Fall 2026 Commencement Events
Saturday, December 19, 2026, 1 p.m.
Commencement ceremony:
- Doors will open at Noon. Graduates should arrive no later than 12:15 p.m. and proceed to the check-in at the Strauss Rehearsal Hall to pick up their name cards.
- Parking will be available free of charge on the day. Visit the Hancher Auditorium Information page for parking options.
- Students are required to RSVP through MyUI which is open from September 1 to November 8.
- Students with guests who require parking and accessibility accommodations should complete Hancher's accessibility service request form.
Degree application deadlines
- Spring 2026: February 27, 2026
- Summer 2026: June 12, 2026
- Fall 2026: Oct. 2, 2026
Dates are subject to change, please consult the Academic Calendar for all degree-related dates.
* There is no summer ceremony. If you are interested in participating in a ceremony but are a summer graduate, review the early or late participation instructions on the UI Commencement website.
Information for graduates and guests
To ensure a safe and comfortable experience for all attendees, Tippie's Fall 2026 Commencement will require tickets for all guests.
Because seating is limited, all guests must present a valid ticket for entry, and guests without a ticket will not be admitted.
Additional details, including the number of tickets available to each graduate and instructions for obtaining tickets, will be shared as they become available.
Graduates
Please carefully review Steps to Graduate and Participate on the UI Commencement website.
Honor Cords
Beta Gamma Sigma members and Tippie Honors graduates will wear honors cords with their academic attire. Cords can be picked up in the Undergraduate Program Office, C140 PBB. An email will be sent to students when they are available.
Guests
Please review Guest Information on the UI Commencement website.
We encourage guests to sign up for the UI Commencement Guest Newsletter to receive updates and important information regarding the ceremonies.
Hancher Auditorium Accessibility Information
Accessible seating is located in several areas in the auditorium. Upon arrival, please speak to an usher who can direct your party to accessible seating.
Guests with disabilities who have a state-issued ADA parking placard or license plate will be permitted to park in the lot on the west side of Hancher, additional accessible parking can be found to the southwest.
An American Sign Language interpreter will be on stage to interpret the ceremony.
Additional accessibility needs can be submitted through Hancher's accessibility service request form.
Commencement speaker
If you are interested in applying to be a commencement speaker, please complete the application form.
First Destination Survey
Let the Career Center know about what you are doing next (job, continuing education, etc.). This information helps future Hawkeyes explore what they can do with their major.
Tippie Undergraduate Programs December ceremony details
Arrival and Line-up
Upon arrival, you will locate your check-in table (organized according to last name). There you will pick up your name card, which you will carry with you to the stage. We will ask that students line up (in no particular order) at 12:45pm in Strauss Rehearsal Hall. The ceremony will begin with the faculty processional promptly at 1:00 p.m.
Ceremony
The ceremony begins with a welcome and introduction of the platform officials, comments from an invited speaker, comments from the student speaker, and conferral of degrees. Next, the marshals will direct graduates to walk across the stage.
You will scan your card so that your name appears on the live streaming broadcast of the ceremony. Then, you will hand your card to a college representative who will read your name as you proceed across the stage to shake hands with officials, and exit the stage to have your photo taken.
Recessional
At the conclusion of the ceremony, your marshal will dismiss each row in an orderly manner. You will proceed through the auditorium in the same way you entered. You can rejoin your guests in the lobby.
Diplomas
Diplomas will be mailed to your residing address after a final audit confirms that all requirements have been met. Participation in the ceremony is not a validation of graduation.
Photos
Professional photographers will be taking two photos of each candidate at the ceremonies: a more formal "posed" photo taken prior to being recognized on stage and a "candid" photo taken while shaking hands with a university official.
To receive a complimentary proof (with no obligation to purchase), students must complete the address information on the back of the name card. This photo name card will be handed to the reader as each student is recognized on stage. Students should check for accuracy.
Complimentary proofs will be mailed and emailed to the graduates within 10 days of the ceremony.