Elementary Education students receive BA degrees from the College of Education.
Secondary Education students will also be recognized by their program faculty for completing the Teacher Education Program and being recommended to the state for licensure.
The faculty speaker will be Greg Hamot, professor of social studies education in the College of Education. Carrie Borchert of Ankeny, Iowa, who will be receiving a Bachelor of Arts in elementary education, will be the student speaker. The keynote speaker will be alumnus Jhoon “Jake” Chung (BA ’96), chair of the College of Education Advisory Board and assistant superintendent for personnel and planning at Arlington Heights School District 25 in Arlington Heights, Illinois.
Doors are scheduled to open one hour prior to the start of the ceremony; the ceremony is expected to last around one hour.
More information can be found on the College of Education website.
Fall 2018 Ceremony Video
Ceremony Information
All graduates participating in The College of Education Commencement and Teacher Education Program Recognition Ceremony are required to wear a gown, cap, black and gold tassel with the University Seal.
Apparel can be purchased from the Iowa Hawk Shop beginning with the bi-annual Grad Fair through the end of Finals Week.
- Doors to Hancher will open one hour prior to the start of the ceremony. Graduates should arrive no later than 15 minutes after the doors open.
- Arrive for your ceremony with cap and gown.
- Proceed to Strauss Hall
- Please Note:
- All items and people are subject to any search deemed necessary by the University of Iowa Police
- No outside food or beverages except one unopened water bottle per guest will be allowed in the auditorium.
- Items that cannot be searched by security personnel are strictly prohibited; wrapped packages will not be allowed.
Graduating students should report to the Name Card Hand-Out Table designated for your last name and college. These tables are positioned on the upper concourse. Tell the staff member your first and last names. Hold onto your card! You will hand it to a reader who will read your name from it when you cross the stage.
If you arrive with a coat or purse, make arrangements to leave these items with a family member or friend. You should not have anything in your hand other than your photo name card when the processional begins and throughout the ceremony. Cell phones should be silenced or turned off.
Your marshal will escort your group to a designated seating area. You should sit down as soon as you reach your chair. A program booklet listing the graduates will be on your chair.
For the Presentation of Graduates, the candidates will be invited to come to the stage to be recognized individually. Your marshal will lead your group to the stage. Take your name card with you, hand it to the person scanning the name cards and walk briskly to center stage to shake hands with the University of Iowa official. You will exit the stage on the opposite side you entered and return to your original seat as directed by a marshal.
Following the closing remarks and processional of platform party, candidates will begin to recess in an orderly fashion under the marshals’ direction.
- Commencement is the culminating event of University study for students who choose to attend. An appropriate and dignified academic atmosphere is absolutely expected so that you, your family, and other guests may enjoy this important gathering.
- The following rules of behavior will be enforced at all ceremonies:
- No alcoholic beverages of any kind
- Inappropriate dress and costumes worn under gowns will not be allowed
- Cell phones must be turned off or silenced in the graduate seating area
- No flowers, purses, gifts, balloons, or bags will be allowed in the student seating area
- Marshals and security staff will be looking for intoxicated persons. Inebriated students are not permitted to participate
- With everyone’s cooperation, this occasion will become a proud and happy memory of your academic achievement at the University of Iowa