Left on Saint Paul Ave. (third stoplight)
From the southeast on Highway 2
Right on 84th Street.
Left on Adams Street. (after several miles on 84th)
Left on 48th Street.
Left on Saint Paul Ave. (first stop light)Commencement Map
Campus Map 469.95 KBLincoln Map
Download and print our Lincoln map 196.25 KBParking
All parking lots on campus are available for you on commencement day. Street parking is available as well. However, parking is NOT permitted on Madison Avenue between 50th and 56th streets.
Download the commencement map below to view parking options.
Campus Map 469.95 KB