Individuals with a Fall 2023, Spring 2024, and Summer 2024 MBA degree application on file and appropriately submitted RSVP confirmation may participate in this ceremony. (Note: In addition to the RSVP, Summer 2024 candidates must complete their MBA degree application by the deadline provided below in order to participate.)

If your degree application semester is not noted above and/or you have questions regarding your commencement ceremony participation eligibility, please contact Raven McMurrin (raven-mcmurrin@uiowa.edu).

For graduates attending the commencement ceremony, the regalia listed below is required to be worn:

• University of Iowa Masters Gown
• Mortarboard Cap
• Masters Hood
• Black tassel

To ensure consistency and quality of regalia, the University of Iowa has transitioned to rentals for all graduates. The masters rental includes all items listed above with the gown and hood needing to be returned while the mortarboard cap and tassel can be kept. (If the gown and hood are not returned, the purchaser will be charged.) While at a significantly higher cost, the option to purchase fine-quality custom keeper regalia is available if a graduate prefers to do so.

For step-by-step details to rent and/or purchase the appropriate regalia, visit the MBA Commencement webpage and navigate to the “Commencement apparel (regalia)” section.

Order as soon as possible! Rental orders are delivered approximately three weeks after the order is placed. For those who chose to purchase their regalia, a minimum of six weeks for delivery should be allotted in order to avoid additional costs. (International orders are accepted, but delivery time varies.)

Shipping Option Selection Tip: The Hawk Shop and University Bookstore will not be open in time on the day of the ceremony to pick up a regalia order. Unless a graduate plans to pick up their order prior to the morning of Saturday, May 18, the ship to home address option should be selected. For Hawk Shop and University Bookstore hours, check out the Store Hours on the Hawk Shop and University Bookstore website.

To ensure regalia arrives in time for the event, the following ordering deadlines have been set for those renting regalia:

• If regalia rental order is shipped to the Iowa Hawk Shop and University Bookstore, the order should be placed no later than Tuesday, March 5. (No additional shipping charge for this option.)
• If the regalia rental order is shipped to a home address, the order should be placed no later than Thursday, April 11. (This option includes a shipping charge.)

Miss the ordering deadlines above?

• While graduates are encouraged to order through the Herff Jones Online Apparel Portal to be guaranteed a full selection of sizes and tassel colors, the Iowa Hawk Shop will have a limited selection of regalia available in store beginning Feb. 1. (Important: Beginning on May 6, a $20 late fee for regalia rentals or purchases made in store.)
  • Important: The Hawk Shop and University Bookstore will not be open in time on the day of the ceremony to purchase regalia. An in-store regalia purchase must be done prior to the morning of Saturday, May 18. For Hawk Shop and University Bookstore hours, check out the Store Hours on the Hawk Shop and University Bookstore website.

With the overwhelming graduate participation for this year’s Iowa MBA Commencement, Hancher Auditorium is implementing assigned guest seating with ticketing to accommodate seating for all graduates while managing the number of guests. To enter the auditorium where the ceremony will be held, guests must now have a ticket scanned or the ticket stub torn at the door.

Additional details have been shared with participating graduates via their University of Iowa email address.

If graduates have a guest(s) planning to attend who needs special accommodations that have not be previously shared, please contact Raven McMurrin (raven-mcmurrin@uiowa.edu) immediately for assistance with making the appropriate arrangements.

On the day of the event, no backpacks or large bags are allowed inside Hancher Auditorium. We reserve the right to inspect items brought into the building.

Thank you for your understanding and flexibility.

Hancher Auditorium has free onsite parking for the Iowa MBA Commencement event. 

Graduates and guests are able to utilize any appropriate parking options as noted in the Hancher Auditorium Parking Map to the right. 

Handicapped parking options are offered and indicated by the purple and blue shaded areas. Also, a designated drop off only area is located close to the main entrance (ENT 1) with the second closer to the entrance of the auditorium itself. Those locations are shown in pink. 

If all appropriate parking options are full, the North Ramp or the Iowa Memorial Union (IMU) Ramp are additional parking locations. For more parking option information, visit the Parking Facilities webpage.

For guests who do not have a ticket and are in the area during the time of the celebration, there will be a free watch party of the Iowa MBA Commencement ceremony livestream at the Levitt Center for University Advancement (One West Park Road, Iowa City, IA 52242).

Doors to the Levitt Center 4th floor Assembly Halls (Green, Hawkinson, and Harding), where the livestream watch party will be held, open at 9:30am on Saturday, May 18, 2024.

The Levitt Center is a short walk across the street from Hancher Auditorium, so non-ticketed guests can spend time with their graduate at Hancher before the ceremony and then walk over to the livestream viewing before the event begins. After the ceremony, guests can come back over to Hancher to meet with their graduate again to continue the celebration.