The May 7 graduation commencement ceremony will be moved from Hilton Coliseum to Jack Trice Stadium.

Attendance for the all-encompassing university undergraduate commencement ceremony has exceeded the capacity of Hilton Coliseum, according to a letter from President Steven Leath. 

The 2016 graduating class has about 4,600 graduates, according to the letter.

“Traditionally, about half of those students participate in the university undergraduate commencement ceremony,” Leath said. “We know our graduates and their families and friends look forward to commencement, a time to celebrate years of hard work and dedication, culminating in a degree from Iowa State and an opportunity to hear their names called as they walk across the stage to mark their achievement. Commencement is our most important university event, and it is always very well attended.”

If unpredictable Iowa weather will hit, the ceremony will return to Hilton Coliseum with overflow seating available in Stephens Auditorium, where the ceremony will be livestreamed.

A contingency plan will be announced on the Iowa State homepage at iastate.edu by no later than noon on Friday, May 6.

“As of today, the forecast for May 7 is 75 degrees and partly cloudy,” Leath said. “Let’s hope for a beautiful Iowa spring day to celebrate the tremendous accomplishments of our graduates! I look forward to seeing you at commencement.”

More information will be posted on the Iowa State Graduation & Commencement website: www.graduation.iastate.edu. Questions can be emailed to[email protected].

Ceremony Details

Where: Jack Trice Stadium

When: Saturday, May 7 at 1:30 p.m.; gates open at 11:30 a.m.

Parking:  Parking map found here

Enter Stadium: Gate 3 (south side) or Gate 5 (northwest side)

Seating: West side only

Mobility Impaired: Parking available in lot S3; enter the stadium at Gate 3

Concessions: Limited refreshments will be available for sale at the stadium

Optional Indoor Viewing: Available in Stephens Auditorium, where livestream video of the ceremony will be shown

Information for Graduates

Graduates should wear their regalia and report to Bergstrom Football Complex no later than 12:15 p.m. for check-in and processional lineup.