Commencement 2025
Congratulations, Warriors! Graduating seniors and graduate students will mark the end of their academic journeys at Merrimack during school-based ceremonies on May 15 and 16.
Merrimack College Celebrates Class of 2024
For most of the students in Merrimack College’s Class of 2024, the 74th Commencement Exercises held in Lawler Arena on Thursday, May 16, and Friday, May 17, were their first formal graduation ceremony since middle school, due to restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Commencement 2025 Schedule of Events
Friday, May 2
- 4 p.m. – Honors Convocation
Thursday, May 15
- 9 a.m. – Nursing Pinning, MPR
- 9 a.m. – School of Arts and Sciences Commencement, Lawler Arena
- 1 p.m. -School of Nursing and Health Sciences Commencement, Lawler Arena
- 4:30 p.m. – Baccalaureate Mass, Lawler Arena
Friday, May 16
- 9 a.m. – Girard School of Business Commencement, Lawler Arena
- 12 p.m. – School of Engineering and Computational Sciences Commencement, Lawler Arena
- 4 p.m. – School of Education & Social Policy Commencement, Lawler Arena
Honors Convocation
Honors Convocation will take place on Friday, May 3, 2024 at 4 p.m.
Friday, May 17, 2024
Arts & Sciences, Engineering & Computational Sciences, Girard School of Business and Winston School of Education & Social Policy Commencement Ceremonies
Please note these details are subject to change. We will continue to make updates to the weekend’s activities as they become available.
Schedule of Events
- 9 a.m. – School of Arts & Sciences Commencement, Lawler Arena
- 12 p.m. – School of Engineering & Computational Sciences Commencement, Lawler Arena
- 3 p.m. – Girard School of Business Commencement, Lawler Arena
- 6 p.m. – Winston School of Education & Social Policy Commencement, Lawler Arena
Thursday, May 16, 2024
Thursday, May 16, 2024School of Nursing and Health Sciences Pinning and Commencement | Lawler Arena
9 a.m. – Nursing Pinning Ceremony
Noon – Nursing and Health Sciences Commencement
Info for Students
For the Nursing Pinning Ceremony, students will be sent specific information.
For Commencement, graduating undergraduate and graduate students should report to line up at 10:30 a.m. All graduating students should wear their regalia.
Info for Guests
Parking lots will open one hour before each ceremony. Tickets are not required for any Commencement events. Lawler Arena will open for guests 45 minutes prior to each ceremony at the following times:
8:15 a.m – Nursing Pinning Ceremony
11:15 a.m. – School of Nursing and Health Sciences Commencement
Seating is available at a first-come, first-served basis.
During the Ceremony
Students and guests should remain seated throughout the events. Events will last approximately 90 minutes. Restrooms during the ceremony are located in the Merrimack Athletic Complex.
Legacy Family Social
2 – 3 p.m.| Rogers Center for the Arts
Legacy students are invited to commemorate their legacy with light refreshments and photo opportunities. By invite only.
Baccalaureate Mass
4:30 p.m.| Lawler Arena
Lawler Arena will open for guests at 3:45 p.m. for Baccalaureate Mass.
Seating is available at a first-come, first-served basis.
During the Ceremony
Students and guests should remain seated throughout the events. Baccalaureate Mass will last approximately one hour.
President’s Reception
6 p.m. | O’Brien Plaza
Following Baccalaureate Mass, all are invited to a reception on O’Brien Plaza.
Friday, May 17, 2024
School-based Commencement Ceremonies – Graduate and Undergraduate
Lawler Arena
Merrimack College will hold five school-based Commencement ceremonies for undergraduate and graduate students and their guests. All ceremonies will take place at Lawler Arena. These ceremonies will take place throughout the day at the following times:
- 9 a.m. – School of Arts and Sciences
- Noon – School of Engineering and Computational Sciences
- 3 p.m. – Girard School of Business
- 6 p.m – Winston School of Education and Social Policy
At these ceremonies each student will cross the stage, have their name read and receive a diploma cover.
Info for Students
Line Up Times
Graduating students should report 90 minutes prior to the start of their individual school ceremony in their regalia. Please arrive at the following times:
7:30 a.m. – School of Arts and Sciences
10:30 a.m. – School of Engineering and Computational Sciences
1:30 p.m. – Girard School of Business
4:30 – Winston School of Education and Social Policy
Info for Guests
Parking lots open one hour before each ceremony. Tickets are not required for Commencement events. Lawler Arena will open for guests 45 minutes before each ceremony at the following times:
8:15 a.m. – School of Arts and Sciences
11:15 a.m. – School of Engineering and Computational Sciences
2:15 p.m. – Girard School of Business
5:15 p.m. – Winston School of Education and Social Policy
Seating is on a first-come; first-served basis.
During the Ceremony
Each ceremony will last for approximately 90 minutes. Restrooms during the ceremony are located in the lobby of the Merrimack Athletic Complex. Students and guests should remain seated throughout the events.
Commencement FAQs
No tickets are required for any Commencement events and there is no limit to the number of guests who can attend. The limit is in the number of parking passes to access campus.
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.
Commencement events will take place principally on Thursday, May 16 and Friday, May 17.
There will be five individual school-based ceremonies over two days, and the community will come together to celebrate Baccalaureate Mass. All of these ceremonies will take place in Lawler Arena.
Thursday, May 16, 2024
9 a.m. – Nursing Pinning Ceremony, Lawler Arena
Noon – Nursing and Health Sciences Commencement, Lawler Arena
4:30 p.m. – Baccalaureate Mass, Lawler Arena
6 p.m. – President’s Reception, O’Brien Plaza
Friday, May 17, 2024
9 a.m. – School of Arts and Sciences
Noon – School of Engineering and Computational Sciences
3 p.m. – Girard School of Business
6 p.m. – Winston School of Education and Social Policy
Both undergraduate and graduate students will be recognized at the school-based ceremonies.
The Merrimack community will gather at on Thursday, May 16 at 4:30 p.m. in Lawler Arena for Baccalaureate Mass. All members of the Merrimack Community are invited to attend. No tickets are necessary and seating will be on a first-come, first-served basis.
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 90 minutes.
Yes, all graduates will walk across the stage and their names will be read aloud at the individual school ceremonies on Thursday, May 16 and Friday, May 17.
Diplomas will be mailed to each student’s home address at the beginning of June. If there have been any changes to your mailing address, students should make sure their current address is on file with the Warrior One Stop. 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.
Yes, Commencement will be live-streamed on merrimack.edu. A link and additional information will be shared closer to the event.
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.
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.
No, flowers are not available for purchase at Commencement events.
First Aid Stations
EMTs are stationed at the back of Lawler Arena.
Students who were 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.
2024 Package pricing are:
Undergraduate – $56.99
Graduate – $64.99
All undergraduate and graduate students participating in Commencement events should plan to attend the Grad Fair:
Wednesday, April 24
Noon – 7 p.m.
MPR 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 a number of 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.
Students who have qualified for academic honors will be sent information on how to get cords from the College.
Students who were unable to attend can contact the Merrimack Bookstore to order their regalia.
Each student will receive one parking pass for themselves and up to two parking passes for guests. Only those with parking passes will be permitted to park on campus during Commencement events. Parking passes are valid for all Commencement events. Parking lots will open one hour prior to each ceremony.
Additional parking for Commencement will be available at Andover Landing, Haverhill St. (Rt. 133) Andover, MA. Shuttle service will be provided to and from Andover Landing.
Those with handicap placards and a guest parking pass will be directed by the Merrimack College Police Department and parking attendants to park. Guests can also be dropped off at the Ash Centre circle.
Merrimack College is located at 315 Turnpike St. in North Andover, Massachusetts.
Additional parking for Commencement will be available at Andover Landing, Haverhill St. (Rt. 133) Andover, MA. Shuttle service will be provided to and from Andover Landing.
Yes, all graduates will have their photograph taken after walking across the stage at the individual school ceremonies on Thursday, May 16 and Friday, May 17.
Photos will be available approximately one week after your ceremony:
- Go to www.barksdalephoto.com
- Scroll over “What are you looking for?”
- Click “Commencements”
- Find Merrimack College
- View and order your prints
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.
