Commencement Ceremony
The 2024 Commencement Ceremony will be divided into two separate events on May 10 and be held in the Schuler Auditorium.
- The first ceremony will begin at 10 a.m. and include all graduation candidates for all academic programs (A.A. and A.S. degrees), excluding dual credit students.
- The second ceremony will begin at 1 p.m. and includes all students in dual credit, health professions and technical programs.
Commencement Ceremony Speaker
The Commencement Committee is pleased to announce that Dennis Grant will be the speaker for both Commencement ceremonies this year!
Dennis Grant is the president of the North Idaho College Alumni Association and has been a member of the Alumni Association Board of Directors for 15 years.
He is also a member of the NIC Wind Symphony and was president of the Associated Students of North Idaho College (ASNIC) in 1986-87.
Grant grew up in Coeur d’Alene and graduated from Coeur d’Alene High School in 1984. After high school, he attended NIC and transferred to the University of Idaho in 1987 and obtained a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics. He is currently a project manager for the City of Coeur d’Alene Engineering Department and has worked there for 25 years.
In his free time, Grant enjoys fishing with his friends, attending NIC basketball games and playing his trombone in the Coeur d’Alene Big Band. He has been married to his wife, Annette, for 28 years. Together, they have three children: a son and two daughters. His youngest daughter is currently attending NIC.
We are honored that Grant has agreed to inspire our graduates!
FAQs
Q. What is the difference between commencement and graduation?
A. Graduation: the process of being awarded a degree/certificate after completion of credit hours and other program requirements.
- Commencement: the congratulatory ceremony in which students are publicly and formally recognized.
Q. What if I don’t want to participate in the ceremony? Do I need to apply to graduate?
A. Yes. Students must apply to graduate regardless of participation in the ceremony.
Q. How long is the ceremony?
A. The first ceremony begins at 10 a.m. and is scheduled to end at 11:30 a.m. The second ceremony begins at 1 p.m. and is scheduled to end at 2:30 p.m.
Q. Which ceremony am I in?
A. The first ceremony includes all graduation candidates for all academic programs (A.A. and A.S. degrees), excluding dual credit students.
The second ceremony includes all students in dual credit, health professions and technical programs.
Q. Where do I get my cap and gown?
A. The following dates we will have pick up for cap, gown and guest tickets:
- Monday, April 29th 12 p.m.-7 p.m. in the Student Union Building
- Tuesday, April 30th 10 a.m.-1:30 pm in the Parker Technical Building (this is for Technical students only)
- Wednesday, May 1st 11 a.m.-1 p.m. in the Sandpoint Center
If you are unable to pick up during these dates and times, send an email to graduation@nic.edu to make other arrangements.
Q. Will my name be listed in the Commencement Program?
A. If you applied to graduate by April 1 and marked “Yes” to include your name in the program on your application, your name will be listed.
Q. Where can I get a copy of the Commencement Program?
A. There will be Commencement Programs available on the day of Commencement in Schuler Auditorium. After the ceremony, extra programs will be available on campus at Cardinal Central.
Q.How do I request my transcripts?
A. If you need to request an official transcript, you can make this request through MyNIC. If you need more information visit nic.edu/transcripts.
Q. How do I order graduate photos?
A. Leo’s Photography took a quick photo of graduates immediately after crossing the stage. Students can order pictures using the Graduation Picture Order form or by visiting Leo’s website, leosphotography.com, using the order code: GRA224870.
-
Q. How many tickets will I receive?
A. Each graduate will receive 2-3 tickets.Q. How will I receive my tickets?
A. The following dates we will have pick up for cap, gown and guest tickets:- Monday, April 29th 12 p.m.-7 p.m. in the Student Union Building
- Tuesday, April 30th 10 a.m.-1:30 pm in the Parker Technical Building (this is for Technical students only)
- Wednesday, May 1st 11 a.m.-1 p.m. in the Sandpoint Center
If you are unable to pick up during these dates and times, send an email to graduation@nic.edu to make other arrangements.
Q. I don’t need some/all of the tickets that I received. What do I do with the extra tickets?
A. You may return the tickets to Cardinal Central so we can distribute the tickets to other graduates.Q. Do children under the age of 3 need a ticket?
A. No, as long as they can sit on someone’s lap.Q. Can I request extra tickets?
A. You may request extra tickets through the link located on the Commencement 2024 webpage. Extra tickets are not guaranteed as seating is limited. Tickets are reserved for guests of graduates. Only graduates participating in the ceremony may request extra tickets.Q. When will I know if I can get extra tickets?
A. All students who request extra tickets will be notified by CardinalMail if there are extra tickets available no later than May 8.Q. I was notified I can receive extra tickets. How will I receive them?
A. Read the email notifying you of extra tickets carefully to see how you requested to receive the tickets and reply to the email if you need to make an update.Q. I was notified there are no extra tickets available. What do I do about my friends/family that want to attend but don't have tickets?
A. If you are unable to secure extra tickets, the ceremony will be televised in the Lake Coeur d'Alene Room upstairs in the Edminster Student Union Building. Everyone is welcome and tickets are not required. The ceremony will also be livestreamed on NIC’s YouTube channel.
Q. Where do I go on the morning of commencement?
A. First ceremony graduates will check in at 9 a.m. on Friday, May 10 at Christianson Gymnasium. A presentation will provide graduates with information about the ceremony including the processional.
Second ceremony graduates will check in at noon on Friday, May 10 at Christianson Gymnasium. A presentation will provide graduates with information about the ceremony including the processional.
Graduates do not need a ticket to enter the ceremony.
Q. Is there a rehearsal or practice before the ceremony?
A. No, students are asked to check in one hour before the ceremony they are scheduled to appear in.
Q. Is regalia required?
A. Yes, all students need to wear an NIC cap and gown.
Q. Is guest seating assigned?
A. No, seating is on a first-come, first-serve basis. If any of your guests needs accommodations, such as special seating, contact Disability Support Services at (208) 769-5947. In order to ensure accommodations are available, requests should be made a minimum of one week prior to the ceremony.
Q. Can I still participate in commencement if I ordered a cap and gown and now I have a class that I will not finish?
A. You are still able to participate in the commencement ceremony. Your invitation to the ceremony will not be removed once you have RSVP’d by ordering a cap and gown.
Q. I have a question about my program requirements, who should I contact?
A. Graduation@nic.edu
Q. Can I decorate my cap?
A. Yes.
For more information, see Graduation and Commencement at the Registrar's Office website.