Friday, May 15

  • Opening and Processional: The Commonwealth Pipes & Drums 
  • Call to Order: Interim Provost Noureddine Melikechi
  • Presentation of Colors and National Anthem: Led by Interim Provost Melikechi; ROTC and UMass Lowell Chamber Singers 
  • Welcome and Formal Opening: Associate Vice Chancellor of Marketing and Communications Sarah Corbett
  • Introduction of UMass Student Trustee: UMass Lowell Student Trustee Abby Cooper
  • Greetings from the UMass Board of Trustees: Mary Burns '84
  • Remarks to the Class of 2026: Chancellor Julie Chen 
  • Commencement Address: Yasie Nejad '20 '26
  • Announcement of Distinguished Student Awards: Deputy Chief Financial and Operations Officer Brian Arrigo
  • Alumni Recognition: Vice Chancellor for University Advancement and Global Engagement John Feudo 
  • Chancellor’s Medal for Outstanding University Support Introduction: Vice Chancellor for Research and Economic Development Anne Maglia 
  • Chancellor’s Medal for Outstanding University Support Presentation: Chancellor Julie Chen to Weston & Sampson CEO Frank Ricciardi 
  • Honorary Degree Preview: Interim Provost Noureddine Melikechi
  • Awarding of Doctoral Degrees by College
    • Fine Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences Dean Sue Kim 
    • Engineering Dean Susan Roberts
    • Intercampus Programs by Dean Susan Roberts
    • Sciences Interim Dean Paul Bryce
    • Business Dean Bertie Greer
    • Health Sciences Dean Mary Gallant
  • Recommendation for Conferral: Interim Provost Noureddine Melikechi
  • Conferral of Doctoral Degrees: Chancellor Julie Chen 
  • Awarding of Master's Degrees by College
    • Fine Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences Dean Sue Kim 
    • Engineering Dean Susan Roberts
    • Sciences Interim Dean Paul Bryce
    • Business Dean Bertie Greer
    • Health Sciences Dean Mary Gallant
  • Recommendation for Conferral: Interim Provost Noureddine Melikechi
  • Conferral of Master's Degrees: Chancellor Julie Chen 
  • Closing Remarks: Interim Provost Noureddine Melikechi 
  • Recessional: UMass Lowell Brass Choir

Saturday, May 16 (morning)

  • Opening and Processional: The Commonwealth Pipes & Drums 
  • Call to Order: Provost Joe Hartman
  • Presentation of Colors and National Anthem: Led by Provost Joe Hartman; ROTC and UMass Lowell Chamber Singers 
  • Welcome and Formal Opening: Associate Vice Chancellor of Marketing and Communications Sarah Corbett
  • City of Lowell Greeting: Vice Mayor Vesna Nuon
  • State Introduction: Provost Joe Hartman
  • Commonwealth Greeting: State Rep. Tara Hong
  • Platform Recognition: Director of Athletics Lynn Coutts
  • Trustee Introduction: UMass Lowell Student Trustee Abby Cooper
  • Greetings from the UMass Board of Trustees: Mary Burns '84
  • Remarks to the Class of 2026: Chancellor Julie Chen 
  • Commencement Address: Madelyn Archambault '26
  • Announcement ofDistinguished Student Awards: Deputy Chief Financial and Operations Officer Brian Arrigo
  • Alumni Award Introduction: Vice Chancellor for University Advancement and Global Engagement John Feudo
  • Alumni Award Presentation: Chancellor Julie Chen to Lisa Brothers '84, '91, Retired CEO and President of Nitsch Engineering
  • Honorary Degree Introduction: Vice Chancellor for Research and Economic Development Anne Maglia
  • Honorary Degree Presentation: Chancellor Julie Chen to Jack Hammond, Retired U.S. Army Brigadier General
  • Additional Honorary Degrees: Interim Provost Noureddine Melikechi
  • Honors College Recognition: Honors College Dean Jenifer Whitten-Woodring
  • Degree Presentation: Provost Joe Hartman
    • Engineering Dean Susan Roberts
    • Sciences Interim Dean Paul Bryce
    • Health Sciences Dean Mary Gallant
  • Recommendation for Conferral: Provost Joe Hartman
  • Conferral of Degrees: Chancellor Julie Chen 
  • Closing Remarks: Provost Joe Hartman
  • Recessional: UMass Lowell Brass Choir

Saturday, May 16 (afternoon)

  • Processional: The Commonwealth Pipes & Drums 
  • Call to Order: Interim Provost Noureddine Melikechi 
  • Presentation of Colors and National Anthem: Led by Interim Provost Melikechi; ROTC and UMass Lowell Chamber Singers 
  • Welcome and Formal Opening: Associate Vice Chancellor of Marketing and Communications Sarah Corbett
  • City of Lowell Greeting: Mayor Eric Gitschier
  • State Introduction: Interim Provost Noureddine Melikechi
  • Commonwealth Greeting: State Sen. Vanna Howard
  • Platform Recognition: Director of Athletics Lynn Coutts
  • Trustee Introduction: UMass Lowell Student Trustee Abby Cooper
  • Greetings from the UMass Board of Trustees: Mary Burns '84
  • Remarks to the Class of 2026: Chancellor Julie Chen 
  • Commencement Address: Nokomis Bramantecohen '26
  • Announcement ofDistinguished Student Awards: Deputy Chief Financial and Operations Officer Brian Arrigo
  • Alumni Recognition: Vice Chancellor for University Advancement and Global Engagement John Feudo
  • Honorary Degree Introduction: Vice Chancellor for Research and Economic Development Anne Maglia
  • Honorary Degree Presentation: Chancellor Julie Chen to Tim Sweeney, Chairman, President and CEO of Liberty Mutual Insurance
  • Chancellor’s Medal for Public Service and Civic Engagement Introduction: Dean of Student Affairs & Wellness Brenda Evans 
  • Chancellor’s Medal for Public Service and Civic Engagement Presentation: Chancellor Julie Chen to the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Lowell, Executive Director Joe Hungler accepting
  • Additional Honorary Degrees: Interim Provost Noureddine Melikechi
  • Honors College Recognition: Honors College Dean Jenifer Whitten-Woodring
  • Degree Presentation: Interim Provost Noureddine Melikechi
    • Fine Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences Dean Sue Kim 
    • Business Dean Bertie Greer
  • Recommendation for Conferral: Interim Provost Noureddine Melikechi
  • Conferral of Degrees: Chancellor Julie Chen 
  • Closing Remarks: Interim Provost Noureddine Melikechi 
  • Recessional: UMass Lowell Brass Choir