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.

Number of Guests and Tickets

Although no tickets are required for NVU-Lyndon’s Commencement ceremony, graduates are encouraged to invite no more than 10 to 12 family members/guests to Commencement. Seating 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 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 to this website and order your cap and gown prior to March 28, 2023. 

Please be prepared to pay for the cap and gown at the time you order. Graduates may decorate their caps; however, any caps with inappropriate language or messaging will be confiscated. 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 4, 2023, in the Theatre Lobby between 1:30-3 p.m. You may also pick up your gown the day of Commencement, after 9 a.m., in the Rita Bole Gym where you will be lining up. Please, no family members allowed in the Rita Bole Gym after 9 a.m.

Where do families park on Sunday, May 14?

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 14?

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. All hotels are located approximately 15 to 20 minutes from the campus.

Robing Ceremony, May 4, 2023

The Robing Ceremony, held at 3 p.m. on Thursday, May 4, 2023, 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 8-13, 2023

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 2023 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 12, 2023

Rehearsal is on Friday, May 12, 2023, at 12:30-1:30 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. Please check to make sure you do not have any exams during this time.

What if I was a December graduate? Do I have to go to rehearsal?

Rehearsal is strongly encouraged for all graduates, but not required, as some students may not be on campus until the actual ceremony.  If you do not attend rehearsal, please arrive at the Rita Bole Gym on Sunday promptly at 9 a.m.

*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 their 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.

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 2023 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?

By Friday, April 21, 2023, 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
• Select “Complete Loan Counseling”
• Choose “Exit Counseling” from the selections
• Click “Start”

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.

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 14, 2023. 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 11, 2023. Also, mailbox keys must be turned in by May 12, 2023.

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