Things to keep in mind...
Look below at some items to remember before the day of the ceremony.
Apparel
All graduates are expected to wear academic regalia at their ceremonies. The color of the tassel to purchase is determined by the college the student is enrolled in. If the student is unsure which college they are enrolled in they can see the information in MyUI.
Undergraduate and Professional Graduates
The Iowa Hawk Shop and University Bookstore is open and is currently accepting apparel orders along with other items related to commencement. More information can be found on the Hawk Shop website.
Although the Hawk Shop is still accepting orders online, it is highly encouraged to purchase apparel in person at this point.
Apparel will not be available for purchase at the ceremonies.
Graduate College Graduates
Graduate student apparel deadlines have passed online at Herff Jones. If students have questions, please contact Herff Jones at gradmidwest@gmail.com or 952-447-4449.
- It is the student's responsibility to return rented apparel to Herff Jones within one week of the ceremony. Rental apparel must be postmarked by May 19, 2023.
- Apparel cannot be returned at the ceremony and must be shipped directly to Herff Jones using the prepaid shipping label included in the apparel box.
Apparel will not be available to purchase or rent at the ceremonies.
Commemorative Slides
Students can download a branded University of Iowa graduation slide from the RSVP portal in MyUI to share with family and friends. The commemorative slide is for graduate use only; the slide will not be displayed during the ceremony or broadcast during the livestream.
- Students can add or edit a commencement slide photo until Wednesday, April 26, 2023. Slides are for personal use and are not used at the in-person ceremonies.
Livestreams
Know someone who is interested in a spring 2023 ceremony but is not planning on attending in person? All ceremonies will premiere at their scheduled time and day and will be livestreamed with captions enabled.
Every college will have their own commencement ceremony, tailored to their college and including messages from a variety of individuals chosen specifically to honor and address graduates of that college. Degrees will be conferred and graduates who have RSVP'd Yes will be individually recognized during the ceremonies.
A link to the ceremony livestream will be included on the individual ceremony pages in the "Watch Live" section. We encourage people planning on watching the livestream to bookmark that page or click on the YouTube link and bookmark that URL.
If someone cannot tune in during the premiere, the ceremonies will be available for viewing on the University of Iowa YouTube channel after the premiere concludes.
Other Related Activities
There are a few other events on campus around commencement that aren't directly tied to a ceremony.
2023 Celebration of Graduates
Saturday, May 13, 2023 - 2:30 to 4 p.m. at Kinnick Stadium.
This event celebrates the accomplishments of fall 2022, spring 2023, summer 2023 graduates, and recent REACH Program Completion Students.
President Barbara Wilson and Executive Vice President and Provost Kevin Kregel are pleased to host a reception inside the Ted Pacha Family Club in the north end zone. Light refreshments will be served and Herky will be available for photos. Names and photos of graduates will be displayed on Kinnick Stadium's video board during the reception, and guests will be invited to view the display from the outdoor club seats. There will be no formal program.
Eligible students should have received an email from Marching Order with instructions on how to register on April 6, 2023. The deadline to register is May 1, 2023.
Pictures on the Pentacrest
Friday, May 12, 2023 - 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. and Saturday, May 13, 2023 - 11:00 a.m. to 3 p.m. in front of the Old Capitol.
Graduating students are invited to stop by the UI Center for Advancement tent for fun alumni giveaways, free cookies, and complimentary professional photos taken with the Graduation Herky statue and in front of the Old Capitol.
These events are weather permitting and there is no indoor alternative.
