Message from the President
We are approaching the end of a memorable fall semester and I want to thank you for your support of our Lumberjack family and for entrusting your students’ educational futures to us.
I continue to feel honored to be a part of this wonderful community – from the achievements of each and every student and their passion for creating a better world, to the great work of our dedicated NAU faculty and staff and all that they do to support the success of our students.
In addition, I am proud that in just a few days, nearly 2,400 students will graduate from NAU. This is a special life achievement for our students. I cannot wait for these celebrations and a fitting conclusion to the fall semester. We hope you will join us in congratulating the fall Class of 2022. Before you know it, you will be experiencing the excitement of commencement – cheering as you hear your student’s name announced before thousands as they walk across the stage in the Skydome.
The New Year will bring us back together again to continue our important work – elevating the excellence of our students and NAU
Until then, we wish you the happiest of holidays surrounded by friends and family.
Warm regards and Go Jacks!
Last issue of the Backpack Newsletter!
Although this is the last issue of the Backpack Newsletter, we invite you to join the Lumberjack Family Hub so you can continue to receive updates and information from Northern Arizona University
With the Lumberjack Family Hub, we are excited to continue to provide information on programs and services that will contribute to your student’s growth and success at NAU, enhance their experience, and enable your family to focus on what matters most—the future.
The Lumberjack Family Hub will provide a newsletter, a news feed for you to explore resources, and so much more!
Commencement 101
We are officially 10 days away from NAU’s Fall Commencement! On Friday, December 16, we will host 2 ceremonies to celebrate our newest graduates! Here is everything you should know if your student is graduating this fall:
No tickets are required, but we recommend no more than 8 guests per graduate.
Doors open 90 minutes before each ceremony. Students should arrive 60 minutes before the ceremony begins. The ceremony will last about 90 minutes.
NAU’sClear Bag Policyis in effect in the Skydome for all commencement ceremonies.
Students must be in academic regalia to participate.
All seating is first come, first served. Limited accessible seating is available.
Please reference ourparking and driving directionsto make your travel plans.
Plan to meet your graduate outside of the Skydome after the ceremony to allow us to reset the venue for the next ceremony.
You can pre-order graduation photos from the ceremony with Grad Images atwww.gradimages.com/northernarizonauniversity. You can alsopre-order giftsfor your grad today to pick up on the day of your ceremony!
As part of NAU’s efforts to reach carbon neutrality by 2030, this year’s Commencement booklets will be digital. You will be able to access the digital booklet a few days before the ceremony. On the day of the ceremony, you will receive a brief, commemorative program of the day.
Can’t attend in-person but still want to watch the ceremony? Join ourlivestream on Youtube.
Life after graduation is great! Make sure your Lumberjack gets connected with theNAU Alumni Associationand follows @NAUAlumni on social.
We truly cannot wait to celebrate all that our Lumberjacks have accomplished during their time at NAU. This is the most wonderful time of year, and we hope you enjoy every second of it. We will see you in the Skydome! For the most up-to-date information, visit
nau.edu/commencement.
Winter break is almost here
There is only one week remaining in the fall semester, and winter break is quickly approaching. As a reminder, campus living communities close for winter break on Friday, Dec. 16, at 9 a.m. View details online to help you and your student prepare for
fall closing.
Unless designated for
winter term housing, most campus living communities stay locked, and card access is deactivated until spring opening on Jan. 14 at 9 a.m. Students can leave their belongings in their rooms over winter break. However, they should take valuable items such as cell phones, laptops, chargers, eyeglasses, medications, driver’s licenses, and passports, as they will not have access to their room.
Clean the refrigerator and remove all perishable items.
Remove all trash and recycling from the room.
Unplug everything except the fridge (and aquarium with self-feeder if applicable).
Lock windows, close the blinds, and lock the door.
Dynamic winter courses, free academic resources, and virtual and in-person wellness programs
NAU provides high-quality courses, on-demand resources, and health and wellness programs to keep your student on track through the winter season. Whatever their needs this winter term, we offer flexible options and support services to empower their success.
We’re committed to helping your Lumberjack stay connected this winter—whether they’re staying on campus, studying from home, or enjoying a relaxing winter break. Through our
Campus Health Services, we offer seamless support through virtual and in-person healthcare appointments, wellness programs, and counseling sessions. On campus, we maintain many of our programs and facilities so that your student can stay happy, healthy, and physically active.
To help your student catch up or get ahead this winter term, we offer hundreds of courses to fulfill their degree or liberal studies requirements. Because most of our winter courses are online, your student can also study from wherever they learn best. Encourage them to
explore winter courses and
schedule an appointment with an academic advisor today
Although scholarship funds can’t be applied during the winter term, your student
may qualify to defer winter charges until the spring semester based on their financial aid award.
