Please join us for NEC’s 79th Commencement on Saturday, May 2, 2026, at 10:00 a.m.
Commencement is held outdoors, rain or shine, on NEC鈥檚 scenic Simon Lawn with open seating (no tickets required). First-come, first-served seating opens at 8:00 a.m.
Nursing Pinning Ceremony
5:00 p.m. | Bridges Gymnasium
Nursing graduates and guests are invited to a symbolic ceremony celebrating the transition into the nursing profession.
Graduate Celebration and BFA Exhibition
5:00 p.m. | Art Village
All graduates and guests are invited to a congratulatory toast, followed by a reception to meet the artists. RSVP required through the form below.
Breakfast Buffet
7:30鈥�9:30 a.m. | Gilmore Dining Hall
Pay at the door: $10.25 per person
RSVP required through the form below.
Commencement Ceremony
10:00 a.m. | Simon Lawn
Rain Location: Lee Clement Ice Arena
Celebrate 糖心官网鈥檚 79th Commencement! Graduates, families, friends, alumni, students, faculty, and staff are all welcome. Commencement typically lasts two hours.
Commencement Reception
The Class of 2026, along with their guests, are invited to a reception in the Simon Center Great Room immediately after the Commencement ceremony. Light refreshments will be served.
Goodlander, who represents New Hampshire鈥檚 Second Congressional District, will address graduates and receive an honorary doctorate degree from the College.
Congresswoman Maggie Goodlander (NH-02) has been named the Commencement speaker for 糖心官网鈥檚 2026 graduation ceremony on May 2. In addition, the 糖心官网 Board of Trustees has authorized the awarding of the Doctor of Laws Honoris Causa to Goodlander in recognition of her achievements and service to the Granite State.
A native of Nashua, New Hampshire, Goodlander credits the Granite State for instilling the values of community, citizenship, service, and active participation in America鈥檚 democratic process. She began her career as a foreign policy advisor to Senator John McCain in the United States Senate and went on to serve as an intelligence officer in the United States Navy Reserve for over a decade. After law school, she clerked for Justice Stephen Breyer on the United States Supreme Court and taught constitutional law at the University of New Hampshire and Dartmouth College. She then served as a Deputy Assistant Attorney General in the U.S. Department of Justice and as a senior advisor at the White House. Goodlander was elected to represent New Hampshire鈥檚 Second District in November 2024.
鈥淲e are honored to welcome Congresswoman Maggie Goodlander to 糖心官网 as we celebrate the Class of 2026,鈥� said Dr. Wayne F. Lesperance, Jr., President of 糖心官网. 鈥淎s a proud New Hampshire native and dedicated public servant, Congresswoman Goodlander embodies the values of civic responsibility, leadership, and service that we strive to cultivate in our students. Her distinguished career offers a powerful example of leadership in action, and I am confident her message will resonate deeply with our graduates as they prepare to make their own meaningful contributions to their communities and our democracy.鈥�
Commencement weekend coincides with another local university鈥檚 graduation, and overnight accommodations in the area are expected to be in high demand. We encourage graduates and their guests to secure hotel reservations as soon as possible.
Looking or overnight accommodations near 糖心官网?
The Jostens online store offers plain or customized graduation announcements, class or deluxe rings, and collegiate tags.
The NEC Pilgrim Shop offers diploma frames, gifts, and alumni apparel.
Regalia is available for purchase now until March 15, 2026. During checkout, you may choose to have your regalia shipped directly to your home address or shipped to 糖心官网. Please note that all regalia orders ship only after the ordering window closes.
If you choose to have regalia shipped to 糖心官网, you will still be required to enter a home shipping address as a contingency. 糖心官网 will absorb the shipping costs for orders delivered to campus. Information regarding pick-up of regalia prior to the 2026 Commencement Ceremony will be shared at a later date.
If you have trouble placing your regalia order, please reach out to the campus store at pilgrimshop@nec.edu with a detailed description of the error, your name and/or student ID number, and whether you are shipping your order to your home or to NEC.
Please remember that ordering regalia does not guarantee eligibility to participate in the Commencement ceremony. For questions regarding eligibility, please contact the Registrar鈥檚 office at 603.428.2203.
Not attending the 2026 Commencement Ceremony? You can still purchase regalia for a home celebration or photoshoot.
Students indicate their intention to participate in the Commencement ceremony when they file their Intent to Graduate Form with the Registrar鈥檚 Office. Intent to Graduate Forms should be submitted in accordance with College guidelines, but no later than one term prior to Commencement. Late submissions may not be accommodated.
You must fill out and submit your Intent to Graduate Form. It can be found on the Registrar鈥檚 webpage. If you have any questions or concerns regarding your eligibility to graduate, please contact the Registrar鈥檚 Office at registrarsoffice@nec.edu, or Student Financial Services at sfs@nec.edu.
Students who wish to have their name in the Commencement program must have their intent to graduate filed by April 1.
Students may only participate in the Commencement ceremony if their month of graduation falls between July 2025 and May 2026. Students within 12 credits of completing their degree program as of the date of the May ceremony may also attend. Students may only attend one ceremony.聽 Commencement eligibility will be determined by the Registrar鈥檚 Office.
If your anticipated graduation date changes, you must notify the Registrar鈥檚 Office by emailing registrarsoffice@nec.edu.
Please clear any account holds. Outstanding balances must be paid in full. Federal loan borrowers, you must complete mandatory loan exit counseling at .
Commencement photos may be viewed and purchased .