Commencement Day Details

2025 Spring Commencement

Saturday, May 3, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. 
Simpson College, Cowles Fieldhouse
Indianola Campus

Graduates please arrive at 9:00 a.m. at Smith Chapel. 

Students should arrive in their cap and gown or put on cap and gown immediately when they arrive.

Graduate’s Checklist

The checklist includes information on ordering cap and gown, announcements, honors, residence hall checkout, financial aid exit procedures, and other items to complete before commencement.

View Graduate’s Checklist

Friday, May 2, 2025      

Baccalaureate – Smith Chapel, 7 p.m. This is an open service for graduates, their families, and friends.  The service will include selections by the choir, student reflections, a faculty address by Dr. Chad Timm, and the reading of the senior class “Gratitudes”. There will be no academic procession, and caps and gowns will not be worn.

Saturday, May 3, 2025  

Graduation Procession Line-Up, 9:15 a.m. Students should arrive in front of Smith Chapel attired in their caps and gowns. Check-in is arranged by last name and is located outside the front of Smith Chapel. You will be given a card numbered to indicate your position in the procession. Go directly into Smith Chapel and find your row that matches the information on your card. Faculty will be in Smith Chapel to help you find your place and to give final instructions.

Commencement Ceremony – Commencement Ceremony – Cowles Fieldhouse, 10 a.m. Doors open at 8:15 a.m. All seating is general seating, no tickets are required. Ushers on duty will be pleased to provide assistance to all guests. Anyone who would like to be seated near the sign language interpreters is asked to express that desire to an usher who will direct them to that specific area. A reception with light refreshments will be held following the ceremony on the Pedestrian Plaza in front of the Kent Campus Center.

Venues Open on Commencement Day

**The Spirit Shop will be open from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
       
Parking and Building Accessibility Information-The north section of the Pedestrian Plaza (south of Girard Avenue) is open to two-way traffic to accommodate drop-offs only in front of the Kent Campus Center. No parking will be allowed on the Pedestrian Plaza.

You can access the Athletic Complex and Cowles Fieldhouse in the following ways:

• From D Street, enter on the west side of the Athletic Center (including handicapped access ramp) or enter the west entrance to Kent Campus Center and walk through the building and down the stairs to Cowles Fieldhouse;
• From the Pedestrian Plaza, enter on the east side of the Athletic Complex or through the east side of the Kent Campus Center and walk through the building and down the stairs to Cowles Fieldhouse.

Handicapped parking spaces are located in the Kent Center Parking Lot, McNeill/Hillman Parking Lot, Pote Theater Parking Lot and on D Street.

Handicapped access:

• From D Street, use the ramp on the west side of Athletic Complex down to Cowles Fieldhouse.
• From the Pedestrian Plaza, enter the Athletic Complex, turn left and take the elevator from the main level to the lower level. When you reach the lower level, proceed down the hallway to Cowles Fieldhouse.

Flowers & Gifts

The Alumni Office has partnered with The Commencement Group to offer flowers and other gifts for your graduates at commencement.

You are able to pre-order flowers or gifts here: https://www.thecommencementgroup.com/simpsoncollege/ to pick up at the ceremony and give to your graduate. They will also have a selection available to purchase at commencement and supplies to write notes to graduates. Questions about these flowers and gifts can be directed to mady.nachtman@simpson.edu.

Have questions? Contact:

Office of Academic Affairs
515-961-1720

or

Office of the Registrar 
515-961-1642