Congratulations Class of 2026!

Hoot! Hoot!

Participation in the ceremony is allowed to those graduate students who will have completed all degree requirements by the date of the May ceremony, and to those students who meet the following criteria:

1. Students who have completed all requirements in August or December of the previous year, or January of this year.
2. Students who have completed all course requirements and are expected to complete their thesis/capstone over the summer. This would require the approval of their program administrator.
3. Students who have completed their comprehensive examination/thesis/capstone, and have one unsatisfied course requirement which can be completed by July 15, 2026. This must be a course already scheduled to be offered over summer session I of the same year as the commencement in which they participate.

There will be no exceptions to commencement participation as indicated above. Graduate students must maintain a minimum overall average of 3.0 and meet all other degree requirements in order to be eligible for graduation. Graduate students in good academic standing are by definition honors students. The designation of Latin honors (Summa cum Laude, Magna cum Laude, Cum Laude) does not apply to graduate students. Students are welcome to wear any cords that may have been received at the undergraduate level.

Further details will be sent to eligible students. If you do not receive your detailed letter by the end of April and believe you are eligible, please contact Christa Cervone at 413-572-8804 or ccervone@westfield.ma.edu.

Tickets for this year’s Graduate Commencement for families, friends and guests are not required.

• If you are eligible to participate in Commencement, you will receive an email with a participation form from the Registrar’s office in mid-March.
• If you plan to attend Commencement, you MUST respond to the RSVP form. The RSVP date will be announced soon.
• If you did not receive information about participating in Commencement and would like to participate, please email commencement@westfield.ma.edu.
• Students graduating do not need a ticket.
• All guest seats are General Admission.
• Graduate Commencement guests will enter at the box office located on Bruce Landon Way beginning at 3:00 p.m.
• Guests are prohibited from bringing balloons, food or beverages into the MassMutual Center.
• Graduate Commencement will begin at 4:00 p.m. and last until approximately 6:00 p.m.

Degree candidates must report in cap and gown to the MassMutual Center for robing and processional at 3:30 p.m. on Friday, May 15, 2026. The tassel on your cap should be worn on the left front side. 

1. There is no secure storage for valuables.
2. Look for signs directing you to the correct entrance for students located on the corner of Main St and Bruce Landon Way.
3. Guests will enter the Mass Mutual Center at the Main entrance on Bruce Landon Way.
4. Once inside students will be directed to the Exhibition Hall. Just inside the Exhibition Hall, check in to receive your name card.
5. When your name is called, you will proceed across the stage where you will be greeted by your faculty mentor and hooded, you will then shake the hand of the President or Chair of the Board of Trustees, stop for your photo and then return to your seat.

We expect that students will respect all graduates by returning to their seats quietly until everyone has been hooded and students are pronounced officially graduated. Please do not bring balloons into the MassMutual Center.

Here’s what you need to know to order and pick up your graduation attire:

• Cost: $100.85 (includes cap, gown, hood, and tassel)
• Sizing: You'll need to provide your height and weight for proper fit.
• Degree Information: Your area of study is required, as hood colors vary by degree.
• Pick up regalia at Owl Outfitter Campus Store

Visit the Owl Outfitter Campus Store to place your order.

• There will be no pickup or in-store ordering until mid-April, but orders can be submitted via email until then.
• If you have any questions, feel free to contact Liza at (413) 949-4339 or email Liza.Miller@getugear.com
• Faculty Rentals: Faculty rentals are available in-store and by contacting Liza.Miller@getugear.com

Students will only receive a diploma jacket as you approach the platform. Actual diplomas will be mailed out at a later date.

We know that having photographs of this occasion is very important to family and friends. Therefore, to clearly capture the moment when each graduate walks across the platform, the University has engaged the services of an experienced professional photographer. High-quality color photographs will be offered to every graduate for purchase soon after Commencement.

To align with our commitment to sustainability, digital programs will be accessible on the day of the event. Attendees can use their smartphones to access the program via a QR code provided at the ceremony. Those who are participating virtually will also have the option to view the program.

Please plan ahead for travel and parking.

This time of year is also very busy for Downtown Springfield so please take caution and review all information provided here.

For directions to the MassMutual Center, please visit:

https://www.massmutualcenter.com/plan-your-visit/directions-parking

Please note that some streets will be closed beginning at 10:00 am on Friday, May 15 to prepare for the annual "World's Largest Pancake Breakfast." Impacted streets include Main St to Bridge St, Boland Way, Harrison Ave, Court St, Bruce Landon Way, and City Hall Place, as illustrated on MGM's map.

Parking

Parking is available for free at the MGM parking garage on Union Street and East Columbus Avenue.  Parking is also available in the the Springfield Parking Authority lots and under I-91. Parking Lot 91N and 91S Garage will be offering a reduced $5 rate for Commencement. 

The MassMutual Center now has a new garage located at the corner of Harrison & Dwight, across from the Center.

Leaving the Commencement Ceremony

ADA guests will be able to exit via the elevator.

Enjoy your visit!

The Greater Springfield area has a wide range of dining options and a number of attractive hotel venues. Please visit Explore Western Mass as well as MassMutual Center: Area Hotels to find listings of local restaurants and hotels.

We want all of our guest to have an opportunity to enjoy this special event. The MassMutual Center is fully accessible. Guest entrance is on Bruce Landon Way between Main Street and Dwight Street. Elevators are located at this entrance.

We advise guests requiring wheelchair assistance to bring their personal wheelchairs from home, as venue wheelchairs may be in use. 

We will have closed captioning available on all large screens in the arena and on the live video feed. The MassMutual Center will provide Assisted Listening Devices (ALD’s) upon request. Please call them at 413-787-6610 to arrange for an ALD two days prior to the event. ALD’s will be available for pickup at the guest services booth on the arena concourse. Live streaming of the ceremonies will be available through the WSU home page.

If you or a guest have special needs, please contact the MassMutual Center at 413-271-3257.

For more information on accessibility and accommodations at the MassMutual Center: https://www.massmutualcenter.com/accessibility