AMES, Iowa – Nearly 2,100 students are completing degrees at Iowa State this semester. Their achievements will be celebrated during two graduation events this weekend in Hilton Coliseum. The ceremonies also will be livestreamed (see sidebar).
Graduate students
At a 7 p.m. graduate ceremony Friday, Dec. 16, an estimated 218 doctoral and 254 master's degree recipients will be honored. Beate Schmittmann, dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, will address the graduates. Schmittmann leads the university's largest college, with 21 departments and one professional school. Every undergraduate takes courses in the college.
Undergraduate students
An undergraduate ceremony at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 17, will celebrate the accomplishments of an estimated 1,615 bachelor's degree recipients. Alumnus Suku Radia of West
Radia
Des Moines, who retired in 2017 as chief executive officer (CEO) of the state's largest independent bank, Bankers Trust, will address the audience. Currently, he serves as an executive-in-residence in the Ivy College of Business.
Born and raised in Kampala, Uganda, Radia came to the United States in 1971 to attend Iowa State, completing a bachelor's degree in accounting in 1974.
Honorary degree recipient
Another ISU alumnus and distinguished member of the Des Moines business community will receive an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters during Saturday's
undergraduate ceremony. The university will recognize Daniel Houston, chairman, president and CEO of Principal Financial Group, as "one of the world's most influential business leaders." Houston completed a marketing degree at Iowa State in 1984, and has spent his 38-year career at Principal Financial.
Faculty in the marketing department nominated Houston for the honor and the state Board of Regents approved the request last winter.
College-specific celebrations
Colleges will honor their graduating students during convocations held prior to the university commencement ceremonies. Most events will be livestreamed. The college convocation schedule is:
- Agriculture and Life Sciences, Dec. 16 (10 a.m., Hilton Coliseum)
- Human Sciences, Dec. 16 (1 p.m., Stephens Auditorium)
- Business, Dec. 16 (4 p.m., Hilton Coliseum)
- Engineering graduate students, Dec. 16 (4 p.m., Reiman Ballroom, Alumni Center)
- Liberal Arts and Sciences Dec. 16 (4 p.m., Stephens Auditorium)
- Design, Dec. 16 (5 p.m., 101 College of Design)
- Engineering undergraduate students, by department, Dec. 16-17 (various start times and campus locations)
