Commencement

Dean Carpenter addressing the graduating students

UNH Franklin Pierce's 49th Commencement Ceremony

Saturday, May 18, 2024

Commencement Begins at 3:30pm

Concord, New Hampshire

 

If you have questions or need information, please contact Student.Life@law.unh.edu

FRIDAY, MAY 17

Morning
10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Open House
UNH Franklin Pierce School of Law

Drop by on Friday morning with your family and friends for coffee and breakfast pastries and visit with your favorite faculty and staff members!

Evening
5:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.
         

Class of 2024 Champagne Toast and Graduating Student Awards Ceremony
Grappone Conference Center, Concord, NH

Graduates can register to attend this event by March 15, 2024.

SATURDAY, MAY 18

3:30 p.m.         

Class of 2024 Commencement Ceremony
White Park
Concord, NH

Students must order or purchase regalia to participate in the commencement ceremony. Order rental regalia by Friday, March 16, 2024. There is no cost to rent regalia. To purchase regalia, email:  Student.Life@law.unh.edu.

A brief exit conversation with a Career Services Counselor will be required of all students who plan to participate in graduation. You will not be able to pick up regalia until after you have completed your exit meeting. A schedule of 15-minute appointments (via Zoom or in-person) will be made available beginning a month prior to graduation. More details will follow.

JD, LL.M., and Master’s degree Candidates

You will receive your diploma during the ceremony provided you have completed your Financial Aid exit counseling and cleared any financial and/or academic obligations. If you are not planning to attend the commencement exercises, you must complete the Financial Aid exit counseling (see Financial Aid with questions) and make arrangements with the Registrar's Office to pick up your diploma or have it sent to you by certified mail, which requires a signature upon delivery.

JD/LLM Degree Candidates

JD/LLM degree candidates who have completed all degree requirements by graduation day will received both diplomas at the commencement ceremony.

Mailing address

Diplomas not picked up during the Commencement Ceremony will be mailed to you shortly after graduation. Please provide the Registrar’s Office with a mailing address where someone will be available to sign for the package. Any second mailings are at the students' expense.

Students will not be able to participate in the Commencement Ceremony remotely but can access the live stream the day-of commencement. You can find information about the live streamhere the day of commencement. It will also be available for family and friends who are unable to attend the ceremony in-person. Commencement will be recorded and available on the commencement website a few days after the ceremony. 

When should guests arrive?

Guests should plan to arrive no earlier than 2:00 p.m. to begin being seated in the tent. Guests will not be permitted in the tent before this time.  The ceremony will begin promptly at 3:30 p.m.

What happens if it rains? 

This event is rain or shine and held under a large tent in Concord’s White Park (immediately next to the law school). Please dress appropriately for the weather. 

How many guests can attend? 

Each student is issued 5 guest tickets.

What is the bathroom situation for guests?  

Restrooms will be available outside at White Park and in UNH Franklin Pierce School of Law. UNH Law will be open from 1:00 p.m.- 6:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 19. 

Where can guests find hotel information?

You can find information about visiting campus and a list of several area hotels who offer rooms at a discounted rate for guests who mention UNH Franklin Pierce Law when they make their reservations. Accommodations

 

Parking will be available at White Park for the day. Additionally, students and guests are welcome to park in the two UNH Franklin Pierce School of Law parking lots on Washington St. and Rumford St.
Campus Map

Handicapped parking spaces are available in front of the Rines Building and behind the Buck Building. In addition, there will be designated handicapped spots along the fence by the White Park entrance at the corner of White and Washington Streets. 

We will have a golf cart shuttle from the parking lot at White Park to the tent. We recommend that guests with mobility needs consider getting dropped off at the parking lot at White Park to utilize the shuttle.  

Several area hotels offer rooms at a discounted rate for guests who mention UNH Franklin Pierce Law when they make their reservations.
 Accommodations

A professional photographer will be documenting the commencement ceremony. They will be taking photos of the class, of graduates receiving diplomas, as well as numerous candid photos. These will be made available to students via email during the summer. 

Guests should understand that the commencement ceremony takes place at a park and the surface includes both grass and gravel that attendees will need to travel over to arrive to the tent. Our ceremony has accommodated both students and guests that used wheelchairs or other mobility devices without problems in the past but please contact student.life@law.unh.edu with any questions or concerns. 

If a guest is using a wheelchair, mobility device or has another accessibility request in order to attend commencement, please contact us at student.life@law.unh.edu by May 1. We will be in touch after that time to request additional information.  

The Franklin Pierce Law Commencement will follow the CDC and UNH COVID guidelines in May 2024. As of Fall 2023, there are no additional COVID protocols for students or guests.   

We will be selling Franklin Pierce Law merchandise on Saturday, May 19 from 1:00 p.m.- 3:00 p.m. in the main building at 2 White St.  

Students must complete their Federal Student Loan exit counseling(s) by May 1, 2024.

learn about the process 

Students who do not complete the required exit counseling by this date will not receive their diploma during the Commencement Ceremony. Questions? Please contact Jen Pereira in the Financial Aid Office. 

  • Students who complete their degree requirements in Spring may participate in the Spring Commencement ceremony during the current year.  
    • For example, students who complete their degree requirements in spring 2024, can participate in the May 2024 ceremony. 
  • Students who complete their degree requirements in Summer may participate in the Spring Commencement ceremony during the current year or the ceremony immediately following their degree completion.  
    • For example, students who complete their degree requirements in summer 2024, can participate in the May 2024 ceremony or May 2025 ceremony. 
  • Students who complete their degree requirements in Fall may participate in the Spring Commencement ceremony in the following year. 
    • For example, students who complete their degree requirements in fall 2023, can participate in the May 2024 ceremony. 
  • UNH Dual Degree (for example, JD/MBA) students may participate in the Spring Commencement ceremony during the current year or the ceremony immediately following their degree completion.  
    • For example, students who complete their degree requirements in fall 2023, can participate in the May 2023 ceremony or May 2024 ceremony.