Undergraduate Student Commencement
Date: Sunday, May 17, 2026
Time: 9:30 AM
Location: MassMutual Center
1277 Main St., Springfield, Mass.
- Student assembly begins at 8:00 AM in the Exhibition Hall at the MassMutual Center
- Students enter through the convention center main entrance at the corner of Main Street and Bruce Landon Way
- Length of ceremony: Approximately 2.5 hours, beginning promptly at 9:30 AM
- Family and Friends: Tickets are not required for this event
Information for Graduating Students
- Student assembly begins at 8:00 AM in the Exhibition Hall
- Arrive no later than 8:30 AM
- Enter through the convention center main entrance at Main Street and Bruce Landon Way
- Do not bring valuables. The assembly space will not be monitored during the ceremony
Accessibility for Students: Graduating students attending the ceremony requiring special accommodations or arrangements should contact staff at Accessibility Services at access@springfield.edu or (413) 748-3389.
Information for Family and Friends
- Guests enter through the arena / box office entrance on Bruce Landon Way
- Accessible seating is available
- One companion may sit with each guest requiring accommodations
- Balloons are not allowed inside the arena
- All bags will be checked by security
Accessibility for Family and Friends: The MassMutual Center offers accessible seating for families and friends of graduates who have a disability or need special seating due to medical reasons. Accommodations will be provided to each guest requiring accessible seating and one additional person to accompany them. Staff from Springfield College and the MassMutual Center will be available to assist those individuals who require accessible seating. An interpreter for those who are hearing-impaired will be part of the Commencement ceremony. For more information about accessibility at the event, or to request disability-related accommodations, please contact the staff at Accessibility Services at academicaffairs@springfield.edu or (413) 748-3959.
Parking and Drop-Off
- Convention Center Carpark (Harrison & Dwight Streets)
- Free parking at MGM Parking Garage
- Drop-off and pick-up available on Bruce Landon Way
- Limited on-street parking downtown
Academic Honor Cords
- Summa Cum Laude (Gold): 3.900–4.000
- Magna Cum Laude (Maroon): 3.700–3.899
- Cum Laude (White): 3.500–3.699
Honor cords are distributed at student check-in. Final honors are determined at the end of the spring semester.
Directions to the MassMutual Center
Since we expect several thousand guests, please allow sufficient time to get through traffic in the Springfield area and find parking before the ceremony begins. All graduating students must arrive at the Exhibition Hall at the MassMutual Center between 8:00 and 8:30 AM. Graduates are required to be in attendance at the pre-ceremony line-up activities no later than 8:30 AM in order to ensure the marching and seating order. The ceremony will begin promptly at 9:30 AM
The MassMutual Center is located at 1277 Main Street, at the corner of Court and Main Street across from Court Square in downtown Springfield.
Traveling North on I-91
Take Exit 5 (Springfield Center) onto East Columbus Avenue. Continue up East Columbus Avenue (about 1/4 mile) to Court Street. Take a right onto Court Street and proceed past Symphony Hall, City Hall, and Sovereign Bank.
Traveling South on I-91
Take Exit 5B (Springfield Center/Columbus Avenue). Turn left at the light at the end of the ramp. Circle under the highway and go straight through one light. Take a right at the second light onto Main Street.
Traveling West on Route 90
Take Exit 51 off the Mass Turnpike to Route 291. From Route 291, take Dwight Street Exit. Turn left at the end of the ramp and follow Dwight Street to the MassMutual Center.
Traveling East on Route 90
Take Exit 45 onto I-91 South. Follow directions above from south on I-91.
