BROCKTON, Mass (April 23, 2026) – Massasoit Community College will host its 59th Commencement Ceremony on its Brockton Campus on Thursday, May 21, 2026. David Offutt, a long-time business and community leader in Greater Brockton, will deliver the Commencement Address.
The Class of 2026 includes graduates from dozens of cities and towns across Massachusetts, from other New England states, and abroad. They are earning associate degrees and certificates in a range of career- or transfer-oriented academic programs. Included among the graduates are more than 100 Early College Access students who will earn their high school diplomas and associate degrees in tandem this summer.
“We are looking forward to an incredible day celebrating the achievements of the Class of 2026 with their friends, family, and supporters,” said Massasoit President Bill Mitchell. “Walking across the stage will be a milestone they never forget.”
Commencement speaker David Offutt was appointed by Governor Maura Healey to the Massasoit Community College Board of Trustees in November of 2025, having previously served on the Board from 2015 through 2017. Offutt has decades of experience in real estate and investing and is currently the Principal Owner at Haliday Realty Inc/HomeVestors of America in Brockton. Outside of his professional career, Offutt is active in the Greater Brockton community. He is the Chair of the Board of Directors for Old Colony YMCA, is a Trustee for Signature Healthcare Brockton Hospital, and a Corporator for North Easton Savings Bank.
“Our graduates, their guests, and the entire Massasoit community will benefit greatly from hearing David’s story and advice,” said Mitchell. “David’s deep connections in our community, coupled with his business experience, make him a great fit to inspire members of the Class of 2026 as they plan their futures.”
This year’s graduating class is the first to include students who have participated fully in MassEducate, which along with MassReconnect, makes a community college education free to eligible students in Massachusetts.
The nearly $5 million in “Free College” funds awarded annually, together with other grants and scholarships, has significantly decreased the number of Massasoit students needing loans. In 2024-2025, only 1.61% of Massasoit students took out loans to finance their education.
In addition to Offutt, students will hear remarks from College leadership and a 2026 graduate who will speak on their classmates’ behalf. This year’s faculty speaker is Professor Alexander Cotter, Chair of the Mathematics Department and a 2004 graduate of Massasoit.
Founded in 1966, Massasoit Community College offers students from southeastern Massachusetts and beyond access to more than 60 associate degree and certificate programs across arts, sciences, applied sciences, healthcare, and technology at locations in Brockton, Canton, Middleborough, and online. More than 8,000 students enroll for credit at Massasoit each year; another 1,500 students annually enroll in non-credit community education or workforce development courses. More than 600 students graduate from Massasoit with an associate degree or certificate each year. Massasoit students are given access to wraparound services provided on campus to support their success inside and outside the classroom. For more information, visit massasoit.edu.
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Alex Villanueva
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Massasoit Community College
avillanu2@massasoit.mass.edu
774-274-0423