SOUTH PORTLAND — Southern Maine Community College will celebrate the Class of 2026 during its annual commencement ceremony on Sunday, May 17 at the Cross Insurance Arena in Portland.
The ceremony is scheduled for 2–4:30 p.m. and will honor graduates who have completed degrees and certificates across the College’s academic programs.
Award-winning Maine author Monica Wood will deliver the keynote address.
“Monica Wood is one of Maine’s most celebrated writers, and we are honored to welcome her to speak to our graduates,” said SMCC President Kristen Miller. “Commencement marks a defining moment for our students — a celebration of their hard work, perseverance, and the many possibilities that lie ahead. Monica’s storytelling and connection to Maine make her an inspiring voice to help send our graduates into their next chapter.”
Wood is a novelist, memoirist and playwright whose work has earned numerous literary honors. Following its release as one of the most acclaimed books of 2025, her bestselling novel “How to Read a Book” was named to the Texas Library Association’s “Lariat List” of the 25 best books of 2025 and received the New England Society in the City of New York Book Award for fiction. In addition, Wood was the recipient of the Sarah Josepha Hale Award for excellence in the arts in New England.
She is also the author of the internationally acclaimed novel “The One-in-a-Million Boy” and the memoir “When We Were the Kennedys”, a New England bestseller and winner of the May Sarton Memoir Award. Her essays and reviews have appeared in publications including The New York Times, Oprah, Literary Hub and Down East.
In addition to her books, Wood is an accomplished playwright. Her plays “Papermaker”, “The Half-Light” and “Saint Dad” debuted at Portland Stage in sold-out productions before being staged elsewhere in the country. Wood grew up in Mexico, Maine, and now lives in Portland with her husband Dan Abbott, a longtime SMCC professor and program chair.
SMCC’s commencement ceremony is free and open to the public. Tickets are not required, and there is no limit on the number of guests who may attend. Doors will open at noon at the Cross Insurance Arena, located at 45 Spring St. in Portland.
More information about commencement, including details for graduates and guests, is available at https://www.smccme.edu/commencement/.
