An estimated 3,766 students completed degree programs at Iowa State this semester and many of them will participate in commencement events this weekend.
The first of three commencement exercises begins at 8 p.m. Friday, May 10, in Hilton Coliseum. An estimated 357 master's and 128 doctoral degree recipients will be honored. The ceremony will be streamed live on the ISU registrar's website.
Carol Chapelle, Distinguished Professor of Liberal Arts and Sciences (Teaching English as a Second Language/applied linguistics), will address the graduates. She leads the English department's doctoral and master's programs in these areas, and is especially known for her research on the use of technology in second language learning. Chapelle received her education at Michigan State University, East Lansing (bachelor's degree in linguistics), and the University of Illinois, Urbana (master's degree in TESL, doctorate in applied linguistics).
At noon Saturday in Stephens Auditorium, an anticipated 141 new doctors will receive the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree. The class includes 23 students from the University of Nebraska, Lincoln, who transferred to Iowa State for their final two years of veterinary training under a partnership between the two universities.
Dr. Tammy Beckham, who directs the National Center for Foreign Animal and Zoonotic Disease Defense, College Station, Texas, and also leads Texas A&M's Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory, will give the address. Beckham received her DVM from Auburn University, Alabama, where she also earned a doctorate in biomedical science.
Finally, at 1:30 p.m. Saturday in Hilton, many of the anticipated 3,140 students completing bachelor's degrees this spring will be honored. This ceremony also will be streamed live online.
CNN business anchor Christine Romans, a 1993 Iowa State journalism graduate, is the commencement speaker. Romans is the host of Your Money, CNN's Saturday and Sunday business program. She also reports on the economy, politics and international business for CNN's morning shows.
Tickets are not required for any of the university commencement events. Students who will complete a bachelor's, master's or doctoral degree this summer have the option of participating in the May or December ceremonies.
Special events
Iowa State colleges will hold separate events May 10-11 to honor their own graduating students. A full schedule of these college events is online.
Additionally, Iowa State's 16th annual Lavender Graduation will begin at 7 p.m. Thursday, May 9, in the Memorial Union Sun Room. An estimated 20 graduating members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and ally communities will be honored. Special guest Rev. Jamie Washington of Baltimore, a consultant and educator in multicultural affairs and proponent of LGBT rights and leadership, will present the Legacy of Leadership Award to two retiring faculty members. All are welcome to attend.
The ISU Alumni Association will host a reception for all graduates and their families at the alumni center on Saturday afternoon immediately following the undergraduate ceremony. It's free for all 2013 graduates, whether they're ISUAA members or not.
