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 Brunch – 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
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. 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 will be available in the coming weeks.
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.
Thursday, May 14, 2026
School of Nursing and Health Sciences Commencement, School of Engineering and Computational Sciences Commencement and Girard School of Business Commencement | Lawler Arena
10 a.m. – School of Nursing and Health Sciences Commencement, School of Engineering and Computational Sciences Commencement
2 p.m. – Girard School of Business Commencement
Info for Students
Student Line Up
Graduating undergraduate and graduate students should report to Hammel Court 90 minutes prior to the start of their school ceremony in their regalia. Students should arrive at the following times:
8:30 a.m. – School of Nursing and Health Sciences, School of Engineering and Computational Sciences
12:30 p.m. – Girard School of Business
Info for Guests
Parking lots will open one hour before each ceremony. Parking passes are required to enter campus.
Tickets are not required for any Commencement events. Lawler Arena will open for guests 45 minutes prior to each ceremony at the following times:
9:15 a.m. – School of Nursing and Health Sciences, School of Engineering and Computational Sciences
1:15 p.m. – Girard School of Business Commencement
Seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis.
During the Ceremony
Students and guests should remain seated throughout the ceremony. Ceremonies will last approximately 90 minutes – 2 hours. Restrooms during the ceremony are located in the Merrimack Athletic Complex.
Friday, May 15, 2026
School of Arts and Sciences Commencement, School of Education and Social Policy Commencement, Graduate School of Counseling and Social Work Commencement
10 a.m. – School of Arts and Sciences
2 p.m. – School of Education and Social Policy, Graduate School of Counseling and Social Work
Info for Students
Line Up Times
Graduating students should report to Hammel Court 90 minutes prior to the start of their individual school ceremony in their regalia. Please arrive at the following times:
8:30 a.m. – School of Arts and Sciences
12:30 p.m. – School of Education and Social Policy, Graduate School of Counseling and Social Work
Info for Guests
Parking lots open one hour before each ceremony. Parking passes are required to park on campus.
Tickets are not required for Commencement events. Lawler Arena will open for guests 45 minutes before each ceremony at the following times:
9:15 a.m. – School of Arts and Sciences
1:15 p.m. – School of Education and Social Policy, Graduate School of Counseling and Social Work
Seating is on a first-come; first-served basis.
During the Ceremony
Each ceremony will last for approximately 90 minutes – 2 hours. Restrooms during the ceremony are located in the lobby of the Merrimack Athletic Complex. Students and guests should remain seated throughout the events.
