The University of Iowa holds commencement ceremonies May 10-13 and June 8. The following coverage guidelines are designed to assist news media while respecting the needs of graduates and their families.
UI alumnus, former Hawkeye basketball player, and NBA coach Don Nelson returns to receive his degree at this spring’s commencement ceremonies. Information about a news conference with Nelson also appears below.
Commencement schedule
See below for dates, start times, and venues for each commencement. Doors open to public and media one hour before the start time listed:
- College of Pharmacy: Thursday, May 10; 10 a.m.; Marriott Hotel and Conference Center, Coralville
- School of Management, Tippie College of Business: Friday, May 11; 10 a.m.; Marriott Hotel and Conference Center, Coralville
- College of Law: Friday, May 11: 1 p.m.; Iowa Memorial Union Main Lounge
- College of Medicine: Friday, May 11; 6:30 p.m.; Marriott Hotel and Conference Center, Coralville
- College of Liberal Arts and Sciences: Saturday, May 12; 9 a.m.; Carver-Hawkeye Arena
- College of Engineering: Saturday, May 12; 10 a.m.; Marriott Hotel and Conference Center
- College of Nursing: Saturday, May 12; 10 a.m.; Iowa Memorial Union Main Lounge
- Graduate College: Saturday, May 12; 3 p.m.; Carver-Hawkeye Arena
- Tippie College of Business: Sunday, May 13; 1 p.m.; Carver-Hawkeye Arena
- College of Dentistry: Friday, June 8; 3 p.m.; Marriott Hotel and Conference Center
Details about each ceremony are available from the Office of the Registrar.
Photo/video guidelines for Marriott and IMU
No flashes or lights may be used inside the Marriott or the IMU, and no cords or cables may lie on the floor. Please bring your batteries and be prepared to shoot from the shoulder.
Photographers may shoot from the back of the room. Please be in position before the start of the processional.
College of Liberal Arts and Sciences commencement
Doors open at 8 a.m. Photographers and news media are permitted only in the arena concourse area for this year’s ceremony. Media and visitors on the concourse are asked to keep noise to a minimum while the ceremony is in progress.
The university will provide downloadable video clips and photos from the ceremony, available Saturday afternoon. News media are welcome to use this material in any coverage. Find files here as they become available: http://focus.media.uiowa.edu/commencement2012/media/
Clean audio is available through the arena system.
Don Nelson news conference
Former Hawkeye basketball player Don Nelson will return to receive his bachelor’s degree during the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Commencement. He will hold a news conference after the ceremony, at about 11:45 a.m.
The news conference will be held in the practice gym on the second floor of Carver-Hawkeye Arena. Media can take the elevator or stairs to the second floor—the practice gym is adjacent to the elevator.
Graduate College commencement
Doors open at 2 p.m. Photographers will be allowed on the floor until 2:50 p.m., when they must return to the designated media area. Photos may be taken from the media area at any time.
Full arena lighting will be used, so additional lights should not be necessary. Flashes and tripods are permitted. Cords may not lie on the floor in areas of any foot traffic.
Clean audio is available through the arena system.