Northwest Missouri State University celebrated its spring graduates during four commencement ceremonies May 1-2. More than 1,600 students, ranging in age from 19 to 66, were recognized for completing their degrees.

A man in dark formal attire stands respectfully among tall flagpoles displaying international flags, silhouetted against bright sunlight and a clear blue sky, surrounded by landscaped grounds with trees, at Northwest Missouri State University.

Three women wearing graduation regalia and green and gold stoles pose for a photo in front of a neon sign reading 'Once a Bearcat, Always a Bearcat!' while a person photographs them at Northwest Missouri State University.

Three women in black graduation robes and caps, with one wearing a pink sorority stole, adjusting their mortarboard and smiling during a graduation ceremony at Northwest Missouri State University.

Smiling female graduate in black academic regalia and mortarboard with long curly hair wearing a green honor cord and student media identification badge, surrounded by other graduates at a commencement ceremony at Northwest Missouri State University.

Four women in black graduation gowns and mortarboards, wearing blue honor cords and holding diplomas, smile together while posing for a photo against a gray brick wall at Northwest Missouri State University.

Two young women wearing graduation caps and gowns smile while a man photographs them in a gymnasium during a graduation ceremony at Northwest Missouri State University.

A young man in black academic robes and mortarboard smiles while adjusting his graduation cap at Northwest Missouri State University.

Rear view of a woman with blonde hair wearing a black graduation gown and decorative mortarboard cap that reads 'I'm Meowt of here' with cat designs at Northwest Missouri State University.

A young man wearing graduation regalia including a mortarboard cap, teal sash, and purple tie stands among other graduates during a commencement ceremony at Northwest Missouri State University.

Two graduates wearing black academic regalia and mortarboard caps at a graduation ceremony, with a man in the foreground wearing a green and gold honor stole, and a woman visible to the left, surrounded by other graduates in the background at Northwest Missouri State University.

Three men wearing black graduation gowns and mortarboards smile together, with one man adjusting his cap in a celebratory moment at Northwest Missouri State University.

A woman wearing graduation cap and gown with glasses and a decorative green charm on her tassel at Northwest Missouri State University.

Two women in black graduation gowns and mortarboards smiling at the camera against a brick wall, with one wearing a white sash, at Northwest Missouri State University.

Close-up of a woman's decorated graduation cap with pink frame and floral design reading 'TEACHER' for class of 2026, surrounded by other graduates at Northwest Missouri State University.

A women graduate in black academic robes and mortarboards holds the country flag of Austria during a graduation ceremony procession at Northwest Missouri State University.

Two men in black graduation gowns and caps hold the country flags of India and Dominica during a commencement ceremony at Northwest Missouri State University.

A smiling man in black academic regalia and mortarboard holds the country flag of Serbia while wearing a medal around his neck, celebrating his graduation achievement at Northwest Missouri State University.

A woman graduate in black graduation gown and mortarboard cap walks beneath a green banner reading 'College of Agriculture & Natural Sciences' while family members and spectators watch from stadium seating during a commencement ceremony at Northwest Missouri State University.

A woman wearing a black graduation gown and decorated mortarboard with long blonde hair carries a banner flag during the graduation procession at Northwest Missouri State University.

A graduation ceremony processional showing multiple men and women in black academic robes, caps, and colorful hoods walking through an aisle lined with faculty members. Graduates with yellow honor cords and blue accents walk formally through an indoor auditorium venue at Northwest Missouri State University.

Multiple graduates wearing black academic regalia and mortarboards stand in a procession during a graduation ceremony at Northwest Missouri State University.

A woman in a black graduation gown and mortarboards make a peace sign gesture during a commencement ceremony, wearing green student athlete solte, standing in an arena with other graduates and an audience in the background at Northwest Missouri State University.

Five graduates in black academic robes and mortarboard caps smile during a graduation ceremony at Northwest Missouri State University, with one student wearing a green honor cord and sash among the group standing in front of a blurred crowd.

Graduation ceremony at Northwest Missouri State University featuring multiple graduates in black academic robes and mortarboards walking in procession, with a large green university banner and an audience of spectators seated in the background at Northwest Missouri State University.

President Dr. Lance Tatum in formal green doctoral robes with white stripes and a gold medallion stands prominently at a graduation ceremony, wearing a mortarboard. Other faculty members and graduates in academic regalia are visible in the background. The scene depicts a commencement celebration at Northwest Missouri State University.

A massive indoor crowd of thousands of men and women seated and standing in bleachers at a Bearcat Nation event at an arena venue, with video screens and overhead lighting visible at Northwest Missouri State University.

Two women wearing black graduation gowns and mortarboards, adorned with colorful honor cords, smiling during a graduation ceremony at Northwest Missouri State University.

A woman wearing a gold decorated graduation cap adorned with colorful symbols representing education including the word TEACH, an apple, globe, pencil, and other academic icons, celebrating at Northwest Missouri State University.

A group of graduates wearing black academic robes and green honor cords stand during a graduation ceremony at Northwest Missouri State University, with men and women lined up together while an audience watches in the background.

Overhead view of female graduate waving to the crowd, wearing black academic robes, mortarboards, and green honor stoles seated in rows at a graduation ceremony at Northwest Missouri State University.

A woman graduate in black mortarboard and academic regalia stands among other female graduates at a commencement ceremony at Northwest Missouri State University.

Two young women wearing black graduation gowns, mortarboards, and honor cords sit during the graduation ceremony, with other graduates visible in the background at Northwest Missouri State University.

Four women in black graduation gowns and mortarboards sit during a graduation ceremony, smiling and holding diplomas, with an audience visible in the background at Northwest Missouri State University.

A group of five women in black graduation gowns and mortarboards smile during a graduation ceremony at Northwest Missouri State University. Some are wearing decorative lei around their necks, and they appear happy and celebratory during the commencement event.

Dr. Rose Marie Ward, provost, in a blue academic gown stands at a podium on stage during a Spring 2026 graduation ceremony, presenting graduation statistics displayed on a projection screen behind him at Northwest Missouri State University.

A smiling man wearing academic regalia including a black graduation gown, mortarboard cap, and purple stole with rainbow stripes stands on stage during a graduation ceremony, flanked by two other graduates, at Northwest Missouri State University.

A young woman in black academic regalia and mortarboard smiles while walking across a graduation ceremony stage, with another person in blue regalia visible beside her at Northwest Missouri State University.

A man in black academic regalia wearing a graduation cap and green medal lanyard stands on stage during a commencement ceremony at Northwest Missouri State University, surrounded by other graduates and attendees.

A woman graduate in black academic regalia and mortarboard cap shakes hands with Dr. Matt Baker in formal academic dress with a blue hood at Northwest Missouri State University.

A smiling woman graduate wearing black academic regalia, mortarboard, and a colorful lei stands prominently on stage during a graduation ceremony, with other graduates visible in the background, at Northwest Missouri State University.

A man wearing black graduation robes and a mortarboard cap celebrates with raised arms, wearing a colorful kente cloth stole, as another woman graduate stands nearby on stage at Northwest Missouri State University.

A woman graduate wearing a black academic gown and mortarboard cap celebrates on stage at her graduation ceremony, making a peace sign gesture and wearing a colorful culture stole at Northwest Missouri State University.

Dr. Matt Baker wearing academic regalia and glasses with a blue sash smiles while standing next to a woman in a graduation gown with a mortarboard at a commencement ceremony at Northwest Missouri State University.

Two women in black graduation gowns, mortarboards, and colorful honor cords stand on stage during a graduation ceremony, with one woman waving to the audience, a potted plant visible nearby at Northwest Missouri State University.

A graduation ceremony showing multiple men and women wearing academic regalia and robes standing on a green-carpeted stage with a podium at Northwest Missouri State University.

A woman graduate in black academic regalia and mortarboard smiles joyfully while turning the tassel, surrounded by other graduates and attendees, celebrating her achievement at Northwest Missouri State University.

Group of smiling female graduates in black academic robes and mortarboard caps with honor cords, celebrating and applauding at Northwest Missouri State University.

A smiling man in graduation regalia, including a black cap and gown with a green stole, is hooded on stage at Northwest Missouri State University.

A woman in black graduation gown and mortarboard is hooded on stage while smiling during a graduation ceremony at Northwest Missouri State University.

A man wearing sunglasses and academic regalia holds up his graduation diploma during a commencement ceremony at Northwest Missouri State University.

A young woman wearing a black graduation cap and gown smiles while adjusting her mortarboard at a graduation ceremony surrounded by other graduates at Northwest Missouri State University.

Group of smiling women graduates in black academic gowns, mortarboard caps, and colorful stoles standing together at Northwest Missouri State University graduation ceremony.

A group of approximately 12 men and women in black academic robes with green accents stand on stage holding diplomas at a graduation ceremony, with decorative hanging vines and bright stage lighting overhead at Northwest Missouri State University.

Four smiling graduates in black academic robes and mortarboards wearing colorful honor cords stand together at their graduation ceremony at Northwest Missouri State University.

Four young women in black graduation robes and mortarboards with green sashes take a selfie together, smiling in a crowded arena at Northwest Missouri State University commencement ceremony, with 'Bearcat Nation' signage visible in the background at Northwest Missouri State University.

Two men in academic regalia and mortarboards smile while holding a green diploma during a graduation ceremony, photographed by a person holding a smartphone, with international flags and stage backdrop visible behind them at Northwest Missouri State University

Two men smiling together during graduation ceremony, one wearing black academic regalia with mortarboard and colorful stole, the other in blue plaid suit with white cap and green diploma, standing in front of brick building with windows at Northwest Missouri State University.

A smiling woman wearing glasses and graduation regalia including a black gown, mortarboard, and colorful kente cloth stole, holding a diploma at Northwest Missouri State University.

A woman in a green jacket embraces a graduate wearing a blue academic gown, black mortarboard, and green stole during a graduation ceremony at Northwest Missouri State University.