CAP AND GOWN ORDER DEADLINE: May 1

How do I order my cap & gown?

You should order your cap & gown online from Herff Jones. 

What do Kendall College Certificate, A.A.S. Culinary Arts and Baking & Pastry Grads wear?

Kendall College students graduating with an associates degree or certificate will participate in commencement wearing a new alumni chef jacket. Students can purchase their new chef jacket from www.shopnlu.com/commencement. The deadline to order your jacket is May 1. Jackets will begin shipping to students on May 1. Once your order ships, a shipment confirmation email including the tracking number will be sent to the email address you provided.

When should I get it?

Your cap & gown will be shipped to your home.  Please allow 2-3 weeks for manufacturing.  Once your order ships, a shipment confirmation email including the tracking number will be sent to the email address you provided. Please make sure you bring your cap & gown, there will not be able opportunity to purchase during the ceremony.

What should I wear under my cap & gown?

Graduation gowns are cut low enough in the front to show a shirt or top, even when you wear a hood — the colored sash that is worn around the neck and over the shoulders. Here are the best tops for each person to wear:

• A great option is a collared dress shirt and ties to showcase a professional and tidy appearance. Or a scoop-neck top with a modest cut or a collared blouse.
• Avoid brightly colored bottoms if you choose to wear dress pants or a longer skirt, as they can be seen below the hem of the gown and stick to darker colors. For pants and skirts that are shorter in length and can’t be seen, a bright color is acceptable.
• Skirts should be relatively narrow — no wider than an A-line style – as puffy skirts can add volume to an already voluminous gown.

Students wearing a Chef Jacket for commencement are to wear:

• Clean pressed jacket with a light colored dress shirt or blouse
• Black dress pants or skirts
• Chef toque (provided by college)

Where does my tassel go?

For Undergraduate degrees, your tassel should start on the right side of cap, and move to left after degree is awarded (there will be a point in the ceremony where you are instructed to move your tassel).

For graduate degrees, the tassel starts on left side of your cap and remains there.

How do I wear my hood?

All masters graduates should wear their hood at the start of the ceremony. Place the hood around your neck and shoulders so that the major portion hangs down the back and the velvet is up.  Fasten the cord in front of the hood to your shirt, dress or gown to keep the hood away from your neck. We will have safety pins at graduate check in should you need something to fasten your hood. Fasten the cord in the back of the hood to the button that is at the top back of the hood. The cord helps to keep the hood in place to show the lining.

An integral part of the Commencement Ceremony is the hooding of doctoral graduates. The doctoral hood, carried on stage by the graduates, is placed over the head and onto the shoulders, symbolizing support of the graduate and passing on of knowledge between one generation of doctorates to another. Generally, the faculty advisor, dissertation chair, or another faculty member of the dissertation committee performs the hooding. Asking and arranging for a faculty member to hood a student is left to the discretion of the graduate. 

I have a specific question about my regalia order.

All concerns or questions regarding your apparel should be directed to NLU's Herff Jones sales representatives:

Reid Olson at 312-315-7057 or rolson@herffjones.com

Maureen Olson at 312-316-1876 or molson@herffjones.com 

All concerns or questions regarding your chef jackets should be directed to the NLUS Store: shop@nl.edu