Commencement 2026

Spring Graduation Application Priority Deadline: Sunday, March 1, 2026

Online Reservations and Cap and Gown Ordering Opens: Yet to be determined

Online Reservations and Cap and Gown Ordering Closes: To be determined

Distinguished Faculty Award and Staff Award Nomination Deadline: April 1, 2026

Special Accommodations Request Deadline: Monday, May 4, 2026

Veteran's Recognition Deadline: Monday, April 27, 2025

Cap, Gown, & Grad Pack Distribution Date: To be determined

This pack will include your pre-ordered cap, gown, and tassel from Jostens, guest tickets, one parking pass for specific parking ramps nearby the venue, a name reader card for you to provide the correct pronunciation of your name at the ceremony, high honors medallions, and program specific stoles or cords for those who qualify.

Commencement Ceremony: Monday, May 18, 2025, Orchestra Hall, Minneapolis, 6:30PM

More information about cap and gown ordering will be sent to graduation application approved students' Normandale email account. 

For all other questions or concerns about Commencement, please email the team.

Honors

Normandale confers special awards to graduates* with a cumulative grade point average above 3.00. There are two levels of Commencement honors:

Honors: 3.00 - 3.49

High Honors: 3.50 or higher

Honors recipients receive a gold tassel. Additionally, high honors recipients receive a medallion.

For purposes of the commencement ceremony, honors for spring degree candidates are determined by the student’s cumulative Normandale GPA in college-level courses completed through fall semester. The final designation, as it appears on your transcript and diploma, will be based on grades earned in all Normandale college-level coursework.

*Note, honors are not awarded for certificate completers.

Honor Societies

We recognize members of Phi Theta Kappa honor society at Commencement via stoles and/or cords. Contact the honor society advisor or college representative for information about ordering special items.

Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) advisor: Renee Cortez, renee.cortez@normandale.edu

Tassels and Medallions

You will receive one tassel with your cap and gown. It’s yours to keep! Here’s what the different tassel colors mean:

Black & Red: Normandale graduate or certificate completer

Gold: Commencement Honors

You may purchase an additional program specific tassel via the Jostens's website:

White: Nursing

Lilac: Dental Hygiene

Veterans

Currently active and veteran service members are invited to be recognized at Commencement. For more information, please email the commencement team.

Distinguished Faculty Award & Staff Award

We invite graduates to nominate a staff or faculty member who made a difference during their time at Normandale. You will receive an email from the Commencement Committee to submit your nominations. The recipient of the award is announced and honored on the evening of commencement.

Faculty nominations include: Instructors, librarians, counselors etc.

Staff nominations include: Academic advisors, administrative assistants, Admissions, Academy of Math & Science advisors, Campus Store/Textbook Depot staff, Center for Experiential Education, Events, Facilities, Financial Aid, IT, Student Life, Student Services, TRIO, Tutoring Center Tutors, New Student Programs, Office for Students with Disabilities, Records & Registration, Veterans Affairs staff etc.

Please note that commencement photography services are provided by an independent third-party vendor. Your proofs will be available and a link to purchase prints and digital photos will be emailed to you after the ceremony.

All inquiries, purchases, and concerns related to photography should be directed to the vendor Legacies by Laura at legaciesbylaura@gmail.com or 612-360-0087.