The Commencement ceremony will be held on Saturday, May 24, at 10:00 a.m., in the Polk County Convention Complex (skywalk level), 501 Grand Avenue, Des Moines. Please click here to view a map of the area.

At this one-hundred and eighth annual ceremony, degrees will be awarded to graduates in the DO, DPM, DPT, PA, MHA, MPH and Postprofessional DPT programs.

Attendance at the graduation ceremony is a requirement for graduates of the full-time clinical programs - DO, DPM, DPT and PA. Graduates in the MPH, MHA and PPDPT programs are strongly encouraged to attend.

Graduates are welcome to invite as many guests as they wish. The University does not issue tickets or in any way limit the number of guests per graduate. We do recommend that your guests plan to arrive at least one-half hour prior to the start of the ceremony. Doors will open at 8:30 a.m. If you arrive early to reserve seating, one person must remain in the section to ensure those seats will be available when the rest of your party arrives. The seating in the rear of the complex is some distance from the stage. We do have a projection screen to enlarge the stage images for families seated in the back sections.

Graduates are requested to arrive by 9:00 a.m. Please go to the street level where ushers will be available to direct you. Please dress professionally. Graduates are expected to wear dress shoes with socks/stockings. Men should wear a shirt and tie; women, please wear better dresses or separates.

The ceremony lasts approximately two hours. To assist families with young children, the University provides a play area in the skywalk on the east side of the Plex. A family member must remain with your child(ren) in the play area at all times.

Parking should be readily available in downtown Des Moines on a Saturday morning. Des Moines city officials recommend that you use the following lots:

1. Fifth Avenue at Keo Way
2. Fourth Street at Grand Avenue
3. Fifth Avenue at Walnut
4. Seventh Street and Grand Avenue

Handicapped parking is available on the third level of the Fifth Avenue and Keo Way parking ramp. The Convention Complex does not provide wheelchairs so please provide your own for family members who need assistance.

Maps of the downtown area are accessible online at www.seedesmoines.com.