Date, Time, and Location:

  • Saturday, May 13, 2023, at 2:00 p.m. in Hilton Coliseum
  • Doors will open for guests at 12:00 p.m.
  • It is anticipated that the ceremony will last around two and a half hours.

Handshaking:

Parking:

  • Due to the construction of CyTown, certain parking lots located between Hilton Coliseum and Jack Trice Stadium will be blocked off the day of commencement. Additional parking has been identified around Jack Trice Stadium and Maple Willow Larch (see parking maps).
  • We are asking students and their guests to arrive early enough to find parking and walk to the check-in location (for graduating students) or guest seating in Hilton Coliseum. We encourage carpooling if possible.
  • Handicap parking is available in lot C2.
  • If you or your guests park in the Maple Willow Larch parking lot, please cross at the light and follow all traffic laws.

Tickets and Guests:

  • Tickets are not required.
  • Guest seating is unlimited – please invite everyone who wishes to celebrate your significant achievement!

Check-in/Line-up:

  • You may begin arriving for check-in at 12:30 p.m., but plan to arrive by no later than 1:30pm.
  • Your primary college will determine your assigned check-in location:
    • College of Engineering
      • Scheman Building
        • Last Name A-K, 100-Level (Middle Floor)
        • Last Name L-Z, 200-Level (Top Floor)
    • College of Design
      • Hilton Coliseum, Northeast Corner, Top-Level

Academic Attire (e.g., Caps, Tassels, and Gowns):

  • Graduates are required to wear a bachelor's gown, a black four-sided cap, and the appropriate color tassel. Attire can be purchased through the Iowa State University Bookstore, located in the Memorial Union, and through their website:  https://www.isubookstore.com/graduation/bachelor
  • Graduates who are members of the military are welcome to wear their uniforms.
  • Graduates who need to wear specific attire for religious or cultural purposes (e.g., hijab, etc.) are welcome to do so.
  • Leave purses, coats, and other valuables with family or friends since there will be no secure place to leave them during the ceremony.

Accommodations:

  • Graduates needing special assistance (e.g., wheelchair seating, sign language interpreter, captioning services, service animals, etc.) prior to, or during, the ceremony should contact Amber Tiarks, atiarks@iastate.edu, by May 9th.
  • Special accommodation seating will be available on a first come, first served basis.
  • Handicap parking is available in lot C2.
  • Guests needing a handicap accessible entrance and/or elevator should utilize Hilton Coliseum’s west entrance, located under the catwalk between Scheman and Hilton.
  • A sign language interpreter will be available.

Ceremony Process:

  • After check-in, graduates will proceed to the line-up area.
  • Please complete the photography portion of the card you were given at check-in prior to the start of the ceremony. 
  • During the ceremony, graduates will be led to the photography area and then led across the stage by a Faculty Marshal. Photographers will use a flash when taking photos. 
  • Handshakes with the President or Provost are optional. Please approach the stage with hands folded if you do not wish to be offered a handshake.
  • After crossing the stage, graduates will be led back to their original seats. 

Diploma Cover:

  • The President and/or Provost will hand you a diploma cover on stage during the ceremony.