The Commencement ceremony will be held on Saturday, May 26, at 10:00 a.m., in the Hy-Vee Hall, Iowa Events Center (skywalk level), 730 Third Street, Des Moines, Iowa.

Please click here to view a map of the area.

At this one-hundred and twelfth annual ceremony, degrees will be awarded to graduates in the DO, DPM, DPT, MSPA, MHA, MPH and Post-Professional DPT programs.

Attendance at the graduation ceremony is a requirement for graduates of the full-time clinical programs - DO, DPM, DPT and MSPA. Graduates in the MSA, MBS, 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 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.

Graduates are requested to arrive by 9:00 a.m. Please go to the skywalk level of Hy-Vee Hall, where ushers will be available to direct you to your assigned location. Graduates are expected to wear dress shoes with socks/stockings. Men should wear a shirt and tie; women, please wear better dresses or separates. Dark colors are preferred.

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 Hall. A family member must remain with your children in the play area at all times.

Parking is available directly north of Veterans Memorial Convention Center with entrances off the following streets: Third, Fifth and Crocker.

Parking garages: City parking garages are located throughout downtown with convenient skywalk access to the Iowa Events Center. Payment for city garages is collected each time you enter the garage. The City of Des Moines has a downtown parking signage system to give up to the minute details on where parking is available in the garages. Cost varies depending on the garage.

8th & Mulberry Parking Garage
750 Mulberry St., 843 Vehicle capacity

5th & Keo Parking Garage
525 - 5th Ave, 620 Vehicle capacity

4th & Grand Parking Garage
400 Grand Ave. 1080 Vehicle capacity

3rd & Court Parking Garage
210 - 2nd Ave, 609 Vehicle capacity

5th & Walnut Parking Garage
225 - 5th Ave. 620 Vehicle capacity

7th & Grand Parking Garage
665 Grand Ave. 570 Vehicle capacity

9th & Locust Parking Garage
801 Locust St, 1130 Vehicle capacity

ADA accessible parking is available at the Iowa Events Center by entering the lot south of Crocker Street, next to Vets Auditorium. You will also find ADA accessible parking on the third level of the Fifth Avenue and Keo Way parking ramp. The Hy-Vee Hall does not provide wheelchairs so please provide your own for family members who need assistance.

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