MGHIHP 2026 - Student Commencement Booklet

MGH INSTITUTE OF HEALTH PROFESSIONS COMMENCEMENT 2026

This booklet contains important information for 2026 Graduating Students about:

Commencement 2026 Saturday, May 9th, 2026 The Thomas M. Menino Convention and Exhibition Center (MCEC) 415 Summer Street Boston, MA 02115

Commencement

Greetings!!

2026

Commencement is just around the corner! The 2026 Commencement Ceremonies will be held on Saturday, May 9th, 2026, at the Thomas M. Menino Convention and Exhibition Center (MCEC) in Boston.

This booklet will provide you with detailed information about these events. Please read all the information carefully. Be sure that you review the schedule for your school as there will be two ceremonies held on May9th.

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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 • Cap and Gown (Regalia) information • Floor plans for the Thomas M. Menino Convention and Exhibition Center (MCEC) • Directions to the MCEC with parking information • Information about tickets for admission to the Commencement Ceremonies Tickets are required for entrance to this event. Each graduate is provided with ten tickets for admission to be used by your guests for entrance to the Commencement Ceremony. These tickets will be distributed electronically and can be printed or scanned from the guest’s phone.

Be sure to tell invited guests to hold these tickets in a secure place and have them with them on Commencement Day as replacements will not be available, and no admission will be allowed without them. NOTE: Children who will be seated on a guest’s lap will not need a ticket. Children requiring their own seat will need a ticket Hopefully you have ordered your Cap and Gown through University Caps and Gown, INC. Caps and Gowns are delivered directly to you based on the information provided at the time of your order. If you have not ordered, please email commencement@mghihp.edu and we will put you in touch with our cap and gown representatives. Be sure to bring all pieces of your delivered cap and gown with you on Commencement day! Important note: Caps and Gowns are yours to keep after the Commencement Ceremonies.

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.

SCHEDULES FOR THE DAY School of Nursing Students - please report to the Thomas M. Menino Convention and Exhibition Center (MCEC), Level 1 North Lobby by no later than 8:30 a.m. on Saturday, May 9th. (See details for this ceremony on the following pages.)

School of Health and Rehabilitation Science - please report to the Thomas M. Menino Convention and Exhibition Center (MCEC), Level 1 North Lobby by no later than 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 9th.

(See details for this ceremony on the following pages.)

All graduates will check in at the Level 1 North Lobby and will then be directed to the preparation areas for line-up. Your program and commencement staff will assist you with line-up, practicing for the group hooding moment, proper positioning of your hood, and any other instructions. Guests should be directed to the ballroom on level 3 where doors will open one hour before your scheduled ceremony.

LEVEL ONE CHECK IN AND GUEST ENTRANCE LOCATION

North Lobby – Level 1 • Entrance to the facility for all attendees • Check-In for Graduates • Information Booth • Flowers

School of Nursing Schedule for Graduation Day – Saturday, May 9th:

Note: Light snacks and drinks will be available for students in their line-up and preparation areas. SelfServe Market on Summer will be open on the 1st floor of the Convention Center for food and snacks for our guests. Starbucks is also located on the ground floor lobby of the Westin Boston Waterfront Hotel adjacent to the MCEC and is open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Event

Time

Location Thomas M. Menino Convention and Exhibition Center (MCEC)

All Graduates Report Time

8:30 a.m.

You will check in at the North Lobby – Level 1

Procession Begins

9:45 a.m.

Ballroom Lobby East/West- 3rd Floor

Commencement Ceremony

10:00 a.m. sharp

Ballroom East/West - 3rd Floor

Ceremony Details: 8:30 a.m. – Graduates report to the Convention Center and check in at the North Lobby- Level 1. You will be directed to your preparation and line-up area from there.

9:00 - 9:40 a.m. - Program Staff will prepare all graduates for the lineup in room 104ABC. Please make sure that you have your Grad Pass from the Tassel system available as that QR code will trigger the system to read your name as you cross the stage. Your program staff will review the seating and stage instructions with you. Please follow the directions of your program staff member.

9:45 a.m. - The academic procession begins, moving from Level 1 up to the Ballroom East/West on Level 3. Please follow the directions of your Program Staff and Faculty Marshals.

10:00 a.m. sharp - Commencement Ceremony begins.

12:00 noon (approx.) - Commencement Ceremony ends. After the stage party, directors and faculty have recessed, graduates will recess from the ballroom, at the direction of the Faculty Marshals, and return to the preparation rooms on Level 1 to pick up personal belongings. Please remove any personal items left in room 104ABC. Note: It is strongly suggested that you have one of your guests hold on to personal items. The line-up room will be secure and staffed, but there is no storage for personal belongings other than coat racks for outerwear. Cell phones will need to be silenced during the ceremony.

School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences Schedule for Graduation Day – Saturday, May 9th:

Note: Light snacks and drinks will be available for students in their line-up and preparation areas. SelfServe Market on Summer will be open on the 1st floor of the Convention Center for food and snacks for our guests. Starbucks is also located on the ground floor lobby of the Westin Boston Waterfront Hotel adjacent to the MCEC and is open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Event

Time

Location Thomas M. Menino Convention and Exhibition Center (MCEC)

All Graduates Report Time

12:30 p.m.

You will check in at the North Lobby – Level 1

Procession Begins

1:45 p.m.

Ballroom Lobby East/West- 3rd Floor

Commencement Ceremony

2:00 p.m. sharp

Ballroom East/West - 3rd Floor

Ceremony Details: 12:30 p.m. – Graduates report to the Convention Center and check in at the North Lobby- Level 1. You will be directed to your preparation and line-up area from there.

1:00 - 1:40 p.m. - Program Staff will prepare graduates for the lineup in 104ABC. Please make sure that you have your Grad Pass from the Tassel system available as that QR code will trigger the system to read your name as you cross the stage. Your program staff will review the seating and stage instructions with you. Please follow the directions of your program staff member.

1:45 p.m. - The academic procession begins, moving from Level 1 up to the Ballroom East/West on Level 3. Please follow the directions of your Program Staff and Faculty Marshals.

2:00 p.m. sharp - Commencement Ceremony begins.

4:00 p.m. (approx.) - Commencement Ceremony ends. After the stage party, directors and faculty have recessed, graduates will recess from the ballroom, at the direction of the Faculty Marshals, and return to the preparation rooms on Level 1 to pick up personal belongings. Please remove any personal items left in room 104ABC. Note: It is strongly suggested that you have one of your guests hold on to personal items. The line-up room will be secure and staffed, but there is no storage for personal belongings other than coat racks for outerwear. Cell phones will need to be silenced during the ceremony.

Commencement Ceremony Logistics for all graduating students Grad Pass: Your “Grad Pass”, which will be required when checking in for the Ceremony, will be released to you on Monday April 27th and you will need to download it to check in on the day of the ceremony. Upon check-in, please have it available on your hand-held device or have a printed copy with you. When checking in, you will be handed a new FINAL version that will be held by you until you approach the stage at the Ceremony. Staff will be on hand as you approach the stage and will take your FINAL card which will be used to introduce you as you walk across the stage.

Seating: The Faculty Marshals will direct the seating. Graduating students will be seated in the auditorium in the center section alphabetically within programs. It is important to maintain your place in the procession so that you will be in the correct order as you cross the stage.

Conferring of degrees, hooding and presentation of diplomas and certificates: After awards presentations, President Jones will ask the graduates of all graduate level programs to stand for the group hooding moment.

After the group hooding moment, graduates, directed by the Faculty Marshals, are to move out of the row to their left, forming a line in the aisle in preparation for the walk across the stage. To not block the view of those seated behind, other program graduates should then be seated until it is time for their row to stand and go forward.

Please note, you may not end up in the same seat after your degree has been conferred so do not leave belongings on your seat.

When you reach the stairs to the stage, show your Grad Pass to the staff member who will scan the QR code.

Walk up the stairs and move across the stage and receive congratulations from your Dean/Program Chair and then from President Jones and the Chair of the Board before exiting the stage. Continue down the steps on the right side of the stage where you will be handed a diploma cover, pause for another photo, and file back into your row to your seat. Out of respect for your fellow graduates, please do not exit the ballroom prior to the conclusion of the ceremony.

Recessional: At the end of the ceremony, the stage party, the Program Directors, and the Faculty will recess first and form a corridor in the lobby outside of the Ballroom. At the direction of the Faculty Marshals, the graduates will then recess through this corridor to applause and continue in line directly back to your preparation rooms. It is necessary that you stay with your classmates and not break away from the line to ensure a smooth and safe exit from the ballroom. Guests will follow once the procession has left the ballroom. You should plan to meet back up with guests on Level 1 once you have gathered your belongings from your preparation room.

Diplomas/Certificates: May 2026 Graduates will receive an electronic copy of their diploma on Commencement day and a paper copy in the mail 2-4 weeks following the conclusion of the ceremony. Please make sure that your address is up to date in IOnline so that your diploma can be mailed to you. January Graduates have already received actual Diplomas/Certificates. Diplomas/Certificates for students completing in September or October of 2026 will be mailed upon successful completion of all degree requirements followed by a vote of the Board of Trustees in September.

Proper attire: As the gowns are black, it is suggested that you wear dark shoes for the ceremony. No sandals, flip-flops or sneakers are allowed! We ask that you respect the dignity of this event by making no modifications to Graduation Caps or Gowns. Staff will monitor this and will ask you to remove any modifications that may have been made. Visit the Commencement webpage for more information about Academic Regalia.

CONVENTION AND EXHIBITION CENTER FLOOR PLANS

LEVEL 1

Information and Spare Cap and Gown Station (Level 1) Downtown Boston

101 Commencement Supplies and Storage 102AB Staff only – Meeting/Food/Break room

WEST Side of Building

104ABC Graduating Students Ceremony Prep/Line-up

Summer Street

EAST Side of Building

North Lobby – Level 1 -Entrance to the facility for all attendees -Check-In for Graduates -Information Booth -Flowers

Entrance to Level 1 North Lobby

EAST Side of Building

LEVEL 2 251 Stage Party/Board of Trustees Room

253ABC Faculty Robing & Meals area

LEVEL 3 WEST Side of Building

EAST Side of Building

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.

252A VIP/Awardee Photo Room

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.

Stroller Parking Station For guests with

DIRECTIONS TO THE THOMAS M. MENINO CONVENTION AND EXHIBITION CENTER (MCEC) 415 Summer Street Boston, MA 02115 Visit the MCEC 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 MCEC 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 MCEC 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 MCEC 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 MCEC 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 MCEC/World Trade Center Avenue.

3. Take a left onto World Trade Center Ave, to the MCEC across Summer Street.

For more information visit: www.mbta.com From South Station: 1.

MCEC 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 MCEC 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. The cost for parking in the South Lot is $35.

To self-park, from Summer Street, turn onto East Side Drive, drive past the Uber/Lyft/Rideshare pickup and drop-off area, 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 Lot parking area in front of you. Accessible parking spaces are also located in this lot, closest to the building (the same parking rates apply).

If you require special parking, such as overnight parking, covered parking, or any other amenity, we recommend looking at Parkopedia which will provide details on what is available at other local garages.

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 MCEC on the Southeast side of the building will be open. (See floor plans above)

THOMAS M. MENINO

PHOTOGRAPHY GradImages®, a division of Balfour, will photograph each graduate 2-3 times •

First photo will be in the hooding area with your faculty hooders prior to your walk across the stage.

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Second photo will be as you are walking across the stage.

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Third photo will be after you exit the stage. Photography staff will be on hand to set you for this photo holding a diploma case.

GradImages® is proud to support one of the biggest moments in a graduate’s life: walking across the stage and into the next chapter. With over 40 years of experience, they understand the importance of this moment and the desire to preserve these memories for a lifetime. Finding your photos after the ceremony is easy. Visit www.gradimages.com to view and purchase custom photo products like prints, plaques, specialty gifts, and more.

You can also pre-register your contact information using the link below. Upon completion, you will receive a coupon code for 20% off an order of $50 or more: https://www.gradimages.com/Registration

If have any questions or concerns regarding your photos, please contact their Customer Service Department at (800) 261-2576, online at www.gradimages.com, or email ecc.giservice@gradimages.net.

They have a large team of customer care representatives ready to help graduates and family members with anything they may need.

Specialty IHP Doctoral Regalia Important note: Doctoral Students are provided with the standard Doctoral Regalia prior to the ceremony.

This regalia is yours to keep.

After Graduation, students who received a PhD or Entry-Level Doctoral degrees, can order authentic Institute Regalia for keepsake from Balfour/University Cap and Gown.

This is a great item for alumni moving into teaching positions who will use regalia at annual Commencements and other important academic events. All orders should be submitted directly to University Cap and Gown after the Commencement Ceremony.

(For MGH Institute PhD/Doctoral Candidates and PhD/Doctoral alumni only).

VISIT OUR COMMENCEMENT STORE ONLINE AT https://www.balfour.com/massachusetts/boston/mgh-institute-of-health-professions

SCHEDULE A PROFESSIONAL AND/OR CAP & GOWN PORTRAIT AND VISIT OUR CLASS RING REPRESENTATIVES BETWEEN 12 NOON AND 6:00 P.M. ON THE FOLLOWING DATES IN THE LOBBY OF BUILDING 36 (SHOUSE BUILDING) Tuesday, April 14, 2026 And Wednesday, April 15, 2026 Simply sign up for your appointment below and a photographer will take your Business Professional Portrait and/or Cap & Gown Portrait.

There’s no sitting fee, no obligation to purchase.

You will receive a link to view your proofs online after the event.

Sign Up for an appointment Here

Pre-Order Flowers/T-Shirts here: https://www.thecommencementgroup.com/mgh/

We look forward to seeing you on Saturday May 9th!