Commencement 2026

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Congratulations to the Class of 2026

Bay Path University's Commencement will be held on May 3, 2026.

The ceremony will begin at 4:00 p.m., and we anticipate the ceremony will take about 2 hours.

Commencement Day Information

Commencement Day Instructions for Students

Students graduating should plan to arrive at the MassMutual Center for robing and processional by 2:00 p.m.

Look for signs directing you to the correct entrance for students located on the corner of Main St and Bruce Landon Way.
Once inside, students will be directed to the Exhibition Hall. Just inside the Exhibition Hall, check in to receive your name card.
Hold on to your name card, as you will present it to the reader at the microphone when you walk across the platform during the program.
When it is time for your major to approach the platform, those students on the left will approach from the left side, and those on the right will approach from the right side. You will receive your diploma cover, stop for your photo, hand your name card to the reader, and shake the hand of the President or the Vice President of Academic Affairs. All students exit the platform from the center ramp and return to their original seats. BPU staff will be there to direct you.
Please remain on the arena floor until the recessional at the end of the ceremony, and help ensure the appropriate decorum to mark this important event in your life.

Directions, Parking, & Lodging

For driving directions and parking information, visit the MassMutual Center Website.

Plan ahead!

We all want this to be a very special day for our graduates and their family and friends. The Greater Springfield area has a wide range of dining options and several attractive hotel venues. Please visit Explore Western Mass as well as MassMutual Center: Area Hotels to find listings of local restaurants and hotels.

As a free parking option, graduates and their families are encouraged to park in the MGM parking garage. Street parking is also available surrounding the MassMutual Center.

Hotel Discount for Graduating Students & Their Families

The Fairfield Inn & Suites Springfield Enfield, located 3 miles from Bay Path and 7 miles from the MassMutual Center, offers a Bay Path University discount.

Free Breakfast
Free Parking

Click on the link before for reservations.
Rate subject to availability

ADA Parking

A map showing where ADA parking is available around the MassMutual Center is available to download. Keep in mind that this parking is first come, first served and is not reserved for MMC guests. There is an ADA drop-off area located on Main Street, right at the corner of Main Street and Bruce Landon Way.

What is Commencement Etiquette?

For Graduates:

Degree candidates are to remain in their assigned seats for the duration of the ceremony.
All electronic devices are to be silenced during the ceremony.
No food or drinks are allowed on the Arena floor at any time.
Graduates can meet family members and guests outside following the ceremony.

For Guests:

Photography and videography is allowed from the Concourse level seating. However, it is not permitted from the arena floor.
For safety, guests are not permitted in the Exhibition Hall or on the floor of the Arena prior to, during, or after the Commencement exercises.
Guests are prohibited from bringing balloons, food, or beverages into the MassMutual Center.

Commencement Tickets

This is not a ticketed event.
Guests are prohibited from bringing balloons, food, or beverages into the MassMutual Center.

Are we limiting the number of guests/occupants for the MassMutual Center?

No. Only in compliance with the local fire codes and/or the capacity limits established by the MassMutual Center.

Accessibility & Accommodations

We want all of our guests to have an opportunity to enjoy this special event. The MassMutual Center is fully accessible. The guest entrance is on Bruce Landon Way between Main Street and Dwight Street. Elevators are located at this entrance.

We will have the services of an interpreter. The MassMutual Center will provide Assisted Listening Devices (ALD’s) upon request. Please call them at (413) 787-6610 to arrange for an ALD two days prior to the event. ALD’s will be available for pickup at the guest services booth on the arena concourse.

Live streaming of the ceremony will be available through the Bay Path University website.

For more information on accessibility and accommodations at the MassMutual Center, please visit their accessibility web page.

ADA Parking

For Graduates

For graduates, the aisle seats will be reserved for anyone requiring accessible seating. If a graduate needs accessible seating, they should notify the Accessibility Office as they confirm their in-person attendance at commencement.

Commencement Celebrations

Psi Chi Induction Ceremony - Traditional Undergraduate Students
April 14, 2026 | 3:00 p.m. | Breck Suite, Wright Hall

Marcia Conrad Awards Ceremony
April 20, 2026 | 5:00 p.m. | Mills Theatre, Carr Hall

Undergraduate Strawberries & Champagne Dinner
April 30, 2026 | 5:00 p.m. | Breck Suite, Wright Hall

Residential College Farewell Celebration Dinner
April 30, 2026 | 6:00 p.m. | Blake Dining Room, Blake Student Commons

Physician Assistant Program Celebration
May 1, 2026 | 5:00 p.m. | Hope Arts Center, Springfield, MA

Rose Ceremony
May 2, 2o26 | 10:00 a.m. | Blake Student Commons

Doctoral Hooding Ceremony
May 2, 2026 | 3:30 p.m. | Mills Theatre, Carr Hall

Cap and Gown Brunch
May 3, 2026 | 10:00 a.m. | Blake Dining Room, Blake Student Commons

Honors Induction Ceremony
May 3, 2026 | 11:30 a.m. | D'Amour Hall, Room 6

Gathering for MS in Higher Education Administration Degree Candidates
May 3, 2026 | 12:30 p.m. | Leary Hall Living Room

ABA Program Celebration
May 3, 2026 | 12:30 p.m. | Ryan Health Science Center, Room 124

Contact Info

Commencement Questions

commencementinfo@baypath.edu