CNS Senior Recognition Ceremony
Sunday, May 17, 2026, in the Mullins Center
Undergraduates are encouraged to attend both the University Commencement on Friday, May 15, which is the official graduation ceremony where degrees are conferred, and the College of Natural Sciences Senior Recognition Ceremony on May 17, a personalized ceremony where each CNS graduate crosses the stage as their name is announced, is presented with a commemorative medal, and appears on the jumbo video screens. The College of Natural Sciences Senior Recognition Ceremony on May 17 requires advance registration and ticketing.
Learn more about UMass Commencement.
Doctoral Hooding
Saturday, May 9, 2026
10 a.m. in the Mullins Center; tickets required
Master's and Education Specialists Ceremony
Friday, May 15, 2026
9 a.m. in the Mullins Center; tickets required
Undergraduate Commencement
Friday, May 15, 2026
5 p.m. in McGuirk Alumni Stadium
All UMass graduates receiving bachelor's degrees attend; tickets not required
Stockbridge School of Agriculture Associate Degree Commencement
Saturday, May 16, 2026
3 p.m. in Bowker Auditorium
All Stockbridge graduates receiving associate degrees attend; tickets not required
College of Natural Sciences Senior Recognition
Sunday, May 17, 2026
Ceremonies at 1:00 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. in the Mullins Center
Due to the size of the 2026 graduating class, the CNS Senior Recognition has been split into two ceremonies this year with each CNS major assigned to a specific ceremony.
All CNS graduates receiving bachelor's degrees attend; tickets are required and are booked through Tassel, the online registration platform for all UMass commencement ceremonies. The deadline to register for the six guest tickets per graduate is April 18, 2026. Guests without tickets will be able to view the livestream of the ceremony online.
CNS Majors Participating in the 1:00 p.m. Senior Recognition Ceremony
- Astronomy
- Animal Science
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Food Science
- Microbiology
- Pre-Veterinary Science
- Physics
- Science
- Veterinary Technology
CNS Majors Participating in the 4:30 p.m. Senior Recognition Ceremony
- Applied Plant and Soil Science
- Building and Construction Technology
- Earth Systems
- Environmental Science
- Geography
- Geology
- Horticultural Science
- Natural Resources Conservation
- Mathematics
- Neuroscience
- Psychology
- Statistics and Data Science
- Sustainable Food and Farming
- Turfgrass Science and Management
CNS Senior Recognition Ceremony Ticket Waitlist
CNS graduates wishing to receive more than six tickets can sign up for an additional four tickets via the CNS Senior Recognition Ticket Waitlist. After April 18, 2026, all unreserved guest tickets will be redistributed to CNS graduates who requested additional tickets through the waitlist form. Only CNS graduates can add their name to the ticket waitlist. The deadline to request additional tickets on the waitlist form is April 30, 2026.
There is no guarantee that there will be any waitlist tickets available or that graduates will receive the number of waitlist tickets they requested. Graduates requesting extra tickets will receive an email several days prior to the Senior Recognition Ceremony on May 17 letting them know whether additional tickets are available to them, at which point they will need to claim their tickets via the Mullins Center online ticketing portal. Both CNS Senior Recognition ceremonies will be live streamed.
Additional Senior Recognition Information
Schedule for May 17th 1:00 p.m. Senior Recognition Ceremony
- 11:30 a.m.: Graduating students check in at the tent located behind (west of) the Mullins Center
- 12:30 p.m.: Seating of graduates commences
- 1:00 p.m.: CNS Stage Party and Faculty Procession
- 1:05 - 1:15 p.m.: Deans’ Welcome
- 1:15 - 2:15 a.m.: Recognition of individual graduates by major
- 2:30 p.m.: Celebratory UMass cheer and hat toss
Schedule for May 17th 4:30 p.m. Senior Recognition Ceremony
- 3:00 p.m.: Graduating students check in at the tent located behind (west of) the Mullins Center
- 4:00 p.m.: Seating of graduates commences
- 4:30 p.m.: CNS Stage Party and Faculty Procession
- 4:35 - 4:45 p.m.: Deans’ Welcome
- 4:45 - 5:45 p.m.: Recognition of individual graduates by major
- 5:50 p.m.: Celebratory UMass cheer and hat toss
Senior Recognition Tickets
Tickets will be required to attend the CNS Senior Recognition Ceremonies in the Mullins Center.
Due to the limited seating capacity of the Mullins Center, guests will be admitted to the Senior Recognition ceremony by ticket only. Each graduate will be allotted six tickets for their guests. Graduates will not be required to have a ticket for Senior Recognition; only invited guests need a ticket for entry. Graduates should register their guests through the online Tassel platform. The deadline to register for guest tickets is April 18, 2026, after which any unclaimed tickets will be redistributed to graduates requesting additional tickets using the CNS Senior Recognition Ticket Waitlist.
Guest tickets will be distributed to registered students’ Mullins Center accounts the week prior to CNS Senior Recognition on May 17. Instructions on how to create a Mullins Center account will be emailed to graduates beforehand.
Tickets can either be presented and scanned from a printed copy or from any smart device. Once a ticket has been scanned, it cannot be scanned again. If graduates invite more than six guests, it is with the understanding that they may not be admitted, as extra tickets on the day of are not guaranteed and guests without tickets will be denied entry.
Senior Recognition will be live-streamed so that family members and supporters can join the celebration from anywhere. A link to the live stream will be posted on the Senior Recognition page a few days prior to the ceremony.
Waitlist for Additional Tickets
Graduates requesting additional tickets to the CNS Senior Recognition should complete and submit the CNS Senior Recognition Ticket Waitlist form. Please note there is no guarantee that there will be additional tickets to distribute or that you will receive the number of additional tickets requested. Graduates will be notified if additional tickets are available a few days prior to the Senior Recognition on May 17. Only CNS graduates can add their name to the ticket waitlist.
Sharing Unused Tickets
Guest tickets are transferable, and graduates can share these tickets with other students if they do not need them all. Information on how to do this can be found when they register with Tassel. Tickets shared must be for the same ceremony (either 1:00 p.m. or 4:30 p.m.).
Planning Your Visit
Security at Mullins Center
All guests and graduates will be required to walk through metal detectors when entering the venue. To expedite the process, we ask guests and graduates to remove cell phones from their pockets. Purses, diaper bags, and other small personal bags are allowed but will be inspected at all entrances. Outside food or beverages will NOT be allowed. Weapons of any kind and tobacco products are not permitted inside the arena. For details on security procedures and a full list of prohibited items, please visit the Mullins Center website.
FAQs for Graduates
What is the difference between Commencement and CNS Senior Recognition?
We encourage undergraduates and families to attend both the Undergraduate Commencement ceremony on Friday, May 15, at 5:00 p.m. and the CNS Senior Recognition on Sunday, May 17, at the assigned time for their major.
The Friday, May 15, 5:00 p.m. commencement ceremony at McGuirk Stadium is a fun and celebratory event held outdoors, where degrees are conferred; the Commencement Wind Ensemble plays; and Chancellor, student, and keynote speakers address the graduates and guests.
The CNS Senior Recognition is smaller and more intimate where graduates’ names are called and each are recognized individually.
What is Tassel?
Tassel is an online platform where graduates can register for each ceremony they plan to attend, reserve guest tickets, and verify how their name will be pronounced at their senior recognition ceremony, doctoral hooding, or Master's and Education Specialist Commencement Ceremony. Graduates will receive an email with a customized link to access their Tassel account and complete registration for each ceremony they plan to attend. The deadline for registering through Tassel is April 18, 2026.
What is traffic usually like? How will I know where to go?
Plan at least an hour of travel time once you arrive in the Amherst area. UMass Police officers will direct traffic and parking. Shuttle services will be available to take graduates and guests from parking lots the undergraduate ceremonies.
Who gets to walk in the University Commencement and the CNS Senior Recognition Ceremony?
An undergraduate student’s year of graduation is established by the Registrar’s Office. To be eligible to participate in the 2026 commencement ceremony, students must have fulfilled all requirements by the date of the ceremony or be scheduled to do so by September of 2026.
Students who are expected to graduate in winter of 2026 but want to walk in May of 2026, need to contact the Registrar's Office, Diploma and Graduation Services at reggrad [at] registrar [dot] umass [dot] edu (reggrad[at]registrar[dot]umass[dot]edu) no later than March 31, 2026.
How many guests am I allowed to bring?
Tickets are not required for the Commencement ceremony in McGuirk Stadium.
For CNS Senior Recognition on May 17, each graduate will be allotted 6 guest tickets. The ceremony will be live streamed for guests who do not have tickets.
What should I wear to the ceremony?
Students must dress in graduate caps and gowns.
Where can I get my cap and gown?
This year, UMass will be partnering with Herff Jones to provide caps, gowns, tams, and hoods for undergraduates, graduates, and faculty. This new partnership comes with new ordering procedures and deadlines. Additional information will be posted, and students and faculty will receive emails with instructions for ordering their regalia.
Undergraduates
Order your cap, gown, and tassel free of charge from Herff Jones to be picked up at the Commencement Fair on Wednesday, May 6, 2026. Graduating seniors will receive an email with instructions once the site is ready to accept orders.
Students who live away from campus may elect to have their cap and gown shipped to them for a small fee.
Graduate Students
Information regarding standard and custom orders will be posted here, and students will also receive an email with instructions for placing their order.
- There is no charge for caps, tams, gowns, or tassels, regardless of your degree.
- Hoods for master's degree recipients are free of charge.
- Discipline-specific doctoral hoods will be available for purchase at the UMass Store.
I am enrolled in two majors, what should I do?
Primary, secondary, and dual degree majors participating in the same CNS ceremony should sit with only one of their two majors and go up to the stage only once during the ceremony. Primary and secondary majors eligible to participate in both ceremonies may attend both, but they will need to register for both ceremonies in Tassel and check in under the graduate line up tent on lot 67 on May 17 prior to both ceremonies.
When will I get my diploma?
Diplomas are not distributed during the Friday and Sunday ceremonies. They are mailed post-Commencement to the student's permanent address after the grades have been received, recorded, and processed by the Registrar's Office. To ensure the delivery of diplomas, all graduates should check SPIRE to make certain that their diploma mailing address is accurately recorded. Please log in to SPIRE then go to your Academics tile and then in your left menu click graduation > diploma preferences to update your mailing address.
Questions regarding diplomas? Please contact the Registrar’s Office, located at 213 Whitmore Administration Building, by phone at 413-545-0555, or via email at reggrad [at] registrar [dot] umass [dot] edu (reggrad[at]registrar[dot]umass[dot]edu).
I am unable to attend the ceremony; will I still be able to receive my commemorative medal and CNS gift?
Seniors may arrange to receive a medal and an event program by contacting the University Events Office (commencement [at] admin [dot] umass [dot] edu (commencement[at]admin[dot]umass[dot]edu)) or calling (413) 577-1101.
The College gives each graduating senior a small gift at the ceremony. If seniors would like to arrange receiving this, please contact the CNS Advising Center at cnsstudentsuccess [at] umass [dot] edu (cnsstudentsuccess[at]umass[dot]edu) or call (413) 545-1969. If leaving a message, please leave your name and phone number along with your reason for calling.
How long are seniors be allowed to stay in their on-campus housing?
Seniors are automatically allowed to remain in their dorm rooms until Monday, May 18 at 10 a.m. Click here for more information.
FAQs for Families
How should I plan for the weather?
Commencement in McGuirk Stadium will be held rain or shine, so if there is potentially unpleasant weather, we would encourage wearing a raincoat, bringing an umbrella, and perhaps a towel to sit on. If sunshine and clear skies are expected, just remember that shade is virtually nonexistent in the stadium so please consider bringing a hat and sunscreen. Senior Recognition Ceremony is indoors in the Mullins Center.
What should families and guests wear?
Families and guests should dress comfortably, wearing shoes appropriate for walking.
How do we purchase CNS Senior Recognition pictures of our graduate?
UMass has arranged for Geskus as our portrait photography partner for the 2026 Commencement ceremonies. Photographers from Geskus will be on campus to take cap-and-gown photos as well as professional photos during the week before Commencement in the Campus Center and during the CNS Senior Recognition Ceremony.
If You Have Further Questions...
If you have further questions regarding the CNS Senior Recognition Ceremonies, please feel free to contact Karen Schimmel, kschimmel [at] umass [dot] edu (kschimmel[at]umass[dot]edu).
More information about all university commencement activities can be found on the university commencement web page.
To view a recording of Senior Recognition Ceremony from May 18, 2025, click here.