Commencement

Congratulations to all those completing their degree programs and preparing for graduation this spring! Details on Commencement events are listed below.

Commencement Events

Associate Nursing Pinning | Wednesday, May 10, 2023 | 4 p.m.

St. Joseph the Worker Church, 777 West Hollis St., Nashua, NH 03062

• Graduates must arrive by 3:15 p.m.
• RSVP will be required, and there is a limit of 4 guests per graduate. Students can RSVP by April 14 here: https://cglink.me/2ht/r2050288.

• Please wear your gown and carry your hood with your pin attached (cap is not required) when you arrive at the church hall.
• Please check in at the registration table to pick up your name card.
• The approximate length of the ceremony is 1 hour.

This ceremony can be viewed live on the day of each event at www.stjoenash.org.
Please note: The Church website broadcasts other events as well, and this page is not dedicated only to our event. 

Master’s Hooding Ceremony (including Ed.S. and Post-Master’s Certificates) | Thursday, May 11, 2023 | 4 p.m.

St. Joseph the Worker Church, 777 West Hollis St., Nashua, NH 03062

• Master’s/Ed.S./Post-Master’s students must arrive by 3:15 p.m.
• RSVP will be required. Due to the size of the graduating class, guests will be limited. Students can RSVP by April 14 here: https://cglink.me/2ht/r2044736

• Please wear your gown and carry your hood (cap is not required) when you arrive at the church hall.
• Please check in at the registration table to pick up your name card.
• The approximate length of the ceremony is 1 ½ hours.

This ceremony can be viewed live on the day of each event at www.stjoenash.org.
Please note: The Church website broadcasts other events as well, and this page is not dedicated only to our event. 

Baccalaureate Celebration: Baccalaureate Mass, Honors Recognition, Hooding, and Bachelor’s Nursing Pinning | Friday, May 12, 2023 | 4 p.m.

St. Joseph the Worker Church, 777 West Hollis St., Nashua, NH 03062

• Graduates must arrive by 3:15 p.m.
• RSVP will be required. Due to the size of the graduating class, guests will be limited. Students can RSVP by April 14 here: https://cglink.me/2ht/r2050295

• Please wear your gown and carry your hood (cap is not required) when you arrive at the church hall.  (Nurses should have your pin attached to the hood)
• Please check in at the registration table to pick up your name card.
• The approximate length of the ceremony is 1 ½ – 2 hours.

This ceremony can be viewed live on the day of each event at www.stjoenash.org.
Please note: The Church website broadcasts other events as well, and this page is not dedicated only to our event. 

Commencement | Sunday, May 14, 2023 | 10 a.m. |

Tsongas Center, 300 Arcand Drive, Lowell, MA 01852

• Graduates must arrive by 8:30 a.m.
• RSVP for Commencement is part of the ceremony RSVP. Guests are unlimited.

• You may bring as many guests as you like to Commencement. Please arrive at the Tsongas Center (east entrance) wearing your full academic regalia (cap, gown, hood, tassel, and applicable cords) before 8:30 a.m. Guests should enter through the Main Entrance; Doors open for guests at 9 a.m.
• The approximate length of the ceremony is 2 1/2 hours.

Cap and Gown Pick-up

Students can pick up their cap and gown by visiting Rivier Bookstore during normal business hours at the following on-campus career fairs:

• March 22 | Nursing and Health Sciences programs
• March 28 | Business and Arts and Sciences programs
• April 10 | Education programs

Additionally, all graduating students can pick up regalia from the Rivier Bookstore during normal business hours beginning on Tuesday, April 11. If you did not pre-order your cap and gown, you can still pick up your regalia. Any student that is unable to pick up their regalia in person can call the Rivier Bookstore at (603) 888-4145 to arrange for shipment.

All Doctoral students must reach out to their appropriate Program Director to obtain an order form for regalia.

Preparing for Graduation

Your first step toward graduation is completing your formal notification of intent to graduate. Each degree-seeking student must submit the Application for Graduation electronically or through a paper form available in the Office of the Registrar.

Students who complete degree requirements after the summer or fall semesters are encouraged to participate in the Commencement ceremony in May. You are advised to check with your Department Chairperson or Academic Advisor to be certain that all requirements for graduation have been met.

A mandatory graduation fee of $175 is charged to all students’ accounts upon acceptance of the Application to Graduate. Student account balances must be paid in full before diplomas or our new e-Diplomas are issued. Graduation fees can be paid through MyRiv.

After you submit your online Application for Graduation, you will see a confirmation page with additional information. You will receive additional information via your student email once it becomes available. Please check your Rivier University email regularly for any updates.

You are welcome to contact us if you have additional questions.