The university's Winter 2023 commencement ceremony is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 22 in the Athletics and Recreation Center, 130 North St. (with an inclement weather date of 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 23). The ceremony, at which both undergraduate and graduate degrees are presented, will be streamed live on Fitchburg Access Television.
Learn more details about the ceremony below or read our full information booklet.
Important Information
Checklist for Graduates
Graduates can see the steps they need to complete to participate in the ceremony.
Commencement Schedule
Commencement is scheduled for Friday, Dec. 22 at 6:30 p.m. There is no rehearsal. Graduates are asked to arrive at the Athletics and Recreation Center no later than 5:30 p.m., where volunteers will be standing by to assist. The ceremony will be approximately two hours long. The guests’ seating area will open at 4:30 p.m.
Graduates will be lined up alphabetically within their division and major. Each graduate's name will be read as they cross the stage and they will receive a diploma cover from President Lapidus. Graduate students will be hooded by the deans on stage prior to receiving their diploma cover.
You will be given an index card on which your name has been typed. If you have a name that is difficult to pronounce, please provide the phonetic spelling. Please do not lose this card! When you approach the platform, this card will be handed to the reader. The chair of your program will lead the graduates on stage and present them to the president and the chairman of the Board of Trustees. Please return to your seat promptly upon exiting the stage.
Parking
Find directions to the campus and designated parking lots for the ceremony. Shuttle buses will be in operation between the Intermodal Center parking garage and the Athletics and Recreation Center from 5 to 9 p.m.
Contact Information
- Registrar: 978.665.4196
- Academic Affairs: 978.665.3168
- School of Graduate, Online and Continuing Education: 978.665.3182
- Bookstore: 978.665.4026
- Alumni: 978.665.3025
- Campus Police: 978.665.3111
- Disability Services: 978.665.4020