Senator Kesha Ram Hinsdale

Senator Kesha Ram Hinsdale, a Democratic senator serving Vermont in the Chittenden District, was born in Los Angeles and attended public schools in Santa Monica, California. She received a B.S. in Natural Resource Planning and a B.A. in Political Science from the University of Vermont in 2008, where she was Student Government Association President and graduated magna cum laude. Senator Ram Hinsdale earned her Master of Public Administration from the Harvard Kennedy School of Government in 2018. Her career in Vermont has spanned preschool education, legal advocacy for victims of domestic violence and municipal civic engagement.

Senator Ram Hinsdale currently works to build social equity and inclusion in non-profit organizations, businesses, school districts, and municipalities. She served in the Vermont House of Representatives on behalf of Burlington, Chittenden District 6-4 from 2008 to 2016, where she sat on the House General, Housing and Military Affairs, and Ways and Means Committees, and as Vice Chair of the House Natural Resources and Energy Committee. She has also served as Co-Chair of the Vermont Attorney General’s Immigration Task Force, and as a member of the boards of Emerge Vermont, the Main Street Alliance of Vermont, Planned Parenthood of Northern New England, the Regenerative Food Network, and the Vermont Natural Resources Council. Senator Ram Hinsdale lives with her husband, Jacob Hinsdale, who grew up on Country Cedars Farm in Charlotte, and their dog, Miso.

Ordering Flowers

If you or your family would like to pre-order a bouquet of flowers for the event, please call our local florist, Suzanne Taylor at Artistic Gardens, before May 12, 2022, at 800.659.1446. Phone orders only. You may pick up your bouquet the morning of Commencement, Sunday, May 15, 2022, prior to 11 a.m., at Northern Vermont University-Lyndon. Suzanne will be set up in the theater lobby (near the brunch).

Suzanne will also have bouquets available to purchase on the day of the event, but cash or check would be required. No credit cards transactions accepted on site.

Number of Guests and Tickets

Good news! No tickets are required for NVU-Lyndon’s Commencement ceremony. Each graduate may invite up to 10 family members/guests to Commencement.

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 Alexander Twilight Theatre, 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 gown?

To participate in May Commencement, you must wear a cap and gown. To order your cap and gown, please go the Summit Bookstore website and order your cap and gown before April 22, 2022. Here is the link: Northern Vermont University Gowns for Graduation. Please be prepared to pay for the cap and gown at the time you order. No three-dimensional objects will be allowed on tops of caps. It is expected that all graduates will dress appropriately for the occasion.

Where and when can I pick up my cap and gown?

You may pick up your regalia at the Robing Ceremony on May 5, 2022, in the Theatre Lobby between 2:30-4 p.m. You may also pick up your gown the day of Commencement, after 10 a.m., in the Rita Bole Gym where you will be lining up. Please, no family members allowed in the Rita Bole Gym after 10 a.m.

Where do Families Park on Sunday, May 15?

Since most underclassmen will no longer be on campus, there should be sufficient parking for all visitors on the campus. Please carpool when possible. Public Safety officials will be on campus prior to the ceremony to direct guests to available parking areas. Please enter from College Road or McGoff Hill Road. Shuttle service and/or accommodations will be available for those unable to walk distances.

Where do Graduates Park on Sunday, May 15?

In order to create maximum space in parking lots for families, we request that graduating students please park in the Rita Bole Complex or Wheelock parking lots. Thank you!

May I Bring a Pet?

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

Where Should my Family Make Hotel Reservations?

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 motels, hotels and bed and breakfasts can be found at www.nekchamber.com. Three of the larger hotels in the area to consider are The Comfort Inn & Suites (802.748.1500), the Fairbanks Inn (802.748.5666), and the new Burke Mountain Hotel & Conference Center (reserve@skiburke.com). Other accommodations to consider are The Wildflower Inn, with spectacular views and an in-house restaurant, at www.wildflowerinn.com. All hotels are located approximately 15 to 20 minutes from the campus.

Robing Ceremony, May 5, 2022

The Robing Ceremony, held at 4 p.m. on Thursday, May 5, 2022, in the Alexander Twilight Theatre, is the official kick-off ceremony to Commencement. Robes are donned, awards are given, a student speaker is invited to address the class, and the main speaker is a faculty member chosen by the senior class. There is a post-celebration reception with light refreshments, and a class photo is taken by a professional photographer.

Family members are welcome to attend this festive occasion, but please limit guests to four. No tickets are needed. This event is also livestreamed for any family members or friends watching from home.

Senior Week Activities, May 5-14, 2022

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. Eligible seniors were sent a link in their campus emails to register for Senior Week. Click here for the schedule and more information.

Click here to donate to the Senior Week Fund.

Click here to learn more about the Class of 2022 Senior Class Gift Campaign.

For questions about Senior Week and other related activities, please contact Sara Duprey Lussier ’02, Director of Annual Giving and Alumni Relations, at Sara.Lussier@NorthernVermont.edu or 802.626.6426.

Graduation Rehearsal, May 13, 2022

Rehearsal is on Friday, May 13, 2022, at 2 p.m., starting in the Rita Bole Gymnasium. Rehearsal is the time to get important information about commencement, to practice the processional, and to understand how you will receive your diploma by taking a practice walk across the platform.

What if I was a December Graduate? Do I Have to go to Rehearsal?

If you were a December graduate, it may be difficult for you to make the rehearsal, but this does not reduce its importance. If you do not attend rehearsal, you should plan to arrive at the Rita Bole Gym a little earlier on Sunday (by 10 a.m.) to receive full instructions from the Registrar’s staff.

*Important reminder: Alcohol is not allowed at commencement.

Will the Ceremony be Videotaped?

A professional video production crew will tape the entire ceremony. Kingdom Access Television (KATV) will produce DVDs of the ceremony. Order forms for KATV will be available at the ceremony. Contact information: http://katv.org, 802.751.8103, or Kingdom Access Television, 515 Bay Street, Suite 202, St. Johnsbury, VT 05819.

What About Photographs?

In addition to the videographer, 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 Graduation Images at www.gradimages.com or call them at 800.424.3686.

My Family Would Like to Take Photographs During the Ceremony. What do I Need to Know?

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

When will I get my diploma?

NVU-Lyndon will be mailing ALL diplomas to graduate’s home addresses after the ceremony. This process allows NVU-Lyndon to move to a more secure system in delivering diplomas. Diplomas will arrive at your home approximately six weeks after the May 2022 Commencement Ceremony.

On the platform at the Commencement Ceremony, in recognition of this special celebration, graduates will receive their 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 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. Please visit www.iwantmytranscript.com to order your transcript. You must have met all financial obligations to the university 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
• Failure to complete degree requirements
• Transcripts not received from other colleges attended
• Incomplete grades not submitted
• Not passing the required graduation standards

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. By Friday, April 22, 2022, please make sure that all outstanding accounts with the Student Services Center, Library, Public Safety, Residence Life, etc., are resolved. 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

The session will take about 20-30 minutes to complete. If you have questions regarding your Federal Direct Loans, please contact Student Services at 802.626.6396.

The federal exit counseling requirement for the Federal Perkins loan program is also completed online. Visit www.ecsi.net >Login to My Account using your account number and ECSI pin number > Click on the “Exit Interview” link.  From the list of Pending Exit Interviews, select the appropriate exit to complete and follow the instructions provided.

If you have questions regarding your Perkins loan(s), please contact Deneen Russell at 802.635.1215.

I live on campus. Is there anything else I need to know?

Graduating seniors must make arrangements with residence hall staff to check out of their residence hall room before Commencement on Sunday, May 15, 2022. There will be further information provided regarding each residence halls check out procedure in May. Regular meal service in Stevens Dining Hall will end with dinner on Thursday, May 12, 2022. Also, mailbox keys must be turned in by May 13, 2022.

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, continued use of the library, 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-Lyndon Alumni Association, please watch for an email invitation and postcard from Career Services by late fall 2022 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 search! Feel free to update us with your new contact information at Careers@NorthernVermont.edu.