Photo by Christopher Gannon.
AMES, Iowa — An estimated 1,993 students are completing their Iowa State degrees this semester — the most ever for a fall commencement at the university. Many of them, as well as some students who finished degree programs last summer, will be recognized during an all-university commencement ceremony at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 29, at Hilton Coliseum.
Iowa State will award an estimated 111 doctoral degrees, 251 master's degrees and 1,631 bachelor's degrees. In addition, some of the 748 Iowa State students who completed their degrees at the end of the summer term will participate in Saturday's commencement ceremony. Tickets are not required for the ceremony.
Honorary degrees, speaker
During the ceremony, Iowa State will award honorary doctoral degrees to 1970 alumna and economist DeAnne Julius and Iowa businessman Eugene Sukup.
Julius will receive a doctor of humane letters for "her many outstanding contributions and distinguished service in economics, business, international relations, government, policymaking and academia." Also a graduate of Ames High School, her career includes positions with the Central Intelligence Agency, World Bank, Bank of England and the think tank Chatham House (also known as Royal Institute of International Affairs), where she currently serves as senior adviser to its board. Julius will give the commencement address.
An honorary doctor of science degree will be presented to Sukup for his "contributions to state, national and global agricultural challenges," particularly in the area of grain storage. With his wife, Mary, Sukup founded Sukup Manufacturing in 1963 in Sheffield. Today, the company employs 550 people. Over the course of 50 years, he has received 40 U.S. patents and 10 foreign patents; the company holds another 44 patents. The Sukups have supported numerous academic and athletic projects at Iowa State.
Watch online
For those unable to attend commencement in person, the ISU registrar's office will provide a live video stream beginning at 1:30 p.m. The video will be archived on the registrar's YouTube channel within a couple of days.
College events and social media
The six undergraduate colleges will honor their graduates at separate events Friday or Saturday prior to the university ceremony. Additionally, all graduates and their families are invited to a reception at the ISU Alumni Center following the university ceremony, or approximately 4 p.m.
The registrar's office also sponsors these graduation-related social media options: