December 2023 Commencement
Friday, December 15, 2023 at 6:30 p.m.
Simpson College, Smith Chapel
Indianola Campus
Live Stream Link
Line Up/Check-in: All graduates must be in the lobby of the Amy Robertson Music Building to line up at 5:45 p.m.
Open for Business Graduation Day:
Simpson Spirit Shop: 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
CEREMONY: Simpson College celebrates two commencement ceremonies each academic year; one at the end of the fall term and one at the end of the spring term. A student who is eligible for the December ceremony may elect to participate in either December or in the following spring ceremony, but not both. To be eligible for the December ceremony, a student must have no more than two courses (8 credits) to complete after December 15, 2023. Students whose name has appeared in an earlier commencement program are not eligible to participate in an additional commencement ceremony, unless receiving a second Simpson Degree.
GUESTS: We will not be issuing tickets for your guests, however seating is limited. Please limit the number of your guests to no more than eight people. Doors open at 5:00 p.m. and guests should plan to be seated by 6:15 p.m. Those arriving late will be seated in the overflow area with a live video feed of the ceremony. There will be a wheelchair available and there are spaces at the end of pews where a wheelchair can be comfortably placed. Please remember that food and beverages are not allowed inside the chapel.
RECEPTION: A cookie and punch reception will be held in the Kent Campus Center atrium.
DIPLOMAS: At commencement, all participating will receive a diploma cover during the ceremony. Diplomas will be mailed approximately six weeks from when completion has been recorded and verified. Your diploma will be mailed to your permanent address on file in the Registrar's office.
HONORS: Specific Latin honors will be listed in the commencement program and will be based on the cumulative GPA available as of November 1, 2023. A minimum of 64 credits earned at Simpson are required for honors eligibility.
CAPS AND GOWNS: (October 26, 2023 Deadline)-No Charge for Cap & Gown.
To order your cap and gown, please go to the Jostens Order Site or before October 26, 2023 10:59 p.m. CST. Placing your order on-line will guarantee you have the correct size for your height and weight. If you are not able to place an order on or before October 26, 2023 10:59 p.m. CST, please call or visit the Simpson Spirit Shop. We will have extra caps & gowns available at the Spirit Shop in various sizes but we cannot guarantee we’ll have your exact size. If you have any questions please feel free to call our store at 515-961-1635. Cap and Gown pick up will begin December 11, 2023, unless notified of alternate pick up request.
West Des Moines Delivery
If you want your order sent to the West Des Moines campus, please call or email the Spirit Shop after you place your order, and no later than December 4, 2023. ALL cap & gown orders are automatically sent to the Spirit Shop regardless of the address you request online.
PHOTOGRAPHER: A professional photographer will take a photo of each student participant during the ceremony. You will receive details on ordering prints closer to the event.
If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact the office of academic affairs (515-961-1720) or the registrar’s office (515-961-1642).