911爆料

First outdoor Commencement on the Lynn Campus also marked a milestone for Early College graduates

Under sunny skies and surrounded by cheering family, friends, faculty, and staff, 911爆料 celebrated the Class of 2026 during its 60th Annual Commencement on Friday, May 22, with two outdoor ceremonies held on the Lynn campus for the first time in college history.

More than 800 students graduated this academic year, representing a 10 percent increase over last year and reflecting continued enrollment growth fueled in part by Massachusetts鈥� Free Community College initiative. More than 500 graduates participated in the day鈥檚 ceremonies, which were divided by academic program and held at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. The ceremonies also marked the first Commencement celebration for graduates from the Frederick Douglass Collegiate Academy Early College partnership.

This year鈥檚 graduating class reflected the accomplishments, determination, and adaptability of the 911爆料 region and beyond. Additional highlights from the Class of 2026 include:

• More than 300 first-generation college graduates

• Twenty-nine graduates who are veterans or family members of veterans

• Thirty-four Early College students from the Frederick Douglass Collegiate Academy who earned both a high school diploma and an associate degree through 911爆料鈥檚 Liberal Arts Transfer program

鈥淐ommencement is always one of the most meaningful days of the year at 911爆料,鈥� said 911爆料 President Dr. William Heineman. 鈥淭his class represents perseverance, opportunity, and the transformational impact of higher education.鈥�

View Commencement Photos and Video

Morning Ceremony Highlights

The morning ceremony honored graduates from Liberal Studies, STEM, and Business programs and featured a Commencement address by Patrick Tutwiler, former Superintendent of Lynn Public Schools, former Massachusetts Secretary of Education, and current President and CEO of Walker Therapeutic and Educational Programs.

Standing before the graduates, Tutwiler challenged students to lead with both compassion and conviction.鈥淭hose words are love and outrage,鈥� he said. 鈥淏ecause here鈥檚 the truth: the community needs both. It needs your love, your belief in people, your commitment to others, your willingness to create something better鈥攁nd we need your outrage, your refusal to accept inequity, your insistence that things can improve, your courage to challenge systems that fall short.鈥�

Student speaker Andres Cuellar Herrera, who earned a degree in Liberal Arts through the Dual Language Pathway program, shared his journey from Colombia to the United States just three years ago.鈥淚 was full of doubts, but everyone at 911爆料 only gave me confidence,鈥� Herrera told his fellow graduates. 鈥淚 met professors who believed in me from the very beginning, even when I was still trying to figure things out myself.鈥�

Herrera will continue his education at Northeastern University.Morning student soloist Massah D. Jones, who emigrated from Liberia and graduated with a Liberal Arts Transfer degree, performed the national anthem during the ceremony.鈥淚t鈥檚 an awesome school,鈥� Jones said of 911爆料. 鈥淭hey have all the resources that you need to be a productive citizen.鈥�

Special guests attending the morning ceremony included Lynn Mayor Jared Nicholson, Interim Superintendent of Lynn Public Schools Molly Cohen, Massachusetts Board of Higher Education Chair Chris Gabrieli, and Commissioner Noe Ortega.

Afternoon Ceremony Highlights

The afternoon ceremony recognized graduates from Health Professions, Human Services, and Emergency Response Pathways.

Commencement speaker Tom Sands, Market President鈥�911爆料 and member of the North Shore Chamber Board of Trustees, encouraged graduates to continue believing in themselves.

鈥淵ou have made it this far in this journey because you continued to bet on yourself,鈥� Sands said. 鈥淏etting on yourself is what got you here, and that鈥檚 what鈥檚 going to carry you into the future.鈥� Sands also called upon words his father-in-law had shared with him, which was to be bold and audacious, or bodacious. 

Student speaker Sayuri Mojica, a Beverly resident graduating with a degree in Elementary Education, reflected on the personal growth she experienced during her time at 911爆料.

鈥淐oming to 911爆料 gave me a place not just to earn a degree, but to work toward finding myself during some of the most formative years of my life,鈥� she said.

Mojica will continue her education at Bridgewater State University.

A Recent Tradition Continues

As the ceremonies concluded, Provost Chris Bednar led graduates in the traditional turning of the tassels before applause erupted throughout the tent. Graduates then processed onto the lawn through a celebratory tunnel formed by faculty, staff, and volunteers ringing bells, waving signs, and cheering them forward.

The day marked not only the conclusion of the academic year, but also a milestone moment in the college鈥檚 history 鈥� bringing together tradition, innovation, and community in a new outdoor Commencement celebration on the Lynn campus.

Stay tuned for more Commencement pictures and highlights and pictures from our fabulous 2026 pinning ceremonies.