ISU moves record-level graduation to Jack Trice Stadium

AMES - With a record number of students getting their diplomas, Iowa State University is moving Saturday's commencement ceremony for undergraduates to a larger but outdoor venue - Jack Trice Stadium.

The spring graduating class is nearly 4,600 undergrads, and the university says typically about half of them participate in the ceremony.

'It has long been Iowa State's tradition to ensure everyone is welcome to attend the ceremony, which has been held at Hilton Coliseum, the second-largest campus venue,” ISU President Steven Leath said in a message to campus. 'This year, however, we anticipate attendance for spring undergraduate commencement to exceed Hilton's maximum capacity. As a result, for the first time ever, we are moving this ceremony to our largest university venue, Jack Trice Stadium.”

ISU last fall completed renovations to the stadium, including creating a new main entrance.

The stadium is set to open at 11:30 a.m. for the 1:30 p.m. commencement ceremony.

The university planned to move the ceremony back indoors at the Hilton Coliseum, but with overflow and a live video stream at Stephens Auditorium, if there was bad weather. The forecast for Ames calls for a high of 67 degrees, with scattered thunderstorms in the morning and 40 percent rain chances.

But ISU announced Friday afternoon on Twitter that the outdoor ceremony 'is a go.”

'It's Iowa, so be prepared for light rain or sunshine,” the tweet said.

U.S. Secretary of Energy Ernest Moniz, who is on a two-day swing through Iowa and has praised the state's commitment to wind, solar and biofuel energy, is scheduled to be the commencement speaker.