Greetings!!
Commencement 2026
Commencement is just around the corner! The 2026 Commencement Ceremonies will be held on Saturday, May 9th, 2026, at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center (BCEC) in Boston. This booklet will provide you with detailed information about these events. Please read all information carefully. Be sure that you review the schedule for your school as there will be two ceremonies held on May 9th.
• The School of Nursing at 10:00 a.m.
• The School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences at 2:00 p.m.
Enclosed, you will find the following information:
• Event details
• Health Guidelines
• Cap and Gown (Regalia) information
• Floor plans for the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center (BCEC)
• Directions to the BCEC with parking information
All attendees at the 2026 Commencement Ceremony will NOT be required to be fully vaccinated in order to enter the facility. Masks are optional but preferred.
Caps and gowns will be delivered to home addresses for those that did not attend the Inauguration in February and ordered rental regalia. Be sure to bring all pieces of your regalia with you on Commencement Day.
Important note: Rental Caps and Gowns must be returned immediately following ceremonies. A representative from University Cap and Gown will be outside of the faculty preparation room at the end of the ceremonies to collect any rented regalia.
Stage Party, and Special Guest caps and gowns will be available at the BCEC in the preparation room 251, Level 2, on the day of the event.
HEALTH GUIDELINES: While masking will not be mandatory at these events, the MGH Institute strongly suggests masking and will provide masks onsite for graduates and their guests.
Please review the remaining information/instructions carefully.
School of Nursing – Ceremony begins – Ceremony begins at 10:00 a.m.
School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences - Ceremony begins at 2:00 p.m.
SCHEDULE FOR THOSE ATTENDING OR HELPING WITH THE SON MORNING CEREMONY:
• VIP/Stage Party/Trustee/Awardee preparation room is room 251 – East Side – Level 2.
• VIP/Stage Party/Trustee/Awardee photo room is room 252A – East Side – Level 2.
• Faculty/Non-Stage Party Administration preparation room is room 253ABC – East Side – Level 2.
• Staff Room is 102AB – West Side – Level 1.
Important note: for VIP/Stage Party/Trustees/Invited Guests – the Luncheon for the Honorary Degree Recipient will be held from 12:00 – 1:30 p.m. in room 256.
SON CEREMONY
Events
Report time for all VIPs, Trustees, Awardees, Administration and Faculty:
SON CEREMONY Times SON CEREMONY
VIP/Stage Party/Trustees/Awardees Room 251 – Level 2 – East Side Faculty/Non-Stage Party Admin Room 253ABC – Level 2 – East Side
Light Breakfast for Working Staff Snacks for Faculty/Administration Snacks for VIP/Stage Party/Trustees/Awardees 7:30 – 8:30 a.m. 8:00 – 9:00 a.m. 8:00 – 9:00 a.m. Room 102AB – Level 1 – West Side Room 253ABC – Level 2 – East Side Room 251 – Level 2 – East Side
Stage Party/Faculty Line-up for the Commencement Ceremony 9:00 – 9:40 a.m. Hallway Outside of Rooms 251 and 253ABC Level 2 – East Side
Student Only Line-up for the Commencement Ceremony 9:00 – 9:40 a.m Room 104ABC – Level 1 – West Side
Procession Begins 9:45 a.m. From West and East Hallways 1st and 2nd Floor Commencement Ceremony 10:00 a.m. sharp Ballroom East/West - 3rd Floor
Cap and Gown drop off for Trustees, Administration and faculty that ordered. Immediately following the ceremony
SCHEDULE FOR THOSE ATTENDING OR HELPING WITH THE SHRS AFTERNOON CEREMONY:
• VIP/Stage Party/Trustee/Awardee preparation room is room 251 – East Side – Level 1.
• VIP/Stage Party/Trustee/Awardee photo room is room 252A – East Side – Level 1.
• Faculty/Non-Stage Party Administration preparation room is room 253ABC – East Side – Level 1.
• Staff Room is 102AB – West Side – Level 1.
Important note: for VIP/Stage Party/Trustees/Invited Guests – the Luncheon for the Honorary Degree Recipients will be held from 12:00 – 1:30 p.m. in room 256.
SHRS CEREMONY
Report time for working Staff
Report time for all VIPs, Awardees, Administration and Faculty (Some Admin and Trustees will already be participating in morning and afternoon ceremonies and will already have arrived): 12:00 p.m.
– Level 1 – West Side
VIP/Stage Party/Trustees/Awardees Room 251 – Level 2 – East Side
Faculty/Non-Stage Party Admin. Room 253ABC – Level 2 – East Side
Lunch for Working Staff Snacks for Faculty 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 noon 12:00 noon – 1:00 p.m. Room 102AB – Level 1 – West Side Room 253ABC – Level 2 – East Side Room 251 – Level 2 – East Side
Stage Party/Faculty Line-up for the Commencement Ceremony
Outside of Rooms 251 and 253ABC Level 2 – East Side Student Only Line-up for the Commencement Ceremony
104ABC – Level 1 –
Procession Begins 1:45 p.m. From West and East Hallways 1st and 2nd Floor
Commencement Ceremony 2:00 p.m. sharp Ballroom East/West - 3rd Floor
Cap and Gown drop off for Trustees, Administration and faculty that ordered. Immediately following the ceremony
Some important notes about the day:
MOST IMPORTANTLY FOR EVERYONE – HAVE FUN AND ENJOY THE DAY!!!
Note: Stage Party refers to Trustees, VIP’s and Administration who will have a speaking role during the Commencement Ceremony.
Stage Party
• Please report at the times noted on the enclosed schedule based on the ceremony that you will participate in.
• Snacks will be served at the times/location listed on your specific schedule.
• Trustees and Stage Party will be seated in the front row on stage for the Commencement Ceremony. Your preparation room and line-up staff will assist you with the preparation for this.
• Water will only be provided for speakers on stage at the podium. If you need water, it will be available in the preparation rooms prior to the ceremony, and you can bring it with you as you process.
• Remember to return any rented regalia to the drop off location outside of room 251 at the end of the ceremony that you will participate in. (Afternoon for those attending both)
Faculty and Administration who are not part of the Stage Party
• Please report at the time noted on the enclosed schedule
• Snacks will be served at the times/location listed on your specific schedule.
• Faculty will be seated on stage for the Commencement Ceremony. Your preparation room and line-up staff will assist you with the preparation for this.
• Water will only be provided for speakers on stage. If you need water, it will be available in the preparation rooms prior to the ceremony, and you can bring it with you as you process.
• Remember to return any rented regalia to the drop off location outside of room 251 at the end of the ceremony that you will participate in. (Afternoon for those attending both)
Staff
• Staff assigned to the morning ceremony: Please report by 7:30 a.m. on the morning of Commencement. We will meet in 102AB, Level 1 at 7:30 a.m. to go over the day’s schedule and assignments. A light breakfast will be available for all morning ceremony working staff in room 102AB from 7:30 – 8:30 a.m AGAIN - PLEASE REPORT TO ROOM 102AB by no later 7:30 a.m.
• Staff assigned to the afternoon ceremony: Please report by 11:30 a.m. on the day of Commencement. We will meet in 102AB, Level 2 at 11:30 a.m. to go over the day’s schedule and assignments. A light lunch will be available for all afternoon ceremony working staff in room 102AB from 11:30 – 12:30 p.m. AGAIN - PLEASE REPORT TO ROOM 102AB by no later 11:30 a.m.
• Staff are required to be dressed in business casual attire and must wear their event badge throughout the day
We look forward to seeing you on May 9th!
BOSTON CONVENTION AND EXHIBITION CENTER FLOOR PLANS
LEVEL 1
LEVEL 2
-Check-In for Graduates -Information Booth -Flowers Summer Street
North Lobby – Level 1 -Entrance to the facility for all attendees
LEVEL 3
Ballroom Lobby (STUDENTS ONLY – NO GUESTS ALLOWED) This area is reserved to ceremony lineup and procession for graduating students. Guest should proceed to the East Side Entrance.
Entrance to Level 1 North Lobby
Faculty Robing & Meals area
Ballroom East/West Commencement Ceremony
Doors open for guests at 9:00 am for the SHRS/SHL Ceremony. Procession at 9:45 a.m. 10:00 a.m. start
Doors open for guests at 1:00 p.m. for the SON Ceremony. Procession at 1:45 p.m. 2:00 p.m. start
Ballroom Lobby (Guests) Casual seating will be available as well as a stroller station for guests with children. 251 Stage Party/Board of Trustees Room
Stroller Parking Station For guests with
VIP/Awardee Photo Room
DIRECTIONS TO THE BOSTON CONVENTION AND EXHIBITION CENTER
415 Summer Street
Boston, MA 02115
Visit the BCEC website for very detailed information about directions/transportation/parking
DRIVING
From Logan International Airport and Route 1A South
Take I-90 West/Ted Williams Tunnel to Exit 25 "South Boston". At the top of the ramp, turn right onto Congress Street and turn right onto D Street. Take the right after the highway ramp onto Summer Street, go one intersection, and turn left onto East Side Drive.
From Western Massachusetts
Take I-90 Eastbound to Exit 25 "South Boston". At the top of the ramp, turn right onto Congress Street and turn right onto D Street. After the highway ramp, turn right onto Summer Street. The BCEC will be on your left. Take the right after the highway ramp onto Summer Street, go one intersection, and turn left onto East Side Drive.
From Points North via I-93
Take I-93 Southbound to Exit 23 “Purchase Street”. Continue straight on Purchase Street to Seaport Blvd and turn left. Continue on Seaport Blvd. to D Street and turn right. After the highway ramp, turn right onto Summer Street. The BCEC will be on your left. Take the right after the highway ramp onto Summer Street, go one intersection, and turn left onto East Side Drive.
From Points South via I-93
Take I-93 North to Exit 20 "South Boston". Follow the signs to "I-90 East". Take the first tunnel exit to "South Boston". At the first set of lights, take a right onto Congress Street and then turn right on D Street. After the highway ramp, turn right onto Summer Street. The BCEC will be on your left. Take the right after the highway ramp onto Summer Street, go one intersection, and turn left onto East Side Drive.
BY PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION
Via Logan Airport:
The BCEC is a 5-10 minute taxi ride from Logan Airport. Via the MBTA:
1. MBTA Silver Line SL1 route to World Trade Center Station.
2. Exit at the World Trade Center Station and take the elevator up to Level 2. Follow directions to BCEC/World Trade Center Avenue.
3. Take a left onto World Trade Center Ave, to BCEC across Summer Street.
For more information visit: www.mbta.com
From South Station:
1. BCEC can be approached from South Station via bus, rapid transit bus, taxi, or by foot.
For more information visit:
www.amtrak.com www.mbta.com
From North Station:
Take the MBTA subway system to South Station and follow directions above. To plan your route, visit the MBTA Trip Planner.
For more information including fares, visit: www.mbta.com
Parking
All parking for the event will be in the BCEC South Parking Lot (See map below):
If you are carpooling and want to drop folks off before parking, you will be able to make a quick stop at the North Lobby entrance and then proceed to the South Lot to park.
To self-park in the BCEC South Lot, from Summer Street, turn onto East Side Drive and continue straight along the side of the building. At the end of the building, make a right and go down the ramp. At the bottom of the ramp, turn left and you will see the entrance to the South Parking lot in front of you. When you arrive at South Lot, please identify yourself to the attendant. By identifying yourself as either a Trustee, Administration, Faculty, or staff, parking in the South Lot will be complementary .
Regular shuttles will transport all guests from the South Lot to the North Lobby entrance.
Note: If you choose to walk from the parking area, the entrance to the BCEC on the Southeast side of the building will be open. (See floor plans above)
Building Entrance for ALL attendees
Guest Drop Off.
Entrance to the North Lobby, Level 1, is directly adjacent to the guest drop-off location.
Take the escalators to the left once you enter the lobby to the 2nd level and report to your assigned rooms.
We look forward to seeing you on Saturday, May 9th!
