Hooding 2021 Emails
Friday, June 11, 2021 | Reminder: TGS Hooding Ceremony Details for Graduates
Dear participating graduates,
We are excited to welcome you to our PhD and MFA hooding ceremony tomorrow (Saturday, June 12) at 2:00 PM CDT in Ryan Fieldhouse.
To ensure a smooth and successful event, we have compiled the following information and helpful tips for you and your guests.
The hooding ceremony will take place in Ryan Fieldhouse at 2333 Campus Drive, Evanston, IL 60208. Ryan Fieldhouse is located on the north end of the Evanston campus to the east of Lincoln Street and Sheridan Road.
The ceremony will be held on the practice football field, which is an indoor, climate-controlled space. You will be walking on artificial grass, and we recommend comfortable footwear. High heels are permitted but, if worn, you may be difficult to navigate the artificial grass.
Important note: Ryan Fieldhouse is NOT connected to or located near Ryan Field, which is on Central Street.
There is a parking garage attached to Ryan Fieldhouse that may be used free of charge on the day of the ceremony. It is Lot 105 on this Evanston campus parking map. The normal parking fees for all Northwestern University parking lots are waived during Commencement weekend.
Arrival TimeDoors will open at 1:00 PM CDT. Please arrive no later than 1:30 PM CDT to ensure you have sufficient to time to check in and find your assigned seat before the start of the ceremony. Graduates and guests should use the northwest entrance (next to the parking garage) and take the stairs or elevator to the second floor.
Important note: Only water is permitted inside Ryan Fieldhouse and will be provided.
You should have received an email from NU Athletics with four guest tickets on Friday, June 4. Please check your spam folder if you do not see it and be sure to forward these tickets to your guests. All guests must have electronic tickets displayed on a mobile device to enter the ceremony space. One device can be used to display all tickets for scanning.
Guest seating is in “pods of four” per graduate. Tickets will have assigned seats and guests must sit in their assigned seats. Children under 3 who can sit in a lap do not require a ticket.
Important note: If you or one of your guests are unable to provide the tickets for your party on a mobile device, please bring printed copies to be collected.
When you arrive, please go to the second floor then proceed down the corridor to the right of the indoor football field where the ceremony will be held. A graduate check-in station will be located across from the restrooms. You must check in to receive your seat assignment and ceremony card. Please review this card upon receipt to make sure all of the information is correct.
You will then proceed to your assigned seat on the field. Seating for graduates is assigned and based on your hooding order. There will be a small gift bag under your seat; please remember to take it with you when leaving or give it to your guests to hold on to before the ceremony begins.
Important note: Please do not lose your ceremony card. You will hand it to the reader of names before crossing the stage during the ceremony.
You must wear regalia and a face mask to participate in the ceremony.
Regalia that was shipped to Norris Bookstore must be picked up by 2:00 PM CDT on Friday, June 11. Please direct any questions about your regalia order to the Norris Bookstore by calling 847.491.3992 or emailing Steve Hannen.
The Illinois Department of Public Health and Northwestern University require everyone to wear face masks indoors. Even if the state moves to Phase 5 on Friday, June 11, this requirement will remain in place for graduation weekend. When you check in for the ceremony, you will receive a purple-colored face mask to complement your regalia.
Important note: Please wear the tassel on the left side of the cap (MFAs) or tam (PhDs) and remember to remove it and leave it on your seat before approaching the stage to be hooded.
Please familiarize yourself with these hooding instructions prior to the ceremony.
Important note: We understand everyone may have a different comfort level with an in-person ceremony taking place during a pandemic. If you do not wish to be hooded on stage, please wear your hood over your gown instead of carrying it in your hand to denote you do not wish to be hooded. We also recommend nods of acknowledgment instead of hugs or handshakes. As a reminder, face masks must be worn at all times during the ceremony except by our speakers and readers of names when they are at the podiums.
Please familiarize yourself with this ceremony map outlining the walking paths. When it is time for your row to line up near the stage, you will exit your row from the right. After you are hooded, you will proceed off the stage and reenter your row from the opposite side. Marshals and TGS staff members will help guide you.
Hold on to your ceremony card until it is your turn to be hooded. You will hand it to a marshal once you reach the stage and they will give it to the reader of names.
There will be a faculty recessional at the end of the ceremony, followed by a graduate recessional. These recessionals will have different exit routes, and graduates will be led directly outside of the building.
Face masks must be worn by everyone while inside Ryan Fieldhouse. Please avoid campus if you are experiencing COVID-19-related symptoms. Testing is not required, but it is strongly encouraged and offered to graduates participating in any Northwestern ceremonies. Please see the COVID-19 Precautions section of our TGS June 2021 PhD and MFA Hooding Ceremony FAQs for more information.
LivestreamThere will be a link on the homepage of our TGS website on Saturday, June 12 that will direct viewers to a livestream of the ceremony, which will be closed-captioned. You also can access the livestream through a personalized graduation recognition webpage, which you will receive later this week.
Commencement AppThe Graduation Weekend 2021 Guidebook provides information about all of Northwestern’s graduation events, ceremonies, and start times. Connect to the Guidebook on any device.
Social Media HashtagsPlease use #NU2020 and #TGSatNU when sharing your ceremony day experiences on social media.
After the Hooding CeremonyThere is no formal reception after the hooding ceremony, but everyone will receive grab-and-go refreshments when exiting the venue and may reunite with others outside based on individual comfort level. To help ensure everyone’s safety, we ask everyone to exit Ryan Fieldhouse immediately after the hooding ceremony.
The University has designated the north service driveway that runs the length of the Fieldhouse as a gathering location after the ceremony. It spans from the street to the beach. The beach end of the driveway may make a nice spot for photos.
Please visit our TGS June 2021 PhD and MFA Hooding Ceremony FAQs for more information.
We look forward to celebrating your achievement on Saturday! Please email TGS Events & Outreach Manager Victoria Williams with any additional questions.
Tuesday, June 8, 2021 | TGS Hooding Ceremony Details for Graduates
Dear participating graduates,
We are excited to welcome you to our PhD and MFA hooding ceremony on Saturday, June 12 at 2:00 PM CDT in Ryan Fieldhouse.
To ensure a smooth and successful event, we have compiled the following information and helpful tips for you and your guests.
The hooding ceremony will take place in Ryan Fieldhouse at 2333 Campus Drive, Evanston, IL 60208. Ryan Fieldhouse is located on the north end of the Evanston campus to the east of Lincoln Street and Sheridan Road.
The ceremony will be held on the practice football field, which is an indoor, climate-controlled space. You will be walking on artificial grass, and we recommend comfortable footwear. High heels are permitted but, if worn, you may be difficult to navigate the artificial grass.
Important note: Ryan Fieldhouse is NOT connected to or located near Ryan Field, which is on Central Street.
There is a parking garage attached to Ryan Fieldhouse that may be used free of charge on the day of the ceremony. It is Lot 105 on this Evanston campus parking map. The normal parking fees for all Northwestern University parking lots are waived during Commencement weekend.
Arrival TimeDoors will open at 1:00 PM CDT. Please arrive no later than 1:30 PM CDT to ensure you have sufficient to time to check in and find your assigned seat before the start of the ceremony. Graduates and guests should use the northwest entrance (next to the parking garage) and take the stairs or elevator to the second floor.
Important note: Only water is permitted inside Ryan Fieldhouse and will be provided.
You should have received an email from NU Athletics with four guest tickets on Friday, June 4. Please check your spam folder if you do not see it and be sure to forward these tickets to your guests. All guests must have electronic tickets displayed on a mobile device to enter the ceremony space. One device can be used to display all tickets for scanning.
Guest seating is in “pods of four” per graduate. Tickets will have assigned seats and guests must sit in their assigned seats. Children under 3 who can sit in a lap do not require a ticket.
Important note: If you or one of your guests are unable to provide the tickets for your party on a mobile device, please bring printed copies to be collected.
When you arrive, please go to the second floor then proceed down the corridor to the right of the indoor football field where the ceremony will be held. A graduate check-in station will be located across from the restrooms. You must check in to receive your seat assignment and ceremony card. Please review this card upon receipt to make sure all of the information is correct.
You will then proceed to your assigned seat on the field. Seating for graduates is assigned and based on your hooding order. There will be a small gift bag under your seat; please remember to take it with you when leaving or give it to your guests to hold on to before the ceremony begins.
Important note: Please do not lose your ceremony card. You will hand it to the reader of names before crossing the stage during the ceremony.
You must wear regalia and a face mask to participate in the ceremony.
Regalia that was shipped to Norris Bookstore must be picked up by 2:00 PM CDT on Friday, June 11. Please direct any questions about your regalia order to the Norris Bookstore by calling 847.491.3992 or emailing Steve Hannen.
The Illinois Department of Public Health and Northwestern University require everyone to wear face masks indoors. Even if the state moves to Phase 5 on Friday, June 11, this requirement will remain in place for graduation weekend. When you check in for the ceremony, you will receive a purple-colored face mask to complement your regalia.
Important note: Please wear the tassel on the left side of the cap (MFAs) or tam (PhDs) and remember to remove it and leave it on your seat before approaching the stage to be hooded.
Please familiarize yourself with these hooding instructions prior to the ceremony.
Important note: We understand everyone may have a different comfort level with an in-person ceremony taking place during a pandemic. If you do not wish to be hooded on stage, please wear your hood over your gown instead of carrying it in your hand to denote you do not wish to be hooded. We also recommend nods of acknowledgment instead of hugs or handshakes. As a reminder, face masks must be worn at all times during the ceremony except by our speakers and readers of names when they are at the podiums.
Please familiarize yourself with this ceremony map outlining the walking paths. When it is time for your row to line up near the stage, you will exit your row from the right. After you are hooded, you will proceed off the stage and reenter your row from the opposite side. Marshals and TGS staff members will help guide you.
Hold on to your ceremony card until it is your turn to be hooded. You will hand it to a marshal once you reach the stage and they will give it to the reader of names.
There will be a faculty recessional at the end of the ceremony, followed by a graduate recessional. These recessionals will have different exit routes, and graduates will be led directly outside of the building.
Face masks must be worn by everyone while inside Ryan Fieldhouse. Please avoid campus if you are experiencing COVID-19-related symptoms. Testing is not required, but it is strongly encouraged and offered to graduates participating in any Northwestern ceremonies. Please see the COVID-19 Precautions section of our TGS June 2021 PhD and MFA Hooding Ceremony FAQs for more information.
LivestreamThere will be a link on the homepage of our TGS website on Saturday, June 12 that will direct viewers to a livestream of the ceremony, which will be closed-captioned. You also can access the livestream through a personalized graduation recognition webpage, which you will receive later this week.
Commencement AppThe Graduation Weekend 2021 Guidebook provides information about all of Northwestern’s graduation events, ceremonies, and start times. Connect to the Guidebook on any device.
Social Media HashtagsPlease use #NU2020 and #TGSatNU when sharing your ceremony day experiences on social media.
After the Hooding CeremonyThere is no formal reception after the hooding ceremony, but everyone will receive grab-and-go refreshments when exiting the venue and may reunite with others outside based on individual comfort level. To help ensure everyone’s safety, we ask everyone to exit Ryan Fieldhouse immediately after the hooding ceremony.
The University has designated the north service driveway that runs the length of the Fieldhouse as a gathering location after the ceremony. It spans from the street to the beach. The beach end of the driveway may make a nice spot for photos.
Please visit our TGS June 2021 PhD and MFA Hooding Ceremony FAQs for more information.
We look forward to celebrating your achievement on Saturday! Please email TGS Events & Outreach Manager Victoria Williams with any additional questions.
Thursday, May 27, 2021 | Guest Ticket Update for TGS Hooding Ceremony Graduates
The following message was released only to PhD and MFA graduates participating in The Graduate School's annual hooding ceremony.
Dear participating graduates,
We are excited to welcome you to our PhD and MFA hooding ceremony on Saturday, June 12 at 2:00 PM CDT in Ryan Fieldhouse.
Your guest tickets will be issued on or before Friday, June 4. In addition, regalia orders have begun to ship and will arrive soon. If you do not receive your regalia by Monday, June 7, please email me to let me know.
TGS is issuing all participating graduates four tickets each, regardless of how many tickets you previously requested.
Please note the following:
- Tickets will be sent to you at this email address: [see original email for address] to forward along to your guests.
- You may use 0-4 of the tickets issued to you based on your individual needs.
- Graduates are not eligible for more than 4 guest tickets.
- A ticket is required to enter the ceremony.
- Participating graduates do not need a ticket but must wear regalia.
- Tickets must be scanned from a mobile device.*
- Guest seating will be in “pods of four” per graduate to accommodate social distancing.
- Tickets will have assigned seats and guests must sit in their assigned seats.
- Children under 3 who can sit in a lap do not require a ticket.
* If you or one of your guests are unable to provide the tickets for your party on a mobile device, please bring printed copies to be collected.
We will provide some “day of” details and reminders in the coming weeks. Please also visit our TGS June 2021 PhD and MFA Hooding Ceremony FAQs.
Please email me if you have any additional questions.
Sincerely,
Victoria Williams
Events & Outreach Manager
The Graduate School
Northwestern University
Thursday, May 13, 2021 | Hooding Ceremony: Participation Deadlines and Other Updates
The following message was released only to PhD and MFA graduates participating in The Graduate School's annual hooding ceremony.
Dear Graduate,
We look forward to celebrating your graduation at our PhD and MFA hooding ceremony on Saturday, June 12 at 2:00 PM in Ryan Fieldhouse. Please note the following important deadlines and updates:
- Sunday, May 16 is the last day to purchase ship-to-address regalia and order up to four guest tickets.
- Regalia must be worn for the ceremony.
- Additional information about regalia may be found on our TGS website.
- You should have received the good news from the Commencement Office yesterday that graduates are now able to order four guest tickets each instead of two tickets.
- If you already ordered guest tickets, please search your email for your “2021 Convocation Registration – Receipt” confirmation from commencement@northwestern.edu. This message contains an editable link, which you can use to update your guest ticket request.
- The deadline remains Sunday, May 16 at 11:59 PM CDT for all ticket requests.
- Here is the final participant list for our TGS 2021 PhD and MFA hooding ceremony; we are excited to welcome 169 graduates and 47 graduate faculty members.
- We will still have one faculty volunteer hood all participating graduates from each program. This will minimize the faculty presence required, ensure all faculty hooders have regalia, and enable all faculty members to sit together on the stage (in a socially distanced manner).
- If you notice any discrepancies with or have any questions about the attached list, please notify me immediately.
- The Intent to Participate form closed on Friday, May 7. To ensure an equitable experience, late submissions can no longer be considered.
- You should have received a link from the Commencement Office to record your name in NameCoach.
- The email was sent from no-reply@name-coach.com and the Subject line is “You've been added to a new NameCoach Name Page."
- Please be sure to record your name to assist our readers of names with the correct pronunciation.
- The deadline to record your name is Sunday, May 16.
- If you encounter any issues, please notify me immediately.
- Please refer to our TGS June 2021 PhD and MFA Hooding Ceremony FAQs for additional information about parking, ticket requirements, and other commonly asked questions.
Sincerely,
Victoria Williams
Events & Outreach Manager
The Graduate School
Northwestern University
Thursday, April 29, 2021 | Hooding Ceremony: Participation Deadlines and Other Updates
Our records indicate that you are eligible to participate in The Graduate School's in-person PhD and MFA hooding ceremony on Saturday, June 12 at 2:00 PM in Ryan Fieldhouse.
By now, you should have received an Intent to Participate form from The Graduate School via Northwestern Qualtrics. If you have not received an Intent to Participate form, please check your spam folder or email me at victoria.williams@northwestern.edu to request the link. The Intent to Participate form must be submitted on or before Friday, May 7 to participate in the 2021 hooding ceremony.
Below are some additional details to help inform your decision:
- Please note that regalia is required for the hooding ceremony. The deadline to purchase regalia is Sunday, May 2.
- When purchasing regalia, TGS PhD and MFA graduates should choose The Graduate School from the drop-down menu for their “sub school” and then select their degree type.
- Additional information about regalia for PhD and MFA graduates participating in our hooding ceremony may be found on our TGS website.
- For graduate students with financial need, please complete this form to apply for financial assistance for regalia by Friday, April 30 for full consideration. If you have questions about financial assistance for regalia, please email commencement@northwestern.edu.
- The regalia ordering system is managed by the University's Commencement Office. Please email commencement@northwestern.edu with any questions about regalia purchases
- Each participating graduate may request tickets for up to two guests, who will be seated together in assigned “pods” to accommodate social distancing.
- You will receive a separate link to request tickets after submitting the Intent to Participate form.
- The event size and ticket limitations apply to all gatherings, regardless of the size of the venue or program.
- This decision is predicated on the current and anticipated health and safety conditions outlined by public health guidelines.
- Due to the complexities of planning these events, Northwestern is unable to provide additional tickets, even if there is a shift in state guidance before Graduation Weekend.
- All guests will have assigned seats and will receive electronic tickets after Tuesday, June 1.
- These tickets must be printed or presented electronically and scanned to gain entry to the venue.
Sincerely,
Victoria Williams
Events & Outreach Manager
The Graduate School
Northwestern University
Friday, April 9, 2021 | TGS PhD and MFA In-Person Hooding Ceremony on June 12
Dear 2019–20 and 2020–21 PhD and MFA graduates,
Based on the April 6 University announcement, The Graduate School plans to host an in-person PhD and MFA hooding ceremony on Saturday, June 12 at 2:00 PM in Ryan Fieldhouse following all University and public health guidelines.
Our records indicate you are eligible to participate in this in-person ceremony. Here is what we currently know and can share to help inform your decision on whether or not you wish to participate:
Ceremony Eligibility
Both 2019–20 and 2020–21 PhD and MFA graduates—Summer (September) 2019 through Spring (June) 2021—are invited to attend this combined hooding ceremony.
- For 2019–20 PhD and MFA graduates, this combined hooding ceremony will be in lieu of the Class of 2020 Graduation Celebration that will take place on Saturday, June 12 at 9:00 AM at Ryan Field.
- Summer (September) 2021 graduates and beyond will be invited to participate in next year’s hooding ceremony in June 2022.
Partner School Participation
As in previous years, The Graduate School’s hooding ceremony is open to PhD and MFA graduates of TGS programs in the following schools and programs:
- Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences
- Kellogg School of Management
- School of Communication
- Feinberg School of Medicine
- TGS Interdisciplinary Programs
All other PhD graduates, along with TGS master of arts (MA), master of science (MS), and master of public health (MPH) graduates, are included in the ceremonies of their home program schools.
COVID-19 Vaccinations
A COVID-19 vaccination is recommended but not required to participate in or attend the hooding ceremony. Disclosure of vaccination status is not required.
- Face masks will be required according to the public health guidelines in place at the time of the ceremony.
- Graduates will receive a Northwestern purple face mask onsite to complement their regalia.
- Face masks and hand sanitizer also will be available onsite for guests.
- Social distancing will be enforced according to the public health guidelines in place at the time of the ceremony.
- Tickets are required to enter the ceremony venue to ensure capacity limits are adhered to as part of our COVID-19 planning.
Hooding Experience
The hooding ceremony is a special recognition ceremony for PhD and MFA degree candidates during which a Northwestern graduate faculty member places the doctoral hood over the head of each graduate, signifying the graduate’s success in completing the graduate program and welcoming them to the academy of scholars. As of now, Risk Management has approved that physical hoodings may take place during the ceremony with face masks on.
Faculty Representation
One graduate faculty volunteer from each program will hood all graduates from that program to reduce the faculty presence required on stage and help ensure the safety of both faculty and graduates.
Guest Tickets
Each graduate will receive at least two guest tickets. The University is currently determining the exact number of tickets we can provide based on the latest public health guidelines and capacity restrictions for ticketed events. We will update you as soon as possible and provide a link to the ticketing website. Guests without tickets will not be permitted to enter the ceremony venue.
Livestream
The hooding ceremony will be live-streamed for those who are unable to attend in person. We will provide more details by early June.
Regalia
Please note that regalia is required to participate in the hooding ceremony. The deadline to purchase regalia is Sunday, May 2.
- MFA graduates will purchase the master’s package, which includes a cap, gown, tassel with signet, and hood.
- PhD graduates will purchase the doctoral package, which includes a tam, gown, tassel with signet, and hood.
- PhD graduates may purchase either the "keeper" gown doctoral package or the finer-quality academic regalia.
- No additional accessories are required to participate in the hooding ceremony. (Note, the stole option is worn by bachelor’s degree recipients in lieu of a hood.)
- The regalia is yours to keep upon purchase; there is not a regalia rental option this year.
- Additional information about regalia may be found on our TGS website.
University Commencement
Northwestern's all-University commencement ceremony will take place virtually on Monday, June 14 at 11:00 AM CDT. Please visit the Commencement website for more information.
All Summer (September) 2020, Fall (December) 2020, Winter (March) 2021, and Spring (June) 2021 TGS graduates will be recognized virtually in conjunction with this commencement ceremony regardless of whether you are able to attend the hooding ceremony in person on June 12. Please note that all Summer (September) 2019, Fall (December) 2019, Winter (March) 2020, and Spring (June) 2020 graduates were recognized virtually last year.
Intent to Participate Form
You will receive an Intent to Participate form the week of April 12. Once you receive this form, please complete the information requested no later than Friday, May 7 if you would like to participate in the hooding ceremony in person on June 12. Please note these decisions may be subject to change and are dependent on public health guidelines at the time of the ceremony.
Congratulations on reaching this milestone celebration in your academic journey! We will provide more information in the weeks ahead. If you have any immediate questions, please email me at victoria.williams@northwestern.edu.
Best regards,
Victoria
Victoria Williams
Events & Outreach Manager
The Graduate School
Northwestern University