UIU to host 154th Commencement ceremonies Saturday

Upper Iowa University will host its 154^th Commencement ceremonies at Harms-Eischeid Stadium in Fayette on Saturday May 7. Approximately, 1,850 students have completed their degree requirements at all UIU locations and are eligible to be recognized during the 2016 Commencement.

Graduates of the University’s MBA, School of Business, and School of Science and Mathematics programs will participate in a 10 a.m. ceremony. This exercise also includes associate degrees with an emphasis in General Business. Meanwhile, the MPA, School of Liberal Arts, MEd, MHEA, and Andres School of Education ceremony will be held at 2:30 p.m. Associate degrees with an emphasis in Liberal Arts will also be awarded during this program.

To facilitate travel plans, the University will make its decision on whether to relocate the ceremony indoors based on the weather forecast on Wednesday, May 4. The announcement will be posted on the homepage of the UIU website at http://www.uiu.edu. Only in an emergency would the decision be made on Saturday to relocate the ceremony.

In the case of inclement weather, the ceremonies will be moved to Dorman Gymnasium on the Fayette campus.  All seating is on a “first-come” basis. An overflow viewing area will be located in the Student Center ballrooms. Guests at this location will be able to view the full ceremonies on live video. Live streaming of the broadcast may also be viewed at http://www.uiu.edu.

As previously announced, Mary Cheddie, who received her master’s degree at UIU in 2008 and was elected to the UIU Board of Trustees in October 2015, will deliver the commencement addresses. A native of Alleman, Iowa, Cheddie graduated from North Polk High School.

“Being born and raised as an Iowa farm girl, it is very humbling to be asked to share my thoughts at the 2016 commencement ceremonies,” said Cheddie, who currently resides in Coral Springs, Fla. “I am incredibly honored and with a personal passion for helping people to be the very best that they can be, I cannot wait to share some insight and experiences with our graduates, students, faculty, families and other esteemed guests.”

Mary Cheddie, SPHR, SHRM-SCP, currently serves as senior vice president of human resources for Interval Leisure Group, a leading provider of vacation services. She has more than 25 years of domestic and international experience in all aspects of human resources and training. Cheddie is a recognized business leader and most recently was awarded the “2016 Excellence in Human Resource Award for Hospitality” by South Florida Business & Wealth.

For additional information about Upper Iowa University’s 2016 Commencement ceremonies, including concessions and dining, parking, shuttle services, lodging, and stadium rules, visit http://www.uiu.edu/support/commencement.html.