What will happen during graduation?

You’ll arrive at Grand Theater in Wausau, select your parking, and enter the building through the main front entrance.

There will be signage and people directing you where to go. Graduates will be directed to a line up location where they will join fellow graduates from their program. Guests with tickets will be ushered to the theater.

All graduates will process (walk) into the theater at the same time with the traditional Pomp & Circumstance. Your guests will be cheering and celebrating you as you enter and take your seat. You’ll hear words of wisdom from guest speakers and then each graduate will be given the opportunity to walk across the stage.

As you approach the stage, you’ll provide your name and program information to an individual who will announce you. You’ll receive your diploma holder from a member of the Board of Trustees and be greeted by NTC President, Dr. Jeannie Worden.

A professional photographer will capture the moment of you receiving your diploma cover on stage as well as a posed photo after you come off the stage. You’ll have an opportunity to review/purchase photos within a week or so after the event. Stay tuned to your NTC student email for information from the photographer.

After you’ve received your diploma cover and photos have been taken, you’ll return to your seat until the conclusion of the program. Then, all graduates will recess out of the fieldhouse together. You’ll reunite with your guests in the cafeteria/commons.

You’ll then have more opportunities to take selfies and group photos before you leave to continue the day celebrating with loved ones.

How do I receive the professional photos?

Empire Photography has been photographing our commencement ceremony for many years. Each graduate is photographed as they receive their diploma and a solo portrait is taken after they exit the stage. Approximately 2 to 4 weeks after graduation, proofs of the pictures will be sent to graduates via e-mail. There is no obligation to purchase the pictures. Visit Empire Photos to learn more and/or provide additional contact details.

What time is graduation?

• Graduates must arrive by 9:00 a.m. to line up with their program.
• Guests must be seated by 9:45 a.m.
• The ceremony will begin promptly at 10:00 a.m.
• Plan approximately 90 minutes to 2 hours.

Can my family and friends attend?

As you can imagine, there are only a set number of seats and people allowed inside the graduation venue due to fire code. This along with the number of students participating in the ceremony determines how many tickets are available for each graduate. 

All guests, regardless of age, will need a ticket to enter the fieldhouse.
We anticipate each December 2025 graduate will initially be able to receive up to 3 guest tickets at the time they pick up their regalia.

The week of graduation, we’ll monitor ticket quantities. Any unclaimed tickets will be available for participating graduates to request. To be fair to all participants, graduates can typically request 1 extra ticket per day during graduation week while supplies last. Again, this will be dependent on the number of graduates and tickets remaining.

Loved ones who are unable to attend in person are encouraged to tune in to a live stream of graduation. It will be available via Wausau Area Access Media the day of graduation as well as on-demand viewing after.

All participates and attendees are also encouraged to review the following Notice of Event Photography:

Notice of Event Photography

Please note that photography, audio and video recording may occur at this event. By participating and begin present at this event, you consent to photography, audio recording, video recording and its/their release, publication, exhibition, or reproduction to be used for web casts, promotional purposes, telecasts, advertising, inclusion on website. You release Northcentral Technical College, its officers and employees, and each and all persons involved from any liability connected with the taking, recording, digitizing, or publication of interviews, photographs, computer images, video and/or sound recordings.

If you do not wish to appear in photographs or be recorded, please contact an event administrator.

Accessibility Information

Graduates may request accommodations/assistance through the graduation application. To help us plan for your best experience, please let us know any accommodations or mobility assistance needed such as interpreting services, wheelchair accessibility, navigating with a scooter/walker, additional assistance for crutches/walking boot, etc. Requests for graduates can be added to your “apply for completion” questionnaire or by contacting studentlife@ntc.edu.

For guests attending, the facility is handicap accessible. Limited handicap seating will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. 

How do I get my cap, gown and tickets?

Cap, Gown & Ticket Pick Up: Tuesday, November 11 – Friday, December 5

Beginning Tuesday, November 11, your regalia and tickets can be picked up in The Den (D112) at the Wausau Campus. Stop by Monday–Thursday 7:30 a.m.–6:00 p.m. or Friday 7:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m.

Are you a regional campus student? Beginning Tuesday, November 11, you can request to have your regalia and tickets sent to your campus by e-mailing studentlife@ntc.edu with your name, student ID number and preferred campus. Please also identify if you are a veteran so you may receive appropriate cords. To allow time for mailing, the deadline to request this service is Friday, December 5.

Number of Tickets: All guests (regardless of age) must have a ticket to attend the ceremony. The number of tickets is determined by the location and the number of graduates. To accommodate all graduates, each participant will be initially allocated 3 guest tickets for the event with an opportunity to obtain extra tickets (see below).

Ticket Deadline: Tickets not picked up by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, December 5 will be released as extra tickets. If you come in after that time, you may not receive your allocated tickets.

Extra Tickets: Beginning Monday, December 8, participating graduates may pick up 1 extra ticket per day on a first-come, first-serve basis until they are gone.