More than 4,300 University of Iowa students will receive their degrees at spring 2018 commencement ceremonies, which begin Thursday, May 10, with the College of Pharmacy and end on Friday, May 25, with the College of Dentistry. All other ceremonies will take place May 11–13.

Get to know our spring graduates

Go inside the numbers and experience nine graduates' inspirational stories.
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Everyone is encouraged to use the hashtag #UIGrad18 to join the celebration on social media.

Two ceremonies will be held for College of Liberal Arts and Sciences undergraduates, accommodating more family members and guests. All commencement ceremonies will be streamed live on the web via the Iowa Now website.

Dates, times, locations, and additional information for each ceremony are listed below, including live-streaming video details. More commencement information can be found on the Office of the Registrar website.

Thursday, May 10

College of Pharmacy
10 a.m., Hancher Auditorium

William Wimmer, JD, founding shareholder of Wasker, Dorr, Wimmer & Marcouiller, P.C., and longtime lobbyist for the Iowa Pharmacy Association, will provide the commencement address. Graduate Chelsea Meade, class president, will be the student speaker. UI President J. Bruce Harreld will confer degrees. Graduates should arrive no later than 9:15 a.m.

Live video stream: https://now.uiowa.edu/2018/05/video-college-pharmacy-spring-2018-commencement-ceremony

College of Education Undergraduate Commencement and Recognition of Teacher Education Program Completion
4 p.m., Hancher Auditorium

Elementary education students receiving their Bachelor of Arts degrees from the UI College of Education will be recognized. Secondary education students will be recognized by their program faculty for completing the Teacher Education Program and being recommended to the state for licensure. Robert van Deusen, an instructional-track lecturer in elementary education in the Department of Teaching and Learning, will be the faculty speaker. Christina Crowley, of Carlisle, Iowa, who is graduating with a Master of Arts in teaching in English education, will be the student speaker. Al Ruffalo will give the keynote address. Ruffalo is the founder and executive chairman of Ruffalo Noel Levitz, an alumnus in educational leadership, and a member of the UI College of Education Advisory Board. Doors will open at 3 p.m. for general admission seating.

Live video stream: https://now.uiowa.edu/2018/05/video-college-education-spring-2018-commencement-ceremony

Friday, May 11

College of Law
1 p.m., Hancher Auditorium

Participating university officials include UI President J. Bruce Harreld and Regent Larry McKibben. The Honorable Judge Susan R. Bolton, United States District Court judge, will be the guest speaker. Graduates dressed in their caps and gowns should arrive at Hancher Auditorium no later than noon for a class photo.

Live video stream: https://now.uiowa.edu/2018/05/video-college-law-spring-2018-commencement-ceremony

Carver College of Medicine

Doctor of Medicine and Master’s in Medical Education degrees
6:30 p.m., Hancher Auditorium

Tickets required
Presiding university officials will be J. Brooks Jackson, vice president for medical affairs and dean of the Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine; Christopher S. Cooper, senior associate dean for medical education; and Larry McKibben, member of the Board of Regents, State of Iowa. Guest speaker will be Pamela Trapane, clinical professor of pediatrics–medical genetics. Graduate Aaron Lacy will lead the class in reciting the Oath of Hippocrates. Graduates should arrive no later than 6 p.m.

Live video stream: https://now.uiowa.edu/2018/05/video-carver-college-medicine-spring-2018-commencement-ceremony-doctorate-master

Graduate College

Doctoral Degree Candidates
9 a.m., Hancher Auditorium

Tickets required 
Participating university officials include President J. Bruce Harreld and John C. Keller, interim vice president for Research and Economic Development, associate provost for graduate and professional education, and dean of the Graduate College.

Live video stream: https://now.uiowa.edu/2018/05/video-graduate-college-spring-2018-commencement-ceremony-doctoral-degrees

Master’s Degree Candidates
7 p.m., Carver-Hawkeye Arena

Participating university officials include Susan J. Curry, interim executive vice president and provost, and John C. Keller, interim vice president for research and economic development, associate provost for graduate and professional education, and dean of the Graduate College.

Live video stream: https://now.uiowa.edu/2018/05/video-graduate-college-spring-2018-commencement-ceremony-masters-degrees

Saturday, May 12

College of Nursing
9 a.m., Hancher Auditorium

Dean Julie Zerwic will confer degrees. Guest speaker will be Leslie Williams. Graduate Cheyenne Kimbell will be the Pre-Licensure BSN class speaker, and Misty Patterson will be the RN-BSN class speaker. Graduates should arrive no later than 8:15 a.m.

Live video stream: https://now.uiowa.edu/2018/05/video-college-nursing-spring-2018-commencement-ceremony

Honorary degree

Michèle Crider, one of the world’s preeminent sopranos, will receive an Honorary Doctor of Musical Arts from the University of Iowa during the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences commencement ceremony.
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College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
9 a.m., Carver-Hawkeye Arena 

Ceremony for graduates majoring in actuarial science; applied physics; astronomy; Bachelor of Applied Studies; Bachelor of Liberal Studies; criminology, law, and justice; communication studies; dance; enterprise leadership; ethics and public policy; global health studies; history; interdepartmental studies; international relations; international studies; journalism and mass communication; linguistics; mathematics; microbiology; music; neuroscience; philosophy; physics; political science; psychology; religious studies; social work; sociology; statistics; theater arts; world languages (Asian languages and literature, comparative literature, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish).

Participating university officials include College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (CLAS) Dean Chaden Djalali and UI President J. Bruce Harreld, who will confer degrees. Michèle Crider, who will receive an Honorary Doctor of Musical Arts degree, will be the guest speaker. Graduate Kimberly Chexnayder of Kansas City, Missouri, will be the student speaker. Graduate Katelyn Knight of Ely, Iowa, will sing the National Anthem. Doors open at 8 a.m., and graduates should arrive no later than 8:15 a.m.

Live video stream: https://now.uiowa.edu/2018/05/video-college-liberal-arts-and-sciences-university-college-spring-2018-commencement-ceremony

College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
1 p.m., Carver-Hawkeye Arena 

Ceremony for graduates majoring in African American studies; American studies; ancient civilization; anthropology; art; art history; athletic training; biochemistry; biology; biomedical sciences; chemistry; cinema; classical languages; computer science; economics; English; English and creative writing; environmental policy and planning; environmental sciences; gender, women’s, and sexuality studies; geography; geoscience; health and human physiology; informatics; science education; social justice; speech and hearing science; sport and recreation management; sport studies; therapeutic recreation.

Participating university officials include CLAS Associate Dean Meenakshi Gigi Durham and Interim Executive Vice President and Provost Susan J. Curry, who will be conferring degrees. Honorary speaker will be Melissa S. Shivers, UI vice president for student life. Graduate Kayln Hugdahl of Naperville, Illinois, will be the student speaker. Graduate Will Callan of Davenport, Iowa, will sing the National Anthem. Doors open at noon, and graduates should arrive no later than 12:15 p.m.

Live video stream: https://now.uiowa.edu/2018/05/video-college-liberal-arts-and-sciences-university-college-spring-2018-commencement-pm

Iowa MBA Programs
1 p.m., Hancher Auditorium

Guest speaker will be Laura Newinski (BBA ’87), who is vice chair of operations for KPMG. Graduates should arrive no later than 12:15 p.m.

Live video stream: https://now.uiowa.edu/2018/05/video-iowa-mba-programs-spring-2018-commencement-ceremony

Tippie College of Business Undergraduate
5 p.m., Carver-Hawkeye Arena

Guest speaker will be Steve LaCroix (BBA ’90), who is executive vice president and chief marketing officer for the Minnesota Vikings. Student speaker will be Adam Dellos. Graduates should arrive no later than 4:15 p.m.

Live video stream: https://now.uiowa.edu/2018/05/video-tippie-college-business-spring-2018-commencement-ceremony

Carver College of Medicine
Bachelor of Science degree candidates (nuclear medicine technology, radiation sciences, and medical laboratory sciences majors)
6:30 p.m., Hancher Auditorium

David Asprey, assistant dean for student affairs and curriculum in the Carver College of Medicine and chair and DEO of the Department of Physician Assistant Studies and Services, will preside over the ceremony. J. Brooks Jackson, vice president for medical affairs and dean of the Carver College of Medicine, will confer degrees. Keynote speakers will be John Buatti, professor and chair of the Department of Radiology Oncology, and Matthew Krasowski, professor and vice chair for clinical pathology and laboratory services. Radiation sciences student Keilly Lopata will deliver the graduate address, and Holly Bonfig-Becker, Radiologic Technology Program educator, will provide the Charge to the Graduates. Anthony Knight, administrative director of radiation sciences education and director of the Nuclear Medicine Technology Program, will present the graduates. Graduates should arrive no later than 6 p.m.

Live video stream: https://now.uiowa.edu/2018/05/video-carver-college-medicine-spring-2018-commencement-ceremony-bachelor-science

Sunday, May 13

College of Engineering
Noon, Carver-Hawkeye Arena

Student speaker will be graduate Elizabeth Zimmerman. Commencement speaker will be Alexander Cartwright, chancellor of the University of Missouri and UI College of Engineering alumnus (BSE ’89, electrical engineering; PhD ’95, electrical and computer engineering). Cartwright will be inducted into the college’s Distinguished Engineering Alumni Academy. Degrees will be conferred by Susan J. Curry, interim executive vice president and provost. Graduates should arrive no later than 11 a.m.

Live video stream: https://now.uiowa.edu/2018/05/video-college-engineering-spring-2018-commencement-ceremony

Friday, May 25

College of Dentistry
3 p.m., Hancher Auditorium

Dean David Johnsen will give the welcome address. Interim Executive Vice President and Provost Susan J. Curry will confer degrees. Graduate Ryan Frost will be the student speaker. Graduates should arrive no later than 1:30 p.m.

Live video stream: https://now.uiowa.edu/2018/05/video-college-dentistry-spring-2018-commencement-ceremony

Students with disabilities

Degree candidates with physical disabilities who plan to participate in the ceremony should report to Graduation Analysis at 2 Jessup Hall or call 319-335–0228 or email registrar-degree-applications@uiowa.edu to make necessary arrangements.

Streaming and broadcast

See ceremony details above for live video-stream links. Streaming pages will go live before the ceremonies, and archival videos will replace live streams on these pages shortly after the ceremonies conclude.

Social Media

Social media users can join the celebration online by using the hashtag #UIGrad18 with UI graduation–related posts on your favorite platforms. The best posts will be shared via UI social media channels.

Carver-Hawkeye Arena

Entering the Arena

Guests should plan on using the south and west entrances. Doors to the arena will open one hour prior to the start of each ceremony. 

Public Safety officials will search any purses or bags brought into the building. Everyone will be asked to open their coats or graduation gown for visual inspection. No backpacks, large bags (limited to 8.5-by-11 inches or smaller), packages, wrapped gifts, balloons, or outside food and beverages are allowed at Carver-Hawkeye Arena during this event. No air horns or alcohol are permitted.

Additional information about seating and evacuation procedures at Carver-Hawkeye Arena can be found here:

https://registrar.uiowa.edu/seating-and-evacuation-carver-hawkeye-arena-ui-commencement-ceremonies

https://registrar.uiowa.edu/statement-policy-seating-and-evacuation-carver-hawkeye-arena-renting-organization-events

Information for guests with disabilities or limited mobility

Guests with physical disabilities who have a Disabilities Parking Permit (plate, placard, or sticker) will be permitted to park in Lot 46 adjacent to Carver-Hawkeye Arena. Public Safety officers will be restricting entrance to this lot to only those guests with the above-mentioned state-issued permits. From Lot 46, guests should enter the arena via the west doors.

Seating for guests is accessible from the upper concourse, which is the same level where you will enter. Guests with disabilities or limited mobility can find seating in the Feller Club Room. This room is equipped with large TV screens, and commencement ceremonies can be watched live from here. No food or beverages will be permitted in this room.

Guests with disabilities also are welcome to view the ceremony from the upper concourse level. Wheelchair and scooter spaces can be found in sections K–N on this level. Space is limited, and guests are asked to seat themselves and no more than two companions in this area. Guests should provide their own wheelchair if needed.

A sign language interpreter will be on stage to interpret the ceremony.

Hancher Auditorium

Doors at Hancher Auditorium open an hour before the designated ceremony’s start time.

Hancher Auditorium guests with disabilities or limited mobility who possess a state-issued disabled parking permit can park in the lot adjacent to the auditorium on the west side, with overflow lots southwest of the auditorium in Lot 55. Visit https://hancher.uiowa.edu/road-construction to view the location of these lots.

Guests with limited mobility can enter Hancher through either of the two west entrances. Guests needing seating accommodations should contact Hancher directly at 319-335-1158.

Hancher guests should be aware that there is significant construction on Dubuque Street and Park Road that could delay travel, especially at peak times. Delays of at least 15 to 30 minutes are possible, and travelers should plan accordingly.

For the media

Carver-Hawkeye Arena commencements: Doors open one hour before each ceremony. Photographers and news media are permitted on the arena floor until 15 minutes before ceremonies begin, at which point they must return to the designated media area. Media and visitors on the arena concourse are asked to keep noise to a minimum while the ceremony is in progress. Interviews should be conducted outside the arena. Clean audio is available through the arena system.

Hancher Auditorium commencements: Doors open one hour before each ceremony. Media and visitors are asked to keep noise to a minimum while the ceremony is in progress. Interviews should be conducted outside the performance hall area.