Commencement is a celebration to honor Normandale graduates. Held each year in May, commencement immediately follows the end of the spring semester.
Those eligible to participate in commencement include:
All graduates must wear appropriate apparel to participate in the ceremony. See below for participant information, and be sure to apply to graduate before reserving your cap and gown!
Spring Graduation Application Priority Deadline: Saturday, March 1, 2025
Online Reservations and Cap and Gown Ordering Opens: Information coming early Spring semester. Must complete graduation application before ordering.
Online Reservations and Cap and Gown Ordering Closes: Thursday, April 10, 2025 11:59pm
Distinguished Faculty Award and Staff Award Nomination Deadline: To be determined
Special Accommodations Request Deadline: Monday, May 5, 2025
Veteran's Recognition Deadline: Monday, April 28, 2025
Cap, Gown, & Grad Pack Distribution Date: Tuesday, May 6 & Wednesday, May 7, 2025; 10am-5pm in K1450- Kopp Student Center Upper Level
This pack will include your pre-ordered cap, gown, and tassel from Jostens, tickets (3-4 per grad after final grad count), one parking pass for specific parking ramps nearby the venue, a name reader card for you to provide the correct pronunciation of your name at the ceremony, high honors medallions, and program specific stoles or cords for those who qualify.
Commencement Ceremony: Monday, May 19, 2025, Orchestra Hall, Minneapolis, 6:30PM
Ceremony Photo Link Sent Out: To be determined
More information about cap and gown ordering coming in early Spring 2025.
For all other questions or concerns about Commencement, please email the team.
Normandale confers special awards to graduates* with a cumulative grade point average above 3.00. There are two levels of Commencement honors:
Honors: 3.00 - 3.49
High Honors: 3.50 or higher
Honors recipients receive a gold tassel. Additionally, high honors recipients receive a medallion.
For purposes of the commencement ceremony, honors for spring degree candidates are determined by the student’s cumulative Normandale GPA in college-level courses completed through fall semester. The final designation, as it appears on your transcript and diploma, will be based on grades earned in all Normandale college-level coursework.
*Note, honors are not awarded for certificate completers.
We recognize members of Phi Theta Kappa honor society at Commencement via stoles and/or cords. Contact the honor society advisor or college representative for information about ordering special items.
Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) advisor: Renee Cortez, renee.cortez@normandale.edu
You will receive one tassel with your cap and gown. It’s yours to keep! Here’s what the different tassel colors mean:
Black & Red: Normandale graduate or certificate completer
Gold: Commencement Honors
You may purchase an additional program specific tassel via the Josten's website:
White: Nursing
Lilac: Dental Hygiene
Currently active and veteran service members are invited to be recognized at Commencement. For more information, please email the commencement team.
We invite graduates to nominate a staff or faculty member who made a difference during their time at Normandale. You will receive an email from the Commencement Committee to submit your nominations. The recipient of the award is announced and honored on the evening of commencement.
Faculty nominations include: Instructors, librarians, counselors etc.
Staff nominations include: Academic advisors, administrative assistants, Admissions, Academy of Math & Science advisors, Campus Store/Textbook Depot staff, Center for Experiential Education, Events, Facilities, Financial Aid, IT, Student Life, Student Services, TRIO, Tutoring Center Tutors, New Student Programs, Office for Students with Disabilities, Records & Registration, Veterans Affairs staff etc.
Are you ready to graduate? Find out more about completion requirements, eligibility, deadlines, diplomas and more.
1st Floor, College Services
Hours: M-W 8 am - 5 pm; Th 10 am to 5 pm; F 8 am to 4:30 pm Closed weekends and holidays
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