Lawrence, MA (June 24, 2026)— The atrium of Northern Essex Community College’s Dimitry Building was standing-room only as the Center for Adult Education (CAE) celebrated its Class of 2026.
The ceremony drew a full house of proud families, friends, faculty, and staff, with memorable moments of support, including a single graduate who arrived with more than 20 family members in tow, filling an entire section of seating to cheer them across the stage. It was a fitting symbol of the night’s larger theme: that education is rarely a solo journey, and every diploma represents an entire support system behind it.
This year’s graduating class represented students from 31 countries speaking 13 different languages, reflecting the full diversity of CAE, which serves residents of Lawrence, Haverhill, Methuen, and the greater Merrimack Valley. Graduates came from every walk of life, some learning English for the first time, some earning their high school equivalency credential, others building workforce skills, or completing their very first college courses.
The Class of 2026 celebrated milestones across every corner of the program, including:
- 9 ESOL completers
- 18 Transition to College Course completers
- 34 workforce program completers
- 82 HiSET subtest passers
- 33 High School Equivalency (HSE) credential graduates
- 31 inductees into the National Adult Education Honor Society
- 6 students with perfect attendance
For the first time, the celebration also recognized students from NECC’s programs at five Essex County Sheriff’s Department locations, marking a new milestone in the ongoing partnership with the college. These graduates, many of whom are transitioning from incarceration back into their communities, were recognized alongside their CAE/Lawrence peers, a powerful reminder that education continues to open doors no matter where a student’s journey begins.
Class valedictorian James Dale Smith captured the spirit of the evening in his remarks, telling fellow graduates: “Life can knock you down, family can lift you up, and determination can carry you forward.”
NECC President Lane Glenn reflected on the significance of the night as well, noting that graduates overcame challenges with courage, drive, and the support of family, friends, and NECC staff and faculty, and that all of them are investing in themselves, their families, and their futures.
With cheers, applause, and more than a few tears, the CAE Class of 2026 crossed the stage together — a full house honoring a full range of journeys, all built on the same foundation: courage, determination, and the belief that it’s never too late to invest in your future.
Learn more about the Center for Adult Education at NECC here.
