A true celebration of your accomplishments.
Spring Commencement will be at 10:30 a.m. May 4, 2019, in the Barnett Center; Winter Commencement, at 10:30 a.m. Dec. 14, 2019, in the Johnson Fine Arts Center. Tickets are not required; the public is welcome. Doors open at least an hour before the ceremony. The Winter ceremony lasts approximately 1 1/2 hours and Spring, about 2 hours. We encourage all guests to stay until the end of the ceremony to honor all graduates.
Due to campus construction, we encourage guests to arrive early and park in the Barnett Center lot. Overflow parking is at the nearby Johnson Fine Arts Center and on the adjacent streets. Campus Map
Plan for the Big Day
Discover details about the ceremony, places to stay in Aberdeen and directions to campus.
Disability Accommodations
Johnson Fine Arts Center (winter commencement)
- Accessible parking near main entrance - see JFAC Parking Map
- Wheelchair accessible, including restrooms
- Wheelchair spaces available next to regular seats
- Accessible entrances located on east and west sides
- Assisted listening devices available
- Sign language interpreters available; contact Doris Stusiak (below) in advance
- Service animals welcome
Barnett Center (spring commencement)
- Wheelchair accessible, including restrooms
- Wheelchair spaces on floor next to chair rows
- Accessible entrance and parking located on north side, accessed from State Street
- Sign language interpreters available; contact Doris Stusiak (below) in advance
- Service animals welcome
Information and Assistance
If you have questions about accessibility or need additional accommodations, please contact:
- Academic Affairs Administrative Assistant Judy Lapka, judy.lapka@northern.edu or 605-626-2524; or
- Disability Services Director Doris Stusiak, doris.stusiak@northern.edu or 605-626-2371
Commencement DVDs
DVD recordings of the entire ceremony are available through NSU Media Services. Cost is $2 for NSU faculty, staff and students and $10 for all others. Postage cost will be added if applicable.