COMMENCEMENT 2026
The Next Chapter Starts Here. Proudly Celebrating Our Merrimack Graduates.
Merrimack College will honor the Class of 2026 with school-specific commencement ceremonies on Thursday, May 14, and Friday, May 15, in Lawler Arena.
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
Wednesday, May 13
- 10 a.m. – Honors Toast – Multipurpose Room, Sakowich Campus Center – by invitation only
- 1 p.m. – Nursing Pinning, Lawler Arena – by invitation only
- 3 p.m. – Legacy Family Social, Rogers Center for the Arts – by invitation only
- 4:30 p.m. – Baccalaureate Mass, Collegiate Church of Christ the Teacher
Thursday, May 14
- 10 a.m. – School of Nursing and Health Sciences Commencement and School of Engineering and Computational Sciences Commencement, Lawler Arena
- 2 p.m. – Girard School of Business Commencement, Lawler Arena
Friday, May 15
- 10 a.m. – School of Arts and Sciences Commencement and Golden Graduates and 50th Reunion Class of 1976 Recognition, Lawler Arena
- 2 p.m. – School of Education and Social Policy Commencement and Graduate School of Counseling and Social Work Commencement, Lawler Arena
50th Reunion and Golden Graduate Events
Friday, May 15
- 8 a.m. – Breakfast – Rogers Center for the Arts – Prior to processing in the School of Arts and Sciences Commencement ceremony, join members of the Class of 1976 and Golden Graduates for a light breakfast.
- 10 a.m. – Class of 1976 and Golden Graduate Recognition – Lawler Arena – Members of the Class of 1976 and Golden Graduates will process and be recognized during the School of Arts and Sciences Commencement ceremony.
- Noon – Golden Graduates Luncheon – The Golden Graduate Luncheon celebrates Merrimack’s earliest graduates from the classes of 1951-1975 and welcomes our newest Golden Graduates from the Class of 1976.
- 2 p.m. – Golden Graduate Mass – Austin Hall Chapel – Celebrate Mass with fellow Golden Graduates and remember those who are no longer with us.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
No tickets are necessary for any of the Commencement ceremonies this year. Guest entry and seating to Lawler Arena for all ceremonies will be on a first-come, first-served basis.
No, there is no assigned seating for guests. Seating is on a first-come, first-served basis. Lawler Arena will open 45 minutes prior to each ceremony.
If you are in need of accessible seating please speak with the Commencement staff who can direct you.
Lawler Arena will open 45 minutes before each ceremony.
Accessible seating will be available in Lawler Arena. Ushers will direct guests to the designated areas.
Please note: There will be Commencement staff members available throughout campus to assist guests with questions.
We have a limited number of wheelchairs to loan. They are located in Lawler Arena.
Yes, all students who are eligible to graduate can attend.
Please visit our accommodations webpage for a list of hotels within a short drive of the Merrimack campus. Merrimack has negotiated discount rates with some hotels. Please Note: Rates and availability are subject to change on a daily basis and we advise calling to confirm.
Commencement events will take place principally on Thursday, May 14 and Friday, May 15.
There will be four school-based ceremonies over two days, and the community will come together to celebrate Baccalaureate Mass.
Wednesday, May 13, 2026
1 p.m. – Nursing Pinning, Lawler Arena
4:30 p.m. – Baccalaureate Mass, Collegiate Church of Christ the Teacher
Thursday, May 14, 2026
10 a.m. – School of Nursing and Health Sciences Commencement, School of Engineering and Computational Sciences Commencement, Lawler Arena
2 p.m. – Girard School of Business Commencement, Lawler Arena
Friday, May 15, 2026
10 a.m. – School of Arts and Sciences Commencement, Golden Graduates and 50th Reunion Class of 1976 Recognition, Lawler Arena
2 p.m. – School of Education and Social Policy Commencement, Graduate School of Counseling and Social Work Commencement, Lawler Arena
Both undergraduate and graduate students will be recognized at the school-based ceremonies.
The Merrimack community will gather on Wednesday, May 13 at 4:30 p.m. in the Collegiate Church of Christ the Teacher for Baccalaureate Mass. All members of the Merrimack Community are invited to attend.
Baccalaureate Mass is a service in celebration of and thanksgiving for lives dedicated to learning and wisdom. The baccalaureate service derives from the medieval European custom of presenting the candidates for the degree of Bachelor (bacca) with laurels (lauri) of sermonic oration. All students and their guests, regardless of religious affiliation, are invited.
We anticipate that the individual school ceremonies will last approximately 1.5 – 2 hours.
Yes, all graduates will walk across the stage and their names will be read aloud at the individual school ceremonies on Thursday, May 14 and Friday, May 15.
Diplomas will be mailed to each student’s home address in the middle of June. If there have been any changes to your mailing address, students should make sure their current address is on file with the Registrar. Merrimack has partnered with Parchment this year to provide digital diplomas as well. Students will get an email from Parchment directing them to the website to set up an account. Once logged in, students can access their digital diploma.
Commencement program books listing graduates’ names will be distributed digitally this year. Please check the Commencement homepage before the ceremony for links to the digital programs.
The Legacy Family Social is by invitation only and recognizes graduates whose Merrimack experience was preceded by a parent, grandparent or sibling who attended Merrimack College. Legacy graduates from the class of 2026 will be contacted by the Office of Development and Alumni Relations with more details. For questions contact [email protected].
Yes, Commencement will be live-streamed on merrimack.edu. The live link will be available the morning of the ceremonies.
Commencement will take place indoors at Lawler Arena.
Baby Strollers
While strollers are allowed in Lawler Arena they will be directed to designated spaces for seating.
Balloons
Balloons are not allowed in Lawler Arena.
Signs
Large signs that restrict the view of others are not allowed in Lawler Arena.
Restricted Items
The following items are restricted from Lawler Arena:
Firearms or any other weapons (knives, pepper spray, box cutters, ETC), laser pointers or similar item, flags, posters, alcoholic beverages, coolers, sticks/poles, pets/animals (service animals only), air horns, cow bells, noise makers, tabacco, vapes, drones and balloons
Food & Drink
Food and drink are permitted in Lawler Arena during Commencement.
Pets & Service Animals
Service animals, not pets, are allowed in Lawler Arena. Learn more about service animals at ada.gov.
Bathrooms are located in the lobby of the Merrimack Athletics Complex.
Flowers will be available for purchase in the lobby of Lawler Arena.
First Aid Stations EMTs are stationed at the back of Lawler Arena.
Students will pick up their cap and gown at the Grad Fair. Students who are unable to attend the Grad Fair can order their cap and gown through the Merrimack Bookstore beginning April 27, 2026. Students can call the bookstore at (978) 837-5431 or visit the bookstore in person during their normal business hours.
Pricing for cap, gown and hood is as follows:
Bachelor Packages – $89.99
Graduate Packages – $99.99
All undergraduate and graduate students participating in Commencement events should plan to attend the Grad Fair on Wednesday, April 22, from noon – 7 p.m. in the Sakowich Campus Center. At the Grad Fair, students can purchase their cap and gown and pick up Commencement parking passes. There will also be several tables with information about Commencement and completing your time at Merrimack including: Financial Aid, Registrar, O’Brien Center for Career Development, Merrimack Bookstore, Josten’s and more.
Undergraduate students who have qualified for academic honors will be sent information on how to get cords from the College during the Honors Brunch.
Students will pick up their cap and gown during the Grad Fair on Wednesday, April 22, from noon – 7 p.m. in the MPR located in the Sakowich Campus Center.
Diplomas will be mailed to each student’s home address in the middle of June. If there have been any changes to your mailing address, students should make sure their current address is on file with the Registrar. Merrimack has partnered with Parchment this year to provide digital diplomas as well. Students will get an email from Parchment directing them to the website to set up an account. Once logged in, students can access their digital diploma.
Parking lots will open one hour prior to the start of each ceremony. Parking passes are required to park on campus.
Each participating graduate will receive a parking pass for themselves and up to two parking passes for guests that can be used for all Commencement events.
Merrimack College is located at 315 Turnpike St. in North Andover, Massachusetts.
Yes, all graduates will have their photograph taken after walking across the stage at the individual school ceremonies on Thursday, May 14 and Friday, May 15.
Photos will be available approximately one week after your ceremony.
All personal photos must be taken from your seating location. Professional photography will be available for purchase.
Please visit Merrimack’s Commencement Archive page to see past live streams of the event, digital programs and more.
All members of the Class of 1976 and Golden Graduates are invited to march in the Commencement Procession.
Because regalia must be ordered for each individual through the Merrimack bookstore, it is imperative that you pre-register by Thursday, April 30, 2026.
Yes. Alumni may each invite a guest (1) to accompany them at the Commencement Ceremony. Guests participate in all aspects of the day but do not march.
Regalia will be provided, though MUST be ordered in advance. The deadline for ordering regalia is Thursday, April 30, so please fill out RSVPs with your correct sizing. Since participants and guests will be outside for part of the time, attire should align with weather conditions in late Spring.
Please let us know your concerns. We expect to be able to accommodate your needs and would be delighted to do so. Please contact [email protected] for assistance.
The exercises will be held regardless of weather conditions. The procession and all seating is inside Lawler Arena.
For questions, contact [email protected].