Graduation Week Events 2026
Art Institute – Community Day
Join us for a day at the Art Institute. The NLU community is invited to stop by the Art Institute with complimentary admission for NLU students, staff, faculty, and guests.
Light breakfast will be served until supplies run out.
Skip the line and register at the National Louis University Day registration table in the Art Institute’s Modern Wing lobby, located at 159 East Monroe Street, anytime between 11:00 and 5:00. Show your National Louis University ID to receive tickets for you and guests (10 tickets maximum). Please visit artic.edu for a full listing of special exhibitions and information on parking and public transportation. Call (312) 443-3541 to learn more.
Chicago Cubs Game
Join us for a fun time at the ball park. The Chicago Cubs faceoff against the Houston Astros. Come out to the ballpark for fun in the sun. Tickets are $13 while supplies last.
First Gen Celebration
National Louis is proud to honor students who are the first in their families to graduate from a four-year degree institution. We invite first-gen students and their families to feel the support from faculty, staff, friends, and mentors as we cheer for you crossing this amazing finish line. Undergraduate, graduate, professional students – you are all invited! Join us for dinner and a ceremony where you will receive a pin to wear proudly at commencement.
Grad Fest – Chicago and Wheeling
We invite graduating students to join us for an exciting celebration as we come together to honor this special milestone. Students can look forward to both professional and selfie opportunities provided throughout the event. Students will also be able to participate in many activities including cap decorating and shop for NLU swag at the NLU store. Food and drinks will be provided. Students will receive giveaways, connect with faculty and staff, and party with family and friends as we celebrate your journey at NLU!
BSEEN End of Year Celebration
Celebrate the end of year with us! We will have a fun lunch time experience of community while we celebrate our graduates, hear from community members about their BECOMING stories, and induct new members into the BSEEN community! Registration is required.
¡Si Se Pudo! Graduation Celebration
El Centro de Excelencia celebrates graduating students with a cultural, linguistically affirming and festive event centered in comunidad. Students are gifted a Puente stole to honor their cultural identities and are offered the opportunity to express what this milestone means to them and to acknowledge those who have supported them in this journey. NLU students and staff are recognized for their extraordinary contribution to the NLU Latina/o/x community and we end the evening with a group photo of our comunidad.
*Events are open to all NLU students. Students are encouraged to register for events.
