Fitchburg State University will hold its undergraduate commencement ceremony Saturday, May 16, 2026 at 8 a.m. on the main quadrangle.
Action Items for Graduation
Clearance for Graduation and Confirmation of Attendance
To confirm you have been cleared to participate in graduation as well as to indicate if you will attend, please log into MyFalcon and click on View Application to Graduate.
It is essential that we know the exact number of students attending the ceremony. If you will not be able to attend, please contact the Registrar’s Office by Friday, May 1, 2026 at 978.665.4196 or registrar@fitchburgstate.edu.
Transcripts
If you took courses at another university, transcripts must be received by Friday, May 29, 2026.
Caps and Gowns
Graduation regalia packages must be purchased in advance of the ceremony through the bookstore, at buildagrad.com/fitchburgstate, or we can assist you inside the store. The price of the Master’s package is $83, and the CAGS package is $84. We also have a wide selection of diploma frames available to show off your great achievement.
All cap-and-gown packages consist of cap, gown, and tassel. Packages are available to purchase prior to graduation and will appear on our website. Packages are also available for pick-up at our first-ever Graduation and Commencement Fair. Please contact the bookstore with any questions regarding graduation regalia at 978.665.4026.
Diplomas
At graduation, you will receive a diploma cover with a certificate enclosed. All diplomas will be mailed to graduates by early July. Your name will be engraved on your diploma as you indicated on your commencement application.
Ceremony Information
Commencement Ceremony Schedule
Commencement is scheduled for Saturday, May 16, 2026 on the main quadrangle of the Fitchburg State campus. There is no commencement rehearsal. Please arrive no later than 6 a.m. Volunteers will be available to assist you. The ceremony will be approximately an hour and a half.
Guest seating area will open at 6:00 AM. Graduates will be lined up alphabetically within their school and by graduate degree. 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. 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 school dean. Your name will be read as you cross the stage and receive your diploma cover from President Hodge. Please return to your seat promptly upon exiting the stage.
The ceremony will also be streamed live on FATV (and digital downloads of the ceremony will be posted later at fatv.org/fsu).
Graduates will be lined up alphabetically within their school and by graduate degree. 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. 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 school dean. Your name will be read as you cross the stage and receive your diploma cover from the president. Please return to your seat promptly upon exiting the stage.
Commencement Ceremony Decorum
Commencement is a true milestone for each and every student. We welcome your excitement and enthusiasm as we celebrate this grand occasion. We also ask that our graduates and their guests respect the importance and dignity of the proceedings by staying for the entire ceremony. Guests who leave early may distract from the event, which would be disrespectful to the other graduates and their families.
Parking
Directions to the campus and parking lots can be found on our maps and directions page. Shuttle buses will be in operation.
Campus Buildings and Services
All buildings will be open for restroom facilities. There will be several water stations throughout the quad. Snacks and water will also be available for purchase.
Inclement Weather Plan
In the event of inclement weather, the ceremony will be moved indoors to the Athletics and Recreation Center.
- On Friday, May 15, a decision will be made regarding whether it is necessary to move graduation indoors to the Athletics and Recreation Center. This announcement will be posted on the Fitchburg State University website, distributed through email, and shared on university social media.
- Due to limited seating in the Athletics and Recreation Center, tickets will be required for admittance. You will be instructed on how to electronically request and receive your tickets if and when a decision is made to move the event inside. Alternate viewing areas will be available for non-ticketed guests.
- All campus parking lots will be open and shuttle buses will run between the Intermodal Parking Center, Civic Center, Hammond Hall and the Conlon Hall Fine Arts wing to shuttle guests to the Athletics and Recreation Center.
- There will be no reception in the event of severe weather.
Graduates and Guests with Disabilities
Graduates and guests who have a disability can request accommodations through Disability Services. To request accommodations, please complete the disability accommodations form(opens in a new tab) by Friday, May 8. All requests will be reviewed, and seating and/or parking passes will be mailed to the address provided on the form.
The event will be captioned live online at fitchburgstate.edu/captioning and the ceremony will be ASL interpreted. To discuss seating near the ASL interpreter, please contact the Disability Services Office at 978.665.4020 or email Ambray Ernst at aernst2@fitchburgstate.edu.
Please note: Guests with a disability are allowed to have one additional guest seated with them in the accessible seating area.
Photographs
During the ceremony, access to the stage area for picture taking or videotaping by guests will be prohibited. Please relay this information to your guests. A professional photograph will be taken as you receive your diploma cover and congratulations from the president, and a free digital download will be sent to your university email address courtesy of the Fitchburg State University Alumni Association.
Regalia
Hood Color by School
ARTS and SCIENCES
- Applied Communications – White
- Arts Education – Light Blue
- Counseling – White
- Criminal Justice – White
- English – White
- History –
- White Interdisciplinary Studies – White
BUSINESS and TECHNOLOGY
- Business Administration – Drab
- Computer Science – Golden Yellow
- Construction Management – Golden Yellow
- Occupational Education – Light Blue
EDUCATION
- Curriculum and Teaching – Light Blue
- Early Childhood Education (PreK-2) – Light Blue
- Education (5-12) – Light Blue Educational Leadership and Management – Light Blue
- Elementary Education (1-6) – Light Blue
- Pedagogy and Learning – Light Blue
- Special Education – Light Blue
HEALTH and NATURAL SCIENCES
- Forensic Nursing – Apricot
