NEMCC announces 2026 commencement, pinning ceremonies
Northeast will hold five commencement exercises in the span of five days
BOONEVILLE, Miss. -- (05/12/2026) — Northeast Mississippi Community College will celebrate its 2026 graduates with five commencement ceremonies and multiple program pinning events in early May, with most activities taking place in the Bonner Arnold Coliseum.
Ceremonies began Wednesday, May 7, with a multi-program pinning at 1 p.m. in Hargett Hall Auditorium, honoring students from Medical Assisting Technology, Radiologic Technology, Respiratory Therapy Technology and Medical Lab Technology.
Northeast's multi-program event marked the start of a 10-day stretch dedicated to recognizing student achievement across the Booneville campus.
Associate Degree Nursing (ADN) will hold its lamp lighting and pledge ceremony at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, May 13, in the Bonner Arnold Coliseum, beginning a busy 72-hour period for the college.
Commencement exercises open Thursday, May 14, with two university transfer ceremonies in the coliseum.
Students with last names A-L will graduate at 2 p.m., followed by M-Z at 6 p.m.
Career and technical graduates will be recognized at 2 p.m. on Friday, May 15, and Health Sciences graduates will close the week at 6 p.m. that evening.
Celebrations continue Monday, May 18, as more than 150 Adult Education students who completed HiSET requirements will be honored at 6 p.m. in the Bonner Arnold Coliseum.
For those looking for the Practical Nursing Education completion ceremony, it will be held in July at the end of the summer term.
Each ceremony will begin with the processional set to Elgar's timeless Pomp and Circumstance.
Attendees are encouraged to arrive early to ensure seating, as processionals will begin 15 to 20 minutes prior to each ceremony and the ceremony will start as soon as the graduates are seated.
Students will play active roles in each program, including performances of the national anthem, moments of reflection and remarks on their Northeast experience.
Northeast Board of Trustees Chairman Vance Witt of New Albany or vice chairman Christy Holly of Iuka will offer welcome remarks at each ceremony.
President Dr. Ricky G. Ford will address graduates, and Vice President of Instruction Dr. Michelle Baragona will present candidates before degrees are conferred.
All commencement ceremonies will be streamed live at NEMCCTV.com from the Bonner Arnold Coliseum.
A commemorative 32-page program will be available at issuu.com/nemcctigers.
--NEMCC-
COMMENCEMENT CEREMONY SCHEDULE
Thursday, May 14
2 p.m. - Associate of Arts (Last Names A-L)
National Anthem: Flannery Wester of New Albany, Campus Country Member
Moment of Silence/Prayer: Dylan Roberts of Falkner, an Associate of Arts graduate (General Studies)
Student Response: Anna Slack of New Site, Iota Zeta chapter of Phi Theta Kappa honor society president
Candidate Presentation: Ben Shappley, Vice President of Community Outreach/Economic Development/Satellite Campuses
6 p.m. - Associate of Arts (Last Names M-Z)
National Anthem: Flannery Wester of New Albany, Campus Country Member
Moment of Silence/Prayer: Payden Taylor of Booneville, an Associate of Arts graduate (General Studies)
Student Response: Elena Renfrow of Kossuth, SGA President
Candidate Presentation: Dr. Justin Treloar, Division Head of Languages and Humanities
Friday, May 15
2 p.m. - Career Technical Education (CTE) Graduates
National Anthem: Emmaline Bennett of Ashland, Campus Country member
Moment of Silence/Prayer: Dawson Holt of Corinth, an Associate of Applied Science graduate (Drafting, Design & 3D Marketing)
Student Response: Tanner Palmer of Baldwyn, an Associate of Applied Science graduate (Information Systems Technology - Cyber Defense)
Candidate Presentation: Jason Mattox, Vice President of Career Technical Education/Director of Workforce Training
6 p.m. - Health Sciences Graduates
National Anthem: Emmaline Bennett of Ashland, Campus Country member
Moment of Silence/Prayer: Emilee Grisham of Iuka, an Associate of Applied Science graduate (Dental Hygiene)
Student Response: Natalie Vanderford of Walnut, an Associate of Applied Science graduate (Nursing-ADN)
Candidate Presentation: Robbie Coleman Jones, Associate Vice President of Academic Programs/Division of Head of Social, Behavioral & Applied Sciences
ADDITIONAL CEREMONIES
Thursday, May 7 at 1 p.m. - Health Science Pinning Ceremony
Wednesday, May 13 at 2 p.m. - Associate Degree Nursing (ADN) Pinning Ceremony
Monday, May 18 at 6 p.m. - Adult Education (AE) Completion Ceremony
Media Attachments
A Northeast Mississippi Community College graduate adjusts his mortar board using the mirror in the back of a curio cabinet in Patterson Hall prior to commencement ceremonies in May 2025. Northeast will hold five commencement ceremonies over five days beginning Thursday, May 14. University transfer students with last names A-L will graduate at 2 p.m. followed by M-Z at 6 p.m. on May 14. Career and technical education graduates will participate at 2 p.m. on Friday, May 15, while health science graduates will walk at 6 p.m. that evening in Bonner Arnold Coliseum. Northeast Adult Education graduates who completed HiSET requirements will receive diplomas at 6 p.m. on Monday, May 18, in Bonner Arnold Coliseum. All ceremonies will stream live on NEMCCTV.com and will be archived on Northeast's YouTube channel.
Northeast Mississippi Community College graduates head toward their next chapter in life after commencement ceremonies at the Booneville-based college in May 2025. Northeast will hold five commencement ceremonies over five days beginning Thursday, May 14. University transfer students with last names A-L will graduate at 2 p.m. followed by M-Z at 6 p.m. on May 14. Career and technical education graduates will participate at 2 p.m. on Friday, May 15, while health science graduates will walk at 6 p.m. that evening in Bonner Arnold Coliseum. Northeast Adult Education graduates who completed HiSET requirements will receive diplomas at 6 p.m. on Monday, May 18, in Bonner Arnold Coliseum. All ceremonies will stream live on NEMCCTV.com and will be archived on Northeast's YouTube channel.
- Booneville, MS
- Corinth, MS
- Corinth, MS
- Booneville, MS
- Baldwyn, MS
- Iuka, MS
- Falkner, MS
- Walnut, MS
- Corinth, MS
- Corinth, MS
- Booneville, MS
- Booneville, MS
- Ashland, MS