New England College Celebrates the Class of 2025

The College celebrated the graduation of over 1,300 students for the 2024–2025 academic year and hosted CNN anchor Dana Bash.

New England College (NEC) held its 78th Commencement ceremony on Saturday, May 2, on the Simon Lawn in Henniker and celebrated the achievements of the class of 2025, including the first graduates from NEC’s three-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing program. Throughout the 2024–2025 academic year, approximately 1,349 students graduated from NEC’s on-campus and online undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs.

“We pride ourselves on meeting students where they are upon arrival at NEC and accompanying them on their academic journeys,” stated Dr. Wayne F. Lesperance, Jr., President of New England College. “These graduates leave our campus full of promise and just in time. Their communities, countries, and the world need new ideas, dedication, and commitment to the common good—values celebrated at NEC. Our graduates are the answer to the challenges we face; may they heed the call to make a difference in the world.”

Graduates, their families and friends, and NEC guests heard from CNN Anchor and Chief Political Correspondent Dana Bash, who served as Commencement speaker. Ms. Bash received an honorary doctorate from NEC during the ceremony.

“There is a whole world out there for each of you that you can’t even fathom right now,” Ms. Bash told graduates. “Take advantage. Be excited about it. Push yourself out of that comfort zone. You will be better off, and as a consequence, so will the rest of us.”

Watch the recording of the 2025 Commencement ceremony.

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