Graduation and Convocation Information

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Graduation and Convocation Information

The College of Human Sciences Convocation is meant to give you the recognition you deserve.

Graduation

The College of Human Sciences convocation is a separate event from the official Iowa State University commencement ceremony.  The convocation includes only students from the College of Human Sciences and allows students and their guests a more individualized celebration of their achievement. Diploma covers are not presented at the college event. The covers are presented at the University commencement ceremony.

Convocation

Who: Undergraduate students approved for graduation or early walks
Time: Friday, May 12, 2023, 1 p.m.
Place: Hilton Coliseum

The Spring 2023 College of Human Sciences Convocation will be held in James H. Hilton Coliseum on Friday, May 12, 2023. Seating is unlimited and tickets are not required for admission. Attendance is optional.

The College of Human Sciences Convocation will begin promptly at 1 p.m. and last approximately 90 minutes, doors open to the public at noon. Several colleges hold convocation events at Hilton Coliseum on Friday, May 12. The times have been arranged to allow minimal overlap. The suggested arrival time for our ceremony is noon. Please note, Hilton Coliseum staff will perform a bag check for all individuals entering the facility for the convocation ceremonies. Limited concessions will be available.

The convocation will include greetings from the Dean of the College, comments by a student speaker, and individual recognition of each graduating student who is in attendance. At the conclusion of the recognition of student award recipients, students will cross the stage as their names are read and be recognized by the Dean and the chair or director of their respective academic department or school.

Live Streaming

The Spring 2023 College of Human Sciences Convocation livestream will begin at 1 p.m. on May 12 and can be viewed below.

Purpose

To recognize all students graduating from the college, and those receiving special college awards.

The College of Human Sciences Convocation is a separate event from the official Iowa State University commencement ceremony. This event includes only students from the College of Human Sciences and allows students and their guests a more individualized celebration of their achievement. Diploma covers are not presented at the college event; the covers are presented at the University commencement ceremony.

Arriving at Hilton Coliseum

Students will need to plan to arrive at Hilton Coliseum by 11:45 p.m. Please check in at the west entrance of the ground level of Hilton to pick up your reader card. Please plan enough time to complete your reader card with your mailing address and email address. You will be instructed where to line up; signs will be posted according to major. If you have a double major or are earning a double degree, you can choose with which major you would like to sit/cross the stage. Do not take a program at the entrance; there will be one for you on your chair. Leave coats, purses, and other valuables with family or friends.

Directions and parking

Directions to the James H. Hilton Coliseum are available. Parking is available in the Iowa State Center parking lot, directly south of Hilton Coliseum.

Cap and gown required

Black gown and cap with maroon tassel are required. These may be purchased from the ISU Book Store, Memorial Union. Students who have successfully completed the Honors Program and/or are graduating with distinction (3.5+ GPA at the end of the fall 2022 semester) are encouraged to wear Honor cords.

Early walks

Those students who wish to participate in the College of Human Sciences Convocation but do not graduate during the current term should submit an early participation request (PDF). Requests will be accepted until Friday, April 14, for the spring convocation.

Convocation line-up

Students will register and line up between 11:45 a.m. – 12:45 p.m. Students should enter Hilton Coliseum on the west side, ground level.

Invitations

Invitations will be emailed in March to students at their University email addresses on file with the Office of the Registrar. Families will receive a personal invitation at the permanent addresses on file with the Registrar’s Office.

RSVP

In order for a student to sign up to attend the College of Human Sciences Convocation, students should log in to AccessPlus. Click on the “student” tab, select “graduation,” and then select “diploma/ceremony.” Complete all of the required fields.

If you would like to walk during the Human Sciences Convocation (and have not registered via Access Plus), email Dynette Mosher (dmosher@iastate.edu) by Monday, May 8, at noon.

Name

Major

Name Pronunciation Notes

Special arrangements

Any graduate or guest who plans to attend the College of Human Sciences Convocation and who will need special assistance during the ceremony, should email Dynette Mosher or call 515-294-2820 prior to the ceremony to make arrangements.

Crossing the stage

The most important part of the convocation is the individual recognition of graduates. Only the names of students who are present will be read. Recognition will be grouped by major. If you have multiple majors or will earn multiple degrees, you will be recognized only once. Marshals will lead the graduates to the foot of the stage to be recognized by the Dean and the graduate’s respective department chair or school director, as the graduate’s name is read.

Diploma

Diplomas will not be handed out at the CHS Convocation, but rather can be:

• Picked up by the graduate in 210 Enrollment Services or
• Mailed to the student 2-3 weeks after graduation.

Please contact the Iowa State Graduation Office if you have questions about your diploma options at 515-294-9372.

Photographs

During the procession, the lights in Hilton will be at full intensity for photographs. Flash attachments are not necessary. High-speed daylight film is recommended for color photography, both still and motion pictures.

Flash Photography will take a photo of each graduate as she/he crosses the stage and is greeted by the Dean. Within one week of the ceremony, graduates will receive electronic proofs. Graduating students may order photos using an online ordering system. However, you are under no obligation to order any photos.

Questions regarding photographs should be directed to:

Flash Photography
888-325-3930
www.flashphotgraphy.com

Reception

Graduates, families, and friends are invited to a reception (beginning at approximately 2:30 p.m.) in the Scheman Building, First Floor Lobby. The Scheman Building is located directly west of Hilton Coliseum. The reception is a good time to visit with family, friends, and faculty and to take small group photographs.