Northern Essex Plans for a “Socially-Distanced” Graduation

Commencement Carlos: 2020 NECC Graduate Carlos Schmidt of Haverhill and his family had their photo taken with the Northern Essex Knight mascot at last June’s celebration package pick up on the Lawrence Campus.
Commencement Carlos: 2020 NECC Graduate Carlos Schmidt of Haverhill and his family had their photo taken with the Northern Essex Knight mascot at last June’s celebration package pick up on the Lawrence Campus.

NECC Announces Graduation Plans
For the Class of 2021

The pandemic has had a tremendous impact on just about everything, including the way colleges celebrate their graduates.

Last year, Northern Essex Community College’s traditional graduation ceremony—typically held in May under a 3,000-person tent on the Haverhill Campus quad—was cancelled and replaced with a virtual ceremony and two celebration package pick-ups.

While everyone tried their best, it was clear that what graduates missed most was the opportunity to walk across the stage in their cap and gown and receive their well-earned associate degree or certificate.

With that in mind, the commencement committee put their heads together and came up with a plan for 2021 that features five small in-person, socially distanced graduation ceremonies organized by academic area.

Each ceremony will be held outside on the Haverhill Campus on Saturday, May 15, starting with the first ceremony at 9 am. A student speaker from each of the areas—STEM, Professional Studies, Health, Liberal Arts, and Business-will be selected by the academic centers to speak and President Lane Glenn will present the diplomas.

Because last year’s ceremony was virtual, 2020 graduates have been invited to participate.

All graduates will be seated 6-feet apart and policies regarding guests will be announced closer to the date, when the guidelines regarding outside events become more clear.

HC Media will be livestreaming all of the ceremonies so family and friends can watch from anywhere. Also the college will be handing out yard signs, which were a big hit last year.

The college has a commencement website that includes the latest information. Please visit that for updates.

Northern Essex Community College has campuses in both Haverhill and Lawrence. It offers approximately 60 associate degree and certificate programs as well as hundreds of noncredit courses designed for personal enrichment and career growth.  Each year, 6,000 students are enrolled in credit associate degree and certificate programs on the Haverhill and Lawrence campuses; and another 2,000 take noncredit workforce development and community education classes on campus, and at businesses and community sites across the Merrimack Valley.  For more information, visit the website at www.necc.mass.edu or call 978-556-3700.