Pride in the Pack

Graduation is an exciting milestone, and you have persevered through every obstacle to complete your studies. Now it's time for the reward - celebrating your accomplishments on the stage in front of your friends and family.

We know you will persevere and excel in all of your future endeavours. It's in a wolf's nature to form strong attachments within the pack, and we know the relationships you have made with staff, instructors and each other will be lasting ones. Remember, you will always be part of the Wolfpack!

A happy graduate dressed in cap and gown smiling broadly A happy graduate dressed in cap and gown smiling broadly

Convocation

Apply to Graduate

Once you've met the requirements of your program, you can apply to graduate, and celebrate with family and friends at your Convocation ceremony.

2024-25 Fairview Valedictorian, Kailey Weisgerber.
"It’s a commitment and an achievement to represent our class, we’ve helped each other to be our best while forming a sense of community with the other programs too."
Grande Prairie Valedictorian Melborne Baiting
"I take great pride in representing the class of 2024 and our achievements. Success, as I learned, relies heavily on well-defined goals and mental well-being. As the saying goes, failing to prepare is preparing to fail."

Welcome to the NWP Alumni Family

You forged a future at Convocation and now you're joining a Wolfpack with thousands of NWP Alumni worldwide.

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A group of graduates throwing their mortarboards into the air A group of graduates throwing their mortarboards into the air

Convocation

Checklist & Ceremony Information

Take a look at everything you need to know about your big day. Get ticket information, find out where to park, and review your schedule to ensure you're where you need to be and when.

Awards & Honours

The NWP Convocation ceremony honours graduates who have achieved academic excellence in their program of study. The Valedictorian and Salutatorian recipients leave a positive imprint on our Learning Community and represent the graduating class as they embark on the next chapter of their lives.

Information about applying for these awards will be communicated from the Financial Aid Office through your student email.

Since 1985, Mr. Paul Evaskevich has generously sponsored the Grande Prairie Campus Valedictorian Award. Mr. Evaskevich was a former member of the GPRC Board of Governors and a dedicated supporter of the institution and its students.

The Valedictorian Award recognizes the most outstanding graduating student, receiving a certificate or diploma after at least one full year of study from all programs offered at Northwestern Polytechnic. That is, the student has completed the maximum course of study offered in a program at NWP. In addition, a student must be enrolled in a full course load during the year in which they are considered for the award.

Students will be shortlisted based on their display of leadership qualities, their contributions to the institution, and finally, judged on the content of their Valedictory Address.

Get More Details

Since 2009, the Beth Sheehan Salutatorian Award has been presented to a student completing the final year of a university degree program hosted at Northwestern Polytechnic.

The Salutatorian Award recognizes the excellence of a collaborative degree completion student and acknowledges their choice to complete their studies on campus at Northwestern Polytechnic. To be eligible for this award, applicants must be completing the final year of a collaborative degree program on the NWP campus, be enrolled in 60% of a full course load, and have a minimum GPA of 3.3 in the Fall Semester before Convocation.

Students will be shortlisted based on their display of leadership qualities and contributions to the institution, and will be judged on the content of their Salutatorian speech.

Get More Details

A graduate receiving a hug from a happy family member A graduate receiving a hug from a happy family member

Convocation

Parchments & Transcripts

When you apply to graduate, you will provide the information required to process your parchment. If you are an Alum who requires a parchment or a re-print, please complete an application form and email it to graduation@nwpolytech.ca.

Frequently Asked Questions

Graduation is just around the corner, and you should be prepared. Get your burning questions answered with our handy list of common queries.

Fairview Campus: Participation in Convocation is limited to students who are expected to complete all the requirements for their program of study by the end of the current academic year. Students must also be in good standing with the institution.

Grande Prairie Campus: Participation in Convocation is limited to students who have completed all the requirements for their program of study by April 30th of the current academic year. Students must also be in good standing with the institution. Collaborative Degree students are eligible to attend convocation and must also apply to those Universities to receive their parchments.

In order to attend Convocation, you need to meet certain requirements of your program. This will be verified when you apply to graduate.

Questions regarding requirements for graduation and application status can be found in the Academic Calendar applicable to your year(s) of study. Specific questions can be directed to the Registrar's Office.

Graduation rings are available through various vendors, such as Jostens, and are the responsibility of the student. Jostens typically sets up a booth on campus a few times throughout the academic year. Keep an eye out for posters indicating dates and times.

Fairview graduates will receive an invitation in the mail by the end of January. We will also make classroom visits to hand-deliver invitations to students who are currently on campus.

Grande Prairie graduates must apply to graduate and attend Convocation. Once you have submitted your application, you will receive event-specific details.

Ticket information can be found here.

No. The only time that you will incur a fee is if you require a replacement parchment or if you want to have it sent by courier.

The ceremony lasts approximately 1 hour.

Wear regular business dress. The gown has long sleeves and will complement any style of dress shirt underneath. Dresses shouldn't be longer than calf-length. The gowns can be quite warm, and you may be sitting under the lights on stage, so you may wish to dress appropriately.

Yes, we encourage all family members to participate in this celebration of your accomplishments. Please keep in mind that the ceremony will last approximately one hour.

For the Grande Prairie campus graduates, we offer a family room for those with small children, allowing all guests to enjoy the ceremony. The family room has a live feed of the ceremony as well as toys and light refreshments.

Please note that all ceremony attendees, including babies, will require a ticket.

Your legal name will appear on your parchment as recorded in the official student record (with the format Firstname MiddleInitial. Lastname or FirstInitial. Middlename Lastname). If you require a change to your record, please complete the Student Change of Information Form and forward it to the Registrar's Office.

A photographer will be available to take your picture while you are on stage during the convocation ceremony. These photos will be available from the photographer for a fee after the day and are the financial responsibility of the individual.

Formal portraits are the responsibility of the student and may be arranged with a photographer of choice.

For the Fairview campus graduates, the photographer will also be present for the President's Tea in the Atrium for family or formal photos.

Please email the Registrar’s Office to let them know of your change in circumstances. 

Parchments are not prepared until all final marks have been received and graduate status has been confirmed. Once eligibility has been determined, parchments are prepped for distribution. This process typically takes between 2 and 6 weeks to complete, and when complete, the parchment is mailed to the address listed on the application. If no address is provided, we will send it to the permanent address noted on the student's official record. If you require a change to your record, please update your address through your online account or complete the Student Change of Information Form and forward it to the Registrar’s Office.

Grande Prairie Convocation: Students will receive their NWP parchment on the day of Convocation.

Get in Touch

We are here to help you forge a future after graduation.

Office: H103

Campus: Grande Prairie Campus

Phone: 780-539-2911

Toll-Free: 1-888-539-4772

Email: studentinfo@nwpolytech.ca

Hours:
Monday-Friday
8:30 AM - 4:30 PM