Convocation Information

On the day of Convocation all NWP parking lots will be available for graduates and guests. All stalls are free on a first-come, first-parked basis.

• Dates: March 8, 2025 (Fairview) and June 13-14, 2025 (Grande Prairie)
• Time: Room opens at 9:00 a.m.
• Location: TBD

Students must wear academic regalia to be in the procession. Photo ID is required when you pick up your gown.

Academic dress has a long and storied history, symbolizing our link with the early development and traditions of higher learning. The design and colours of the gown, hoods and caps of the platform party represent their credential and alma mater.

Like post-secondary institutes worldwide, we continue the academic dress traditions through the gowns, hoods and caps worn by our graduates.

The Presidential gown is navy with navy velvet bib/chevrons and a colourful hood to incorporate all of Northwestern Polytechnic’s colours. The Board of Governors are represented in crimson gowns with navy bib/chevrons.

Northwestern Polytechnic graduates’ gowns, hoods, and caps represent the institution and the Academic School of the program from which they are graduating. The navy blue gowns represent NWP as an institution, and the different hood and tassel colours represent each Academic School.

• School of Business - royal blue
• School of Health - white
• School of Skilled Trades - gold
• School of Applied Science and Technology - crimson

Collaborative students receiving a degree will wear black gowns and the appropriate hood and a black cap.

Caps (mortarboards) are worn squarely on the head with the tassel to the right, switching the tassel to the left once you have shaken hands, and are exiting the stage.

Dresses under the academic gowns should be no longer than calf length. Please choose your shoes carefully, you will be required to walk up, and down stairs. Extremely high heels can cause you a problem.

Corsages and jewellery are not worn with academic gowns. If you need to bring a handbag, please leave it in the gowning up room (the room will be locked and secure). You will not be permitted to carry your handbag in the student procession.

Rental gowns, stoles and hoods must be returned after the ceremony. The caps and tassels are mementos and are yours to keep. Students who do not return academic regalia after the ceremony will be responsible for the total replacement costs.

Fairvew Campus: Once graduates have completed gowning up, they should remain in Notley Lounge for further instruction. The marshalls in this area will give directions about what activities you will need to do and then, following the photograph session will assemble you into line-ups for entrance into the ceremony.

Grande Prairie Campus: Once graduates have completed gowning up, they must proceed to room A211 for further instruction. The marshalls in this area will give directions about what activities you will need to do and then, following the photograph session will assemble you into line-ups for entrance into the ceremony.

A group photo of all graduates will be taken before the ceremonies. During the ceremony, a photographer will take a picture of each graduate as they are recognized on stage.

Photographs from Fairview 2024 Convocation are available for purchase. When prompted, please enter the following password to access the gallery.

• Fairview Convo March 9.24: 2024

Photographs from Grande Prairie 2024 Convocation will be available for purchase. When prompted, please enter the following password to access the gallery.

• June 13 and 14 Gallery: Grad2024

The marshalls will give graduands lineup instructions, stage etiquette, and the schedule of events before the ceremony.

Fairview Campus: After the ceremony, you and your guests are invited to the President's Tea in the Administrative Building Atrium. If your guests are new to NWP, consider showing them how to get to the area before you go to the gown-up room.

Grande Prairie Campus: After the ceremony, you and your guests are invited to the President's Tea for light refreshments in Pillars Cafeteria. If your guests are new to NWP, consider showing them how to get to the area before you go to the gown-up room.

If you or any of your guests have special needs, such as a wheelchair or walker, please contact us as soon as possible at Graduation@NWpolytech.ca so we can make the appropriate seating arrangements. We want to ensure that you or your guest is comfortable before admitting the general public into the venue.

Fairview Campus: A live stream of the ceremony will be set up outside of The Fred Speckeen Theatre.

Grande Prairie Campus: A live stream of the ceremony will be set up in room D208 for family and friends who are unable to secure a ticket. For those who need to leave the theatre to attend to their family, room B201 will be set up with toys, and a live stream of the ceremony.

Students will receive further information on guest tickets via email.

Graduating students attending Convocation do not require a ticket. Please only reserve tickets for your guests.

Northwestern Polytechnic is proud of its graduates and celebrates their success. As an NWP graduate, we may publish your name, program of studies information, and academic honours awarded to you in the Convocation Program. We often provide this information to the media and include it in other NWP publications. Please note that the ceremony may be recorded.