IMPORTANT! UNH Manchester Commencement postponed to Monday, May 23 due to heat advisory and possibility of thunderstorms.
2022 COMMENCEMENT
Northeast Delta Dental Stadium
1 Line Dr., Manchester, NH 03101
view the 2022 commencement program
As both a college and a campus of the University of New Hampshire, we host an annual commencement ceremony for our students here in Manchester. The ceremony is a very special occasion for students and families. It's also very important to the faculty and staff who have mentored and supported the students along the way. The personal attention students receive here is carried through graduation as each student's name is called and they walk across the stage to accept their University of New Hampshire degree.
Registration to participate in the 2022 Manchester commencement ceremony has now closed. Please contact Dana Pierce at dana.pierce@unh.edu with any questions.
Commencement is an important part of university life where we celebrate the culmination of hard work and achievement. Commencement awards recognize individuals whose achievements have made significant contributions to the citizens of the State of New Hampshire or society as a whole. Nominations are due by November 8.
Commencement Speaker Criteria
- Nominee's background offers the ability to inspire, motivate, and enlighten graduates
- The nominee can elicit curiosity, instill knowledge, educate, and offer wisdom to graduates
- The nominee is an experienced and eloquent public speaker
Granite State Award Criteria
- The nominee has provided extraordinary service to the State of New Hampshire
- Nominee's achievements in his/her own particular sphere have made a beneficial contribution to the State of New Hampshire.
- Granite State Awards are also conferred upon agencies, corporations, and foundations when they have provided extraordinary services or have otherwise provided great benefit to the state.
NOTE: A Granite State Award cannot be offered to a previous recipient unless there is substantial evidence of significant and distinct additional merit or service that warrants eligibility for a second nomination. See the list of previous winners.
REQUIREMENTS
Caps and Gowns (regalia) are required for all faculty and graduates participating in the commencement ceremony. Gown styles differ for Bachelor, Masters and Ph.D. candidates. The cap and gown vendor know what is required and will provide you with the appropriate regalia.
How to Order Caps and Gowns
Cap and gowns will be shipped directly to your home. Order deadline for 2022 commencement is May 1.
order here
PRICING
- Shipping: $15
- Bachelor (Gown, Cap & Tassel included): $17
- Master/Ph.D. (Gown, Cap, Hood & Tassel included): $33.40
QUESTIONS
If you have questions or concerns about your order, please contact our vendor University Cap and Gown at 1(844)-711-6100.
Submit a free, personalized message and photo thanking your family and friends for supporting you while you pursued your degree. Your message will display on the video screen at the stadium prior to the ceremony. Deadline to submit: May 9, 2022. submit your shout-out!
Join us on Friday, May 6 from 3 to 6 p.m. for the 2022 Commencement Fair Celebration! The event will be held in the back lot at UNH Manchester.
- Enjoy free food from local food trucks
- Enter to win raffle prizes, including a diploma frame and VIP tickets to commencement
- Free giveaways at the alumni and CaPs tables
- Pick up honors tassels (if applicable)
- Take shoutout photos with friends
- Take headshot photos for your LinkedIn profile
- Games, music and more!
How long is the ceremony?
Typically, the ceremony 90 minutes.
When should I arrive?
Graduates and guests should arrive between 6PM and 6:15PM to account for parking, registration, and to line up for the processional. Graduates should arrive robed and ready to go! We encourage grads and their guests arrive together to help to limit parking congestion before and after the event. There will be ample signage to help direct you to the proper entrance. At the gates, staff will guide graduates and guests to their seats. PLEASE NOTE: Granite State College has their commencement ceremony prior to UNH Manchester’s, so the doors will NOT open before 6PM so there is no need to arrive earlier than 6PM.
When will the ceremony begin?
7PM
What is the schedule for the ceremony?
Below is an overview of the ceremony. The ceremony, including the conferral of degrees, is approximately 90 minutes.
Processional
- National Anthem
- Welcome and Introduction from the President and Dean
- Student Speaker
- Keynote Speaker: Honorary Doctorate in Humane Letters
- Granite State Award
- Conferring of Degrees
- Associate
- Bachelor's
- Master's
- Student names are read
- Conclusion
How will I know when it's time for my row to walk toward the graduation stage and how will I know where to go?
A staff member will be telling each row when to rise and which way to go. You will walk down the third base line towards home plate, where you'll find the College official/s announcing the names of each graduate. When your name is called you will proceed towards home plate to receive your congratulatory note from the President. You can wave to your loved ones, then proceed down the first base line. You will stop half-way and have your photo taken. A staff member will be there to stop you for your photo. You will continue back to your seat and sit.
Will I actually get my diploma during the ceremony?
No. You will receive diploma cover that contains a congratulatory note. Because we award degrees throughout the year, many graduates have already received their diplomas by mail. If you are completing your program in May, your diploma will be mailed when academic records and certification of graduation are complete: approximately six to eight weeks after the conferral date. Conferral is pending successful completion of all remaining course work in your programs.
How does the ceremony end? How do I meet up with my loved ones?
Upon completion of the ceremony grads will be directed out of the stadium gates where they can meet up with their families.
Are tickets for guests required?
No, tickets are not required for the event this year.
Where will my guests be seated? Where will graduates be seated?
Seating for commencement is general admission. All graduates will be seated on the field.
When should my guests arrive?
Graduates and guests should arrive between 6PM and 6:15PM to account for parking, registration, and to line up for the processional. We encourage grads and their guests arrive together to help to limit parking congestion before and after the event. There will be ample signage to help direct you to the proper entrance. At the gates, staff will guide graduates and guests to their seats. PLEASE NOTE: Granite State College has their commencement ceremony prior to UNH Manchester’s, so the doors will NOT open before 6PM so there is no need to arrive earlier than 6PM.
What can I bring into the stadium? Are there bag checks?
The stadium staff will maintain bag check protocol. This is a hands-free procedure where guests will put their purses/bags on a table to be checked by a staffer with a drumstick.
Will the concessions be open?
Yes. Guests will be able to purchase water, other beverages, and light fare.
GUESTS WITH ACCESSIBILITY NEEDS
Students are asked to provide us with information regarding special accommodations for themselves and their guests. Please contact Dana Pierce at (603) 641-4348 or Dana.Pierce@unh.edu at least two weeks before the ceremony so we can best assist you.
UNH Security Officers and ushers will be available during the ceremony to offer additional assistance.
Directions and PARKING
Northeast Delta Dental Stadium is located at 1 Line Dr, Manchester, NH 03101.
For directions to the stadium, please visit: https://www.milb.com/new-hampshire/ballpark/directions-parking
Grads and guests will have free parking access to the SNHU Millyard Parking Garage, located next to the Fisher Cats Stadium, with the entrance on Commercial Street. Free parking is also available at UNH Manchester (88 Commercial Street), a short walk away from the stadium. The City of Manchester has metered parking spots near the stadium, which are free on Sundays. The Manchester Police Department will assist with the traffic flow before and after the ceremony. Their intentions are to move traffic as swiftly as possible while managing pedestrians. Please give equal consideration to your departure as well as your arrival.
Accessible Parking
The stadium is ADA compliant and there are designated handicapped parking spaces in front of Delta Dental Stadium for those who have plates/stickers. Individuals needing assistance can use the cul-de-sac in front of Delta Dental Stadium as a drop-off and pick-up point. Traffic can be difficult to manage near the ballpark.
International guests may need an invitation letter to apply for a tourist visa to visit the U.S. for Commencement. Students who would like the Commencement Office to send an official invitation letter to their guests should complete the online request form. It is wise to request the invitation letter well in advance of your guest's intended visit as he/she will need to allow time to apply for a visa and make appropriate arrangements to travel.
The invitation letter will be addressed to the embassy/visa office of the guest's country of origin. The letter will be emailed to the graduate for them to mail to the invitee. Please allow up to 2 weeks for your request to be processed and mailed.
Letter Request
The following information will be needed in order to fill out the online request form, and for the request to be processed:
- The embassy/visa office address
- Guest's full name
- Guest's country of origin
- Guest's date of birth
- Guest's relationship to the student
- Student's name
- Student's country of origin
- Student's date of birth
PARTICIPATION
Faculty MUST register if they plan to participate in the Commencement Ceremony. Please NOTE: Faculty who do not register or arrive late for the procession cannot be guaranteed seating in the faculty section.
Regalia
Formal academic regalia, as determined by your highest degree and the institution at which it was earned, is required for Commencement Ceremony. Faculty members must bring your own regalia or order a rental.
If you do not own regalia, it may be rented or purchased by visiting the Faculty Regalia Registration Home Page. Faculty are responsible for all charges associated with the rental, purchase and shipping of regalia.
Contact Dana Pierce if you have questions at dana.pierce@unh.edu.
PARKING
Faculty are asked to park in the WMUR parking lot.
Diplomas are mailed 8-12 weeks after the graduation certification process.
Diploma covers are given at Commencement.
Will appear exactly as indicated on your Intent to Graduate form.
For changes contact the UNH Manchester Registration Office, 603-641-4136 or unh.diploma@unh.edu.
Diplomas are mailed to the address provided on your Intent to Graduate form. Do not provide a campus mailing address. Verify mailing address, in WEBCAT and select Personal Information.
Please NOTE: International addresses may delay receiving diploma.
Contact unh.diploma@unh.edu for more information.
GradImages® is the official photographer for Commencement. A proof of student photos will be available after the ceremony. To view your proofs online, please visit the GradImages site.
Pictures may be ordered online, by phone, or by mail.
If you have any questions please contact Customer Service at 1-800-261-2576 or via email at giservice@gradimages.net.