College of Education Undergraduate Commencement and Teacher Education Program Recognition Ceremony is held at the end of the semester to recognize all of the graduating Teacher Education Program students.
Doors open one hour prior to the start of the ceremony. No tickets required.
A livestream of the ceremony is available.
Dean Dan Clay will give the welcome, and will confer degrees along with Executive Vice President and Provost Kevin Kregel.
Jon Sexton, an alumnus of the College of Education, will be the keynote speaker. Sexton is the senior vice president of culture and leadership at Vibrant Credit Union and the founder of Sexton Leadership.
Meredith Caskey, visiting instructor in elementary physical education, health, and wellness, will be the faculty speaker. Kaitlin Felderman, from Delmar, Iowa, will be the student speaker. Felderman is graduating with a degree in Social Studies Education, as well as a degree in History from the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.
Mark McDermott, associate dean for teacher education and student services, will recognize those who completed the Teacher Education Program.
Livestream
Additional Info for Graduates and Guests
Required Apparel
- Please order online through Herff Jones (email Becca Stai for the link)
- Required for all Graduates
- Bachelor gown (unless MAT student, then wear Master’s gown)
- Mortarboard cap
- Black & Gold Tassel with University Seal
Arriving at Hancher Auditorium
- 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, tassel, 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.
Name Card Hand-Out
Graduating students should report to the Name Card Hand-Out Table. Tell the staff member your first and last names. Hold onto it! You will hand it to the individual scanning name cards right before you cross the stage.
Personal Items
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.
Seating
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 passed down the row. Please take only one.
Presentation of Graduates
- 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 receive your diploma cover from 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, graduating students will begin to recess in an orderly fashion under the marshals’ direction.
Expectation of Graduates
- 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