NAU is welcoming back 900 alumni this weekend to get their long-awaited, long-delayed opportunity to put on their cap and gown and walk across the stage.
The ceremony will recognize alumni who received bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees for the classes of 2020 and 2021. It will be held at 11 a.m. May 14 in the J. Lawrence Walkup Skydome (Bldg. 73), with doors opening 90 minutes before the ceremony. The clear bag policy will be in effect; all attendees, including guests, should familiarize themselves with the policy ahead of the event. For those unable to attend, the program will be live-streamed. To share messages before the ceremony, tag #NAUGrad on social media or upload a post directly.
“I am excited to celebrate with these graduates and their families and all of our faculty and staff who adapted and adjusted during the pandemic and helped each of these students reach the finish line,” said NAU President José Luis Cruz Rivera. “When these students started college, they never would have imagined finishing in an unprecedented global pandemic. But they persevered, and I join their friends, family and mentors in saying how proud I am of these alumni and how glad we all are to welcome back our Lumberjacks.”
What to know about travel and parking
Attendees can subscribe to get up-to-the-minute information about traffic, parking, weather and emergencies through NAU’s texting system. To sign up, text “NAU” to 237233. Standard data rates apply. You will automatically stop receiving texts when the event is over. Visitors should plan for extra time to reach their destination so they can be at the Skydome in time for the ceremony.
Parking is available at multiple locations across campus as well as shuttles from the South Commuter parking lot (P62). ADA parking is available in the Skydome parking lot P66 accessible via Lone Tree Road. A map can be found online. NAU parking has designated specific traffic patterns for the commencement ceremony:
For General Parking
- From I-40 East (from Los Angeles), take Exit 191 and follow Route 66 to Milton Road. Turn right on Milton Road and follow it to University Dr. Then, turn left on University Dr. to enter campus. Once on campus, turn right on Knoles Drive and follow the instructions of signs and traffic personnel to access parking.
- From I-40 West (from Albuquerque), take Exit 198 to Butler Ave. and turn right. Follow Butler Ave. to Milton Road. Turn left on Milton and follow it to University Dr. Then, turn left on University Dr. to enter campus. Once on campus, turn right on Knoles Drive and follow the instructions of signs and traffic personnel to access parking.
- From I-17 North (from Phoenix), use the McConnell Drive exit and turn right to enter campus. Follow the instructions of signs and traffic personnel to access parking.
For ADA Parking
- From I-40 East (from Los Angeles), take Exit 191 and follow Route 66 to Milton Road. Turn left on Milton Road and then right on Butler Ave. Follow Butler Ave. to Lone Tree Rd. and turn right. Follow Lone Tree Rd. to Pine Knoll Dr. and turn right to enter campus and access designated ADA parking.
- From I-40 West (from Albuquerque), take Exit 198 to Butler Ave and turn right. Follow Butler Ave. to Lone Tree Rd. and turn left. Follow Lone Tree Rd. to Pine Knoll Dr. and turn right to enter campus and access designated ADA parking.
- From I-17 (from Phoenix), take Exit 339 to Lake Mary Road and turn right. Follow Lake Mary Rd. to J.W. Powell Blvd. and turn left. Then follow J.W. Powell to Lone Tree Rd. and turn left. Follow Lone Tree Rd. to Pine Knoll Dr. and turn left to enter campus and access designated ADA parking.
Participants and guests are encouraged to download the NAUgo app in order to keep commencement ceremony information at your fingertips. Download it from the App Store or Google Play.