New England College Alumni

09/05/2026

FALL FESTIVAL IS ONLY 3 WEEKS AWAY!

The countdown is ON! If you haven’t booked your accommodations yet, now is the time.

Henniker hotels are fully booked, but don’t worry- there are still options! We recommend checking Airbnb and VRBO for nearby stays. You can also take advantage of our room block at the Hampton Inn Concord/Bow, conveniently located right off Route 89 and just a 20-minute drive to campus.

And don’t forget to REGISTER FOR FALL FESTIVAL IN ADVANCE!
Registration is just $10 per person and includes your Fall Festival T-shirt + football game ticket. Register ahead of time and avoid the higher day-of registration price!

💙 We can’t wait to welcome you back to campus for an unforgettable Fall Festival! See you in 3 WEEKS! 🎉Register here: https://alumni.nec.edu/e/fall-festival-2026

09/02/2026

There are a few foursome spots left in our NEC Golf Classic - Friday, September 25!
Register today here: https://alumni.nec.edu/e/38th-annual-nec-golf/
See you on the course!

08/31/2026

Mya has a special message for you: Fall Festival is just ONE month away! 🎉
Join us in Henniker for a weekend full of fun, friends, and plenty of NEC spirit!
Register today to get your exclusive Fall Festival T-shirt! Pre-registering also saves you from the higher day-of registration fee.
Fall Festival | September 25–27, 2026

Don’t miss out- register today and get ready to celebrate!
https://alumni.nec.edu/e/fall-festival-2026

08/26/2026

Mark your calendars, NEC! 🍂

Fall Festival is NEC’s annual Alumni and Family Weekend and is happening September 25–27, 2026!

It’s one of our favorite weekends of the year, bringing alumni, families, friends, students, and the entire NEC community together to reconnect, celebrate, and make new memories. 🎉

Come enjoy:

🏈 Homecoming football
🍁 Family-friendly fun
🎓 Alumni connections
💙 And much more!

Save the date, learn more, and register at https://www.nec.edu/event/fall-festival-alumni-and-family-weekend-2026

News and EventsEventsFall Festival | Alumni and Family Weekend 2026 event Fall Festival | Alumni and Family Weekend 2026 Alumni Athletics Celebrations Community New Students Share September 25–27, 2026 Fall Festival is NEC’s annual Alumni and Family Weekend that brings alumni, families, and frie...

08/26/2026

Happy National Dog Day! 🐾
We thought we should brighten up today by sharing the pups of the Advancement Office.
We would love to see the paw-sitively adorable dogs of the NEC community in the comments below!

08/25/2026

We’re excited to announce Professor Eric J. Simon as the recipient of the 2026 Honorary Alumni Award!

The NEC Alumni Council is proud to recognize Dr. Eric Simon with the 2026 Honorary Alumni Award in recognition of more than two decades of extraordinary service, dedication, and commitment to New England College.

For 23 years, Dr. Simon has inspired generations of Pilgrims through his teaching, mentorship, scholarship, and passion for experiential learning. From the classroom to international travel courses, he has helped students build confidence, develop scientific skills, and discover opportunities in science and healthcare.

His impact reaches far beyond Henniker. Dr. Simon is the author and co-author of widely used biology textbooks- including Biology: The Core, Campbell Essential Biology, and Campbell Biology: Concepts and Connections. His textbooks have sold more than two million copies and are used by students in 40+ countries.

✈️ At NEC, he has also created unforgettable learning experiences for students around the world, leading courses to destinations including Belize, the Galápagos Islands, Tanzania, Cuba, Machu Picchu, Patagonia, and the Amazon.

Through his dedication to students, alumni engagement, international education, and the NEC community, Dr. Simon has left an incredible and lasting legacy.

Join us in celebrating Dr. Simon at the Alumni Awards Ceremony during Fall Festival!

📅 Friday, September 25
⏰ 6:00 PM
📍 NEC Campus
🏌️ Following the NEC Golf Classic

Don’t miss this special evening of recognition, celebration, and Pilgrim pride! 💙

Register now for Fall Festival:
https://alumni.nec.edu/e/fall-festival-2026

08/24/2026

Happy 1st Day of Classes!

08/21/2026

🎉 The wait is over- here’s the winning design for this year’s Fall Festival T-Shirt Contest!

We’re excited to announce that this year’s winning design was created by Denise Ivas, Coordinator of Campus Visits! We absolutely love how Denise incorporated NEC’s 80th anniversary into her design, making this year’s shirt an extra-special way to celebrate this milestone!

Thank you to everyone who submitted a design and helped make this year’s contest so much fun.

With just 35 days until Fall Festival, now is the perfect time to register and make sure you get your exclusive Fall Festival T-shirt! Pre-registering also helps you avoid the higher day-of registration fee.

📅 Fall Festival | September 25–27, 2026

Don’t miss out on the fun, the festivities, and this year’s winning T-shirt! Register today: https://alumni.nec.edu/e/fall-festival-2026

08/20/2026

Welcome, Class of 2030! (Can you believe it, 20𝟯𝟬?!)
We're so excited to welcome a new class of 'Grims! 😊
Now on to Convocation this afternoon at 4pm. Watch the livestream here at 4pm: https://team1sports.com/athleticsnec/

08/18/2026

🌟 We’re excited to announce Ian McSweeney ’98 as the recipient of the 2026 Deborah Spring Reed Outstanding Alumni Achievement Award! 🌟

Ian is the co-founder of The Farmers Land Trust, a nationally recognized nonprofit land trust working with communities across the country to transform how farmland is owned and how tenure and equity are conveyed to the next generation of farmers practicing regenerative agriculture.

Throughout his career, Ian has combined professional expertise with a deep commitment to service. He has worked in real estate, served as the director of a private foundation, and volunteered on numerous nonprofit boards. His work has included collaborating with more than 100 land trusts and nearly as many communities, assisting more than 100 farms, protecting over 12,000 acres, and raising more than $26 million to benefit farmland, farmers, and communities.

Ian’s work addresses one of agriculture’s most pressing challenges: ensuring farmers have equitable, long-term access to land while protecting working landscapes for future generations. His leadership has helped advance innovative, community-centered models of farmland ownership and established him as a respected voice in sustainable agriculture, farmland ownership, equity, and stewardship.

His accomplishments have earned him recognition as a “40 Under 40” leader in New Hampshire, a Food Solutions New England Leadership Institute Fellow, and an Ashoka Fellow.

Through his professional achievements, leadership, and commitment to creating positive and lasting change, Ian exemplifies the spirit of the Deborah Spring Reed Outstanding Alumni Achievement Award.

Congratulations, Ian! 🎉We’re proud to celebrate your incredible accomplishments and the impact you continue to make!

Join us in honoring Ian at the Alumni Awards Ceremony during Fall Festival:

📅 Friday, September 25
⏰ 6:00 PM
📍 NEC Campus
🏌️ Following the Golf Tournament

Don’t miss this special evening of recognition, celebration, and Pilgrim pride! 💙

**Register now for Fall Festival:** https://alumni.nec.edu/e/fall-festival-2026