Family & Guests

An older woman kisses a smiling graduate on the cheek
A decorated grad cap with a picture of a little girl and the words daddy did this for you!

Commencement Ceremony

Date: Tuesday, May 7, 2024

Time: Procession at 6:30 p.m., Ceremony at 7 p.m.

Location: Joyce Center at the University of Notre Dame
113 Joyce Center
Notre Dame, IN 46556

Live Broadcast: Commencement.iu.edu

Venue and Parking

Commencement will be held at the Joyce Center on the University of Notre Dame campus with doors opening at 5:30 p.m. and a procession beginning at 6:30 p.m.

Parking is free and available in the lots off of Joyce Drive. Please follow the directions from the parking attendants.

For those concerned about walking, please plan to drop guests off in front of the Joyce Center before parking.

Accessible Parking: Handicap parking is available lots for vehicles with a state approved license plate or hang tag, on a first come, first served basis. These spaces may be a distance from the Joyce Center, so you may want to drop off guests at the entrance before parking.

Parking Map

Graduation Photos

Photographs may be taken at any point during the ceremony; however, you may be restricted from photographing in certain areas. Indiana University contracts a photographer to take photos of the graduates in their caps and gowns. Graduates do not need to sign up for these photographs before the ceremony. A photographer will take their picture after they step from the stage holding their diploma covers. Proofs and order forms will be mailed to you after graduation, or you can preorder photos.

Preorder photos

Accessibility Information

Our trained Commencement organizers provide services to graduates and guests who need accommodations. A lift is available for graduates to access the stage. Seating for guests utilizing a wheelchair or scooter is available in the arena. For those with limited mobility, elevators are located at Gate 9 (the main entrance). The ceremony will be open captioned on video screens. For further information or to request additional accommodations, please contact IU South Bend Alumni Relations at 574-520-4381 or at iusbalum@iusb.edu.

Accessible Parking: Handicap parking is available lots for vehicles with a state approved license plate or hang tag, on a first come, first served basis. These spaces may be a distance from the Joyce Center, so you may want to drop off guests at the entrance before parking.

Safety Screening

Indiana University operates Commencement venues in accordance with best practices for guest safety as recommended by Indiana University Public Safety and Institutional Assurance. Upon arrival at the venue, guests may be asked to walk through metal detectors.

  • Bags are inspected by trained security staff.
  • To expedite entry, please limit bags to small purses, clutches, or diaper bags.
  • Items, including large bags, backpacks, and wrapped gifts, will not be permitted in the venue.
  • Similarly, graduating students are screened upon arrival at the graduate robing and lineup location.

This policy is in place not as a response to any incident nor to any threat, and it reflects similar policies at universities and professional venues around the country. For more information, contact psia@iu.edu.

Celebrate your Graduate

A joyful graduate at Commencement

Capture the moment

Preorder digital or printed professional photos taken by GradImages during the procession lineup.

Preorder photos
Hands cradling an IU diploma

Make it official

Order personalized announcements, a class ring, or diploma frame through Herff Jones.

Browse mementos
A bundle of red roses

Give a bouquet

Order from IU’s exclusive Commencement vendor to have flowers ready for pick up at the ceremony.

Order flowers

I loved having my family see me walk the stage as a first generation college graduate. I felt like I made my family proud!

Meredith Torres, B.A. and B.S, 2022

Questions? Our Commencement team can help!

Connect with us

Indiana University South Bend

1700 Mishawaka Ave
South Bend, IN 46615
Phone: 574-520-4872