Venue and Ceremony
Commencement 2025
ËÄ»¢Ó°ÊÓ will celebrate Commencement Weekend in Shapiro Field House on the Northfield, Vermont campus. Graduates from both bachelor’s and master’s programs from residential and online will be celebrated, along with ROTC Joint Commissioning ceremony. The ceremony may also include graduates from prior classes, who did not have the opportunity to walk with their classes.
ROTC Joint Commissioning
ËÄ»¢Ó°ÊÓ will commission graduates from the Class of 2025 into the U.S. armed services in a Joint Commissioning Ceremony for Army, Air Force/Space Force, and Navy ROTC.
Venue Rules: we ask that all graduates and guests adhere to the following policies pertaining to the campus
No food or drink is permitted in Shapiro Field House except for water and baby food/formula.
Per Vermont state law and ËÄ»¢Ó°ÊÓ policy, no alcoholic beverages are permitted on campus grounds. Alcoholic beverages may be served in Partridge Pub and at catered events. Anyone violating this code will be asked to leave campus.
Pets are not allowed in venues, and lots are not shaded, so please don’t leave your pet in the car. Service animals are allowed.
Umbrellas are allowed inside ceremony venues but must remain closed.
All bags will be checked by security at the time of ticket scanning before entrance to the venue.
Strollers should not be in aisles or within seating rows in Shapiro Field House. Please place strollers along the building’s back wall.
Maps and Directions
Seating
Tickets will be required to enter the building and will be scanned by campus security upon entry. Once in Shapiro, there is general seating. Anyone without a ticket will be asked to view a live stream of the ceremony from Kreitzberg Arena, which is next door to Shapiro and where seating is not limited.
Note: At the close of the Commencement ceremony, ËÄ»¢Ó°ÊÓ Artillery Battery will fire a Pack Howitzer cannon outside of the venue. For guests with noise sensitivities, please consider sitting on the right side of the venue furthest from the main doors.
Accessibility and Special Needs
Accessible seating: Guests using wheelchairs will be assisted to aisle end caps for seating. Families will be seated together.
A limited number of wheelchairs are available for transport needs but they will be first come, first served. We strongly advise that guests needing mobility assistance bring their medical equipment.
Note: One section of seating is bleacher seating. Although these seats provide guests with a higher vantage point to view the ceremony, bleacher seating is not easily accessible by guests with limited mobility, and bleacher seats do not have back support. Seating in bleachers requires climbing which is not always convenient to dress clothing. Students should plan and communicate accordingly with their guests.
Hearing-impaired guests: An American Sign Language interpreter will be present to translate the Commencement ceremony for guests who are deaf or hearing-impaired. The interpreter will be located on the main stage and visible on large screens and on the live stream.
Special requests: If you require additional services or have questions, please email commencement@norwich.edu
Attire for Commencement and Commissioning Ceremonies
Commencement and Commissioning are formal ceremonies to honor our ËÄ»¢Ó°ÊÓ graduates. Please dress in a manner that is respectful and appropriate for these occasions. Many service members will be uniformed, and those in civilian clothing should ensure they are comfortably dressed to both get around and be seated for long periods. It is also recommended to dress in layers due to the chilly spring weather in Vermont.
Photo finish
Official graduation portraits will be taken to the left of the stage, directly after graduates receive their diplomas. Both senior and graduate portraits are available for order directly from .