Commencement is held outdoors on NEC’s scenic Simon Green with open seating (no tickets required). First-come, first-served seating opens at 8:00 a.m.
If weather is inclement, Commencement will move to the Lee Clement Ice Arena (limited seating). A live broadcast will be available in Bridges Gym. The location decision will be made 48 hours in advance and shared on the College’s website.
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.
Nursing Pinning Ceremony
5:00 p.m. | Rosamond Page Putnam Center for the Performing Arts
Nursing graduates and guests are invited to a symbolic ceremony celebrating the transition into the nursing profession, followed by a reception. RSVP required at necnursing@nec.edu.
Breakfast Buffet
7:30–9:30 a.m. | Gilmore Dining Hall
Pay at the door: $9.75 per person.
RSVP required through the form below.
Commencement Ceremony
10:00 a.m. | Simon Green
Rain Location: Lee Clement Ice Arena
Celebrate New England College’s 78th Commencement! Graduates, families, friends, alumni, students, faculty, and staff are all welcome. Commencement typically lasts two hours.
Commencement Reception
The Class of 2025, along with their guests, are invited to a reception in the Simon Center Great Room immediately after the Commencement ceremony.
CNN Anchor and Chief Political Correspondent Dana Bash has been named the Commencement speaker for New England College’s 2025 graduation ceremony on May 3. In addition, the New England College Board of Trustees has authorized the awarding of the Doctor of Humane Letters honoris causa to Bash in recognition of her achievements.
As CNN’s chief political correspondent since 2015, Bash plays an instrumental role in CNN’s coverage of American politics. In addition to her role as anchor of Inside Politics with Dana Bash and State of the Union with Jake Tapper and Dana Bash, she has launched two CNN series: Being…, which shows viewers the human beings behind the public faces of those affecting American politics and culture, and Badass Women of Washington, featuring women across the spectrum of life who have shattered the glass ceiling. In 2019, Bash won the National Press Foundation’s Sol Taishoff Award for Excellence in Broadcast Journalism.
“We could not be more excited to welcome Dana Bash to NEC,” stated Dr. Wayne F. Lesperance, Jr., President of New England College. “The importance of civic engagement is a thread we weave throughout the student experience at NEC, and I believe our graduating class will be inspired by Ms. Bash’s experiences, perspective, and role in American politics.”
Regalia is available for purchase from now until March 9, 2025. You may select to have regalia shipped directly to you at your home address, or you may select to have it shipped to New England College. Please note that your regalia order does not ship until ordering has closed.
If you select to have regalia shipped to New England College, you will still be required to enter a home shipping address as a contingency. New England College absorbs shipping costs for regalia selected to ship to New England College. Information on how to pick up regalia before the 2025 Commencement ceremony will be provided soon.
Ordering regalia does not guarantee a student’s eligibility to participate in the Commencement ceremony. For questions on eligibility, please contact the Registrar’s office at 603.428.2203.
Unable to attend the 2025 Commencement ceremony? You can still take advantage of this opportunity to purchase regalia for a home celebration or photoshoot.
Know your major but confused about your degree? View NEC’s degree reference guide.
The Jostens online store offers plain or customized graduation announcements, class or deluxe rings, and collegiate tags.
Students indicate their intention to participate in the Commencement Ceremony when they file their Intent to Graduate Form with the Registrar’s 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’s webpage. If you have any questions or concerns regarding your eligibility to graduate, please contact the Registrar’s 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 2024 and May 2025. 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. Commencement eligibility will be determined by the Registrar’s Office.
If your anticipated graduation date changes, you must notify the Registrar’s 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.
Looking or overnight accommodations near New England College?
Visit the photo gallery link to view, purchase, and download images from the ceremony as well as individual photos of graduates receiving their diplomas. Congratulations to the New England College Class of 2024!