From the president’s office to student engagement, Northwestern State University of Louisiana is preparing for the upcoming graduation season. As arrangements move forward, there are several moving parts that make commencement ceremonies successful at NSU.
NSU will host three commencement ceremonies on May 14 and 15 in Prather Coliseum, honoring graduates from the College of Business and Technology; the College of Education and Human Development; the College of Nursing and School of Allied Health; the College of Arts and Sciences and the Louisiana Scholars’ College.
Barbara Prescott who works with the Office of the Registrar oversees the planning of graduation like the setup of the stage and seating. Prescott is also in charge of clearing candidates for graduation, printing cards with candidate information and getting graduates lined up for the ceremony.
“The Office of the Registrar coordinates with Physical Plant Services for ceremony setup, University Police for security and accommodations, the School of Creative and Performing Arts for the emcee and musicians, the Military Science Department for ROTC cadet participation and assistance, the Purple Jacket and Blue Key honor societies for their service assisting candidates during the ceremonies and vendors for professional photography services and lighting,” Prescott said.
Greg Handel, executive vice president and provost and dean of the graduate school, is responsible for presenting all candidates with their degrees, recognizing honor graduates along with those graduating with distinction and reading the names of graduate students who will receive their degrees.
According to Handel, commencement costs are relatively low outside of printing diplomas and cover expenses.
The NSU Foundation manages various programs, including scholarships, professorships and chair funds, fundraising and development operations, college and departmental support and other university-related programs, according to Laurie Morrow, executive director for the NSU Foundation.
“The NSU Foundation provides financial support for the spring and fall commencement ceremonies to provide a memorable experience for students and their families,” Morrow said.
Marcus Jones, executive vice president and chief operating officer for the University of Louisiana System, oversees operations for the nine universities in the UL System and noted how commencement ceremonies look different across the state.
“You have institutions that go all out and then you have institutions that — depending on budget — sometimes may not have as grand of an affair,” Jones said. “Overall, it’s a huge celebration for the student who has achieved this milestone in their life.”
As commencement approaches, those who play a key role in organizing the ceremonies reflect on the significance of the event.
“Graduation is a monumental event that marks the culmination of years of hard work and perseverance for our students,” Prescott said. “The importance of commencement ceremonies is evident in the high participation rate, the tears, the laughter, the pure joy we see in the faces of our graduates and their friends and family, as they celebrate this major life achievement.”
The upcoming commencement ceremonies at NSU are the result of careful planning and collaboration of many departments and individuals to ensure that every detail is accounted for.
