The Tippie College of Business Graduate Management Programs holds one annual MBA commencement ceremony in May for all students completing their degree requirements in the respective academic year.
Guest speaker will be Chris DeWolf, BBA 1994, president and CEO of Cedar Rapids-based Li’l Drug Store, a supplier of health and beauty products to convenience stores nationwide. Graduates should arrive no later than 9:15 a.m.
For more information visit the MBA Commencement website.
Congratulations to the graduating class of 2019!
Relive the memories and watch a video playback of the ceremony below.
Ceremony Information
Please arrive for the ceremony with cap and gown in hand by 8:15 a.m.
Check-in will be arranged alphabetically by last name. You will be given your name card and if you are graduating with honors you will also receive your gold cord at this time.
Candidates for degrees will line up and be seated in alphabetical order. To assist with the announcement of names, please see that your name is spelled phonetically on the name card. Keep the card with you until you hand it to the announcer as you are recognized on stage.
The MBA commencement ceremony has open seating, but requires reservations. Guest seats are not reserved and tickets are not required for the ceremony.
No backpacks or large bags are allowed. We reserve the right to inspect any bag or package brought into the building.
Graduates planning to participate in the ceremony who need special accommodations for themselves or their guests should email Mindy Redlinger at mindy-redlinger@uiowa.edu to make appropriate arrangements.
The program will begin with a processional of the graduates led by the Platform Committee. Commencement programs will be available on your chair; therefore, you do not need to carry one with you to the ceremony. The ceremony will begin with a welcome from Dean David Frasier, followed by the commencement address, the Conferral of Degrees, and the presentation of graduates.
For the Presentation of Graduates, the candidates will be invited to the stage front to be recognized individually. Take your name card with you, hand it to the person reading names at the microphone, and walk briskly to the center stage to shake hands with the university official(s) and Dean Gardial. Continue across the stage to receive your diploma cover from Dean Frasier.
Following the closing remarks, graduates will be asked to stand and the Platform Committee will then lead the recessional out of the ceremony.
The University of Iowa is committed to integrating sustainable practices into all University programs and activities while ensuring a memorable and positive experience at every event. Please note, all graduates have been provided a copy of the Commencement program, which is also available to order.
A light celebratory reception to honor the graduates will immediately follow the commencement ceremony. The reception is complimentary for graduates and their guests.
Diploma covers will be distributed during the ceremony and actual diplomas will be sent out by the Registrar's Office once final grades are processed. University of Iowa graduates with no outstanding University charges will receive one 8.5" x 11" diploma, per degree earned. Diplomas for new graduates will be sent to the students' Diploma Mailing Address approximately 6 weeks after graduation. If students do not list a Diploma Mailing Address the diploma will be mailed to the Residing Address they list on MyUI at the end of their graduating session.
If you are unable to attend graduation and would like to receive a diploma cover, please visit the Office of the Registrar's Diplomas page.
Professional photographers will be taking two photos of each candidate at the ceremonies: a more formal "posed" photo and a "candid" photo taken while shaking hands with a university official. Name cards printed with the candidates Official or Preferred name will be picked up by graduates at the venue prior to the ceremony. Please provide the pronunciation of your name if it is not already printed on the card. This is very important to fill out for the announcement of your name during the ceremony. To receive complimentary proofs, please be sure to complete the address information on the back of the name card. After the ceremony you will receive your proofs with the option for purchase, so please fill out your card with accuracy and include your post graduate email and street address.
Information about regalia is forthcoming.
If time allows, gowns should be pressed with a cool iron or allowed to hang in order to remove wrinkles.
Men are expected to wear ties. Jackets are not required. Flowers may not be worn on gowns. No backpacks or purses are to be taken on stage. Graduates are encouraged to leave any jackets, purses, or other personal items with their family members prior to checking in, as the check-in area will not be staffed during the ceremony.
Caps are to be worn with the mortarboard horizontal and the tassel on the left. They should be worn during the processional, while degrees are being conferred, and during the recessional. They may be removed at other times.