NVU is excited to welcome U.S. Representative Becca Balint as this year’s guest speaker for both the Johnson and Lyndon commencements.

Representative Balint is a mom, teacher, and progressive leader, and is the first woman and openly LGBTQ person to represent her home state of Vermont. As the daughter of working-class, immigrant parents, Balint is deeply committed to defending American democracy and protecting vulnerable communities. A deep sense of justice, empathy, and service has guided her career from the beginning — first as an educator who taught middle school in Windham County for fourteen years, then as an activist and State Senator, and ultimately as the President Pro Tempore in 2021.

In Congress, Rep. Balint is a member of two Oversight Subcommittees: Health Care and Financial Services, and the Government Operations and the Federal Workforce Subcommittee where she was recently named Vice Ranking Member.  She is Vice Chair of the Congressional Caucus for the Equal Rights Amendment, Congressional Progressive Caucus Vice Chair for New Members, and a Co-Chair of the Congressional Equality Caucus, and was named to the Budget Committee for the 118^th Congress.

Becca received a B.A. from Smith College, an M.Ed. from Harvard University in 1995, and an M.A. in History from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst in 2001.

Guests and Tickets

Tickets will not be required this year. Seating under the tent is on a first come, first served basis.

Is there special seating available?

Yes. Some students have parents, grandparents or other guests who may need special assistance at the ceremony; thus, we remove chairs to make spaces available for wheelchairs under the tent as needed. We also offer a live broadcast in our Dibden Theater, which is a climate-controlled space with easy access to restrooms. This has proven to be a viable option for some guests when they find it too cold, too hot, or too crowded under the tent.

Where can I order my cap and gown?

To participate in May Commencement, you must wear a cap and gown. Ordering details can be found here.

Please be prepared to pay for the cap and gown at the time you order. Orders need to be placed no later than April 18, 2023 to ensure receipt of regalia before the event. No three-dimensional objects will be allowed on tops of caps. It is expected that all graduates will dress appropriately for the occasion.

Where do families park?

Since most underclassmen will no longer be on campus, there should be sufficient parking for all visitors on the campus. Please carpool when possible. Gates will open at 2 p.m. and parking and seating will be on a first-come, first-served basis. Handicapped parking and seating will be available. Plan on arriving before 3:30 p.m. Complimentary coffee bar will be available throughout the morning for guests. Public Safety officials will be on campus prior to the ceremony to direct guests to available parking areas. Please enter from College Road and follow the directions of the Public Safety officials. Shuttle service and/or accommodations will be available for those unable to walk distances.

May I bring a pet?

Please leave your pet at home. Do not leave your pet in your vehicle. The only animals allowed at the Commencement ceremony are service animals.

Where should my family make a hotel reservation?

If you have out-of-town guests coming who will need to stay in the area, we suggest you make hotel reservations as soon as possible. A list of area accommodations can be found on our website.

Will there be a professional photographer?

A professional photographer from Graduation Images will record the moment when graduates are awarded his/her diploma folder. Approximately one week after the ceremony, a passport-sized, full-color proof will be mailed to the home address on file. There is no obligation to purchase the photograph. If you do wish to get prints of the photo, you will have the option of ordering from a variety of enlargement packages.

For more information, please contact www.gradimages.com or 800.424.3686.

My family would like to take photographs during the ceremony.

Guests are welcome to take photographs. They are simply asked to refrain from blocking the aisles or interfering with the other guests’ views of the ceremony. Please be respectful of all graduates and guests. There will also be plenty of opportunity to take photographs after the ceremony.

Honors Convocation

Honors Convocation will be held on Tuesday, May 2, 2023, starting at 3 p.m. in the Dibden Center for the Arts. Awards will be given to more than 200 students for academic achievement and outstanding performance across departments and programs. Over $112,000 in scholarships and endowments will be awarded to students who have made impressive achievements in their department, program, or in general. The entire Johnson campus community as well as students’ families are invited to this special event and encouraged to attend to help us support our students.

Senior Week Activities

After years of tests, deadlines, and to-do lists, Senior Week is a series of social events and activities for graduating seniors, designed to provide a relaxing way for seniors to connect and make memories as a class before graduation. Click here for the schedule and more information.

For questions about Senior Week  and other related activities, please contact Michele Whitmore, Director of Annual Giving and Alumni Relations, at Michele.Whitmore@NorthernVermont.edu or 802.635.1200.

When will I get my diploma?

NVU-Johnson will be mailing ALL diplomas to graduates’ home addresses after the ceremony. Diplomas will arrive at your home approximately six-eight weeks after the Commencement Ceremony.

On the platform at the ceremony, in recognition of this special celebration, graduates will receive the diploma jackets with a signed congratulatory letter from the president.

Please note: If you need to have your diploma mailed to a different address other than the home address we have on file, please email the NVU Student Administrative Services at StudentServices@NorthernVermont.edu. This will help us to get your diploma to you in the most secure and timely manner.

How do I get my transcript?

Transcripts (for May graduates) should be available during the first or second week of June. Order your NVU transcript here. You must have met all financial obligations to the University in order to process a transcript request.

Is there any reason why I might not graduate?

The most common reasons for students being disappointed at the last minute are:

• Final cumulative average falls below 2.0; 3.0 masters
• Failure to complete degree requirements
• Transcripts not received from other colleges attended
• Incomplete grades not submitted
• Not passing the required graduation standards

I live on campus, is there anything else I need to know?

Regular meal service in the dining hall will end with dinner on Friday May, 12, 2023.

Residence halls close on Friday, May 12, 2023.

Graduating seniors can make arrangements with Res Life staff to remain until Saturday, check out of their rooms before Commencement and then enjoy their commencement afterwards.

Contact Residential Life if you have more questions NVUResidentialLife@NorthernVermont.edu or 802.635.1200.

What if I owe NVU money?

Occasionally a few students forget to clear all their accounts with the University. Don’t be one of them. Please make sure that all outstanding accounts with the Student Administrative Services, Library, Public Safety, Residence Life, etc., are resolved/paid. Diplomas and transcripts will be delayed if you have any outstanding accounts.

If I have a student loan, is there something I need to do?

If you have borrowed a Federal Student Loan, which would include a Direct Subsidized/Unsubsidized and/or Perkins Loan, federal regulations require that you complete mandatory exit counseling if you are graduating or dropping to below half time. The federal exit counseling requirement for the Federal Direct Loan program is completed online.

• Visit https://studentaid.gov
• Log in using your FSA ID and password
• Select “Manage Loans”
• Select “Complete Exit Counseling”
• Click “Start” next to the type of student you are

If you have questions regarding your Federal Direct Loans, please contact Student Administrative Services at StudentServices@NorthernVermont.edu.

Once you graduate you are an official member of the Alumni Association! Some of the benefits of being a member include the alumni online community, group savings on home and auto insurance, free admission at athletic events, continued support from Career Services, and invitations to regional alumni socials.
Stay connected with your alma mater through the Alumni Association! NorthernVermont.edu/Alumni.

As a newly minted member of the NVU-Johnson alumni, please watch for a postcard from Career Services in the late fall 2023 with a link to complete a quick Graduate Survey. Essentially, we would like to know what you are doing after graduation. Remember, career services is still here to support your career development after graduation, assisting you with your job searches, with resume review and more.