Information for Presenting Professors

Spring 2024 Doctoral Commencement Ceremony

Date, Time, and Location: 

  • Thursday, May 9th, 2024 at 7:00 p.m

Academic Attire:

  • Presenting professors are required to wear academic attire. The University Bookstore handles the university's academic attire needs. For renting or purchasing academic attire, faculty may visit: https://www.isubookstore.com/grad-attire 
  • Faculty are encouraged to arrange for academic attire as soon as possible. Faculty may also borrow attire from a colleague.

Processional:

  • Presenting professors will be led by Faculty Marshals from the line-up area, process into Hilton Coliseum, and will be seated with their candidate(s) on the floor of the coliseum.

Presenting your candidate during the Graduate College Ceremony:

1.  During the awarding of the degrees, a marshal will prompt you when to proceed to the front of the stage.

2.  When your candidate’s name is read, escort him/her/zir to the President or Provost who will be standing center stage. 

3.  Your candidate will turn to face the audience and bend slightly at the knees enabling you to put the hood over his/her/zir head and onto his/her/zir shoulders.

4.  Turn back towards the President or Provost. The student will shake hands with President or Provost. 

5.  The student will take a candid photo with the President or Provost.

6.  Next, you may acknowledge your student and extend congratulations. 

7.  And finally, the President or Provost will acknowledge you and extend congratulations to you. 

8.  Your candidate, and you, will exit the stage via the front center stairs.

9.  At the time your candidate exits the stage to return to his/her/zir seat, you should return to your original seat using the center aisle.

Recessional:

  • Presenting professors and candidates will not recess, but will remain on the floor.
  • After the recessional, you are free to take additional phots, meet and greet familieis, or leave, as desired. 

Questions or Changes to Presenting Professor

Contact the Graduation Office at phdprof@iastate.edu or at 515-294-1840 with any questions or concerns.