Bethlehem Commencement Information

• Pick up cap, gown and tickets at the Bethlehem Campus Bookstore on the following days and times.
  • Monday, May 18 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
  • Tuesday, May 19 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
  • Wednesday, May 20 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
  • Thursday, May 21 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. (Rehearsal 9:30 a.m.; Commencement 6:30 p.m.)
• Gowns are packaged and may be creased – pick up early to allow time for hanging or steaming.
• Students graduating with honors may replace the blue and white tassel with the gold one or wear both.
• Gold tassels are distributed at rehearsal.
• Caps can be tastefully decorated. The cap and gown are yours as a keepsake of this milestone.

Graduates receive four (4) tickets for family and friends to attend the ceremony when you pick up your cap and gown.

• Your guests (anyone three years old or older) must have a ticket to enter the Spartan Center.
• The College does not have extra tickets to give you – ask other graduates if they are using all of their tickets.
• Doors open at 4:30 p.m. Seating is first come, first serve – no reserved seats.
• Please notify your guests that the procession starts at 6:15 p.m. and the doors will close at that time.
• A live stream can be viewed in the Student Life Zone for non-ticket holders and families with small children (limited seating).
• Anyone unable to attend the Commencement can view the live stream by going to Northampton’s website: https://www.northampton.edu/about/commencement.
  Live stream starts 30 minutes before the ceremony.

• Rehearsal will be held at 9:30 a.m. on Thursday, May 21, 2026, in the Student Life Zone.
• We strongly encourage all graduates participating in the Commencement Ceremony to attend the rehearsal. Upon arrival, please visit the check-in table to pick up your reader card.

• 5:30 p.m. Graduates arrive to robe in Student Life Zone

• 6:00 p.m. the Line of March forms

• 6:15 p.m. the Processional begins

• 6:30 p.m. Commencement Ceremony begins. (The ceremony runs approximately 2 hours.)

• Celebrate – cheer, wave, take photos, post on social media at #nccgrad on social media posts the day of commencement, so, we can share on NCC stories!
  Note: NCC can only share from a public account. 
• Bring flowers – and flowers will be on sale in the lobby.
• Buy a commemorative tee-shirt with all the graduates names on it for sale the day of the ceremony or pre-order here: https://www.thecommencementgroup.com/northampton
• Come to the reception afterward.

• No banners or large signs
• No balloons of any kind
• No confetti cannons or air horns. No noise makers of any kind
• No alcohol, drugs, smoking, vaping
• No fireworks, firearms, or weapons
• No standing in the aisles

Will be open from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. the day of Commencement for last minute gifts for graduates.

• Your diploma will be mailed to the address on record in Workday and should arrive by the middle of June.
• An email with a link to download your e-diploma through Parchment.com will also be sent to your student email soon after the commencement ceremony.

• Select a spot on campus to meet up with your family and friends after the ceremony.
• Attend the reception for graduates, their families, and friends following the ceremony outside in the quad area between the College Center and Kopecek Hall. In the event of rain, the reception will be held in Laub Lounge, second floor of College Center.