2026 Commencement Ceremony

Celebrating Our Graduates

The commencement ceremony recognizes students who have completed certificates, diplomas, or associate degree programs during the Fall 2025, Spring 2026, or Summer 2026 semester.

The event will be held at the University of Northern Iowa McLeod Center in Cedar Falls.

Information for Graduates

Information for Guests

Parking Locations

Guest parking is available south of the McLeod Center on W 27th Street and Panther Pkwy.

Entrances

Guests can enter the McLeod Center through the Northwest and Southwest doors. The Northwest doors are handicap accessible and have an elevator to the McLeod Center seating.

The doors to the McLeod Center will open for guests at 5:30 PM.

Livestream

The Commencement Ceremony will be livestreamed on YouTube for those that aren't able to make the ceremony in person.

Student Speaker — Brock Ruzicka

Brock Ruzicka grew up on a family farm in La Porte City, where he learned the value of hard work, responsibility, and perseverance from an early age. Those lessons continue to shape his approach to both his education and his career.

Brock's path to Hawkeye began while he was still in high school, when he took a college-level course through the college. Encouraged by family members who had graduated from Hawkeye and driven by his love for hands-on work, he enrolled in an engine rebuilding course that sparked a lasting passion for the automotive field. That experience confirmed his decision to pursue Automotive Technology and set him on a path toward a career in a rapidly evolving industry.

During his time at Hawkeye, Brock had the opportunity to represent the Automotive Technology program at the Iowa State Capitol, where he spoke with legislators about the future of the automotive industry and the role technical education plays in preparing the next generation of skilled technicians.

While completing his degree, he works part-time at Carquest in La Porte City and serves as a bus driver for the Union Community School District. In his free time, he helps manage the family livestock operation and repairs vehicles for community members, always looking for ways to use his skills to serve others.

Brock believes that success is built not only through individual effort but through service, leadership, and a commitment to community. Throughout his time at Hawkeye, he has worked to support fellow students, assist with program outreach, and represent the college with professionalism and pride. As he looks toward the future, Brock is motivated by the opportunity to continue growing in his field while giving back to the communities and industries that rely on skilled, hardworking professionals.

Keynote Speaker — Tony Thompson

With over 30 years in professional law enforcement and 21 years as a US Army military police officer (and six deployments), one could say that Sheriff Tony Thompson has some experience. He spent the last 16 years of his career as the sheriff of Black Hawk County, Iowa. He oversaw a staff of 140 members and a budget of approximately $20 million.

He worked in nearly every discipline in law enforcement, including computer crimes investigations, street-level narcotics investigations, corrections, patrol, SWAT, community services, public affairs, and drug education.

Sheriff Thompson is known statewide for his mental health advocacy and diversion efforts from the criminal justice system. He served on the Complex Mental Health Needs Subcommittee for the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services and helped frame the mental health redesign legislation in 2012. He has also served on the state's Public Safety Advisory Board, Iowa's Criminal and Juvenile Justice Planning Advisory Council. He is a past president of the Iowa State Sheriffs' and Deputies' Association and continues to serve on several local boards, committees, and councils.

He holds an undergraduate degree from the University of Northern Iowa in communication studies and a master's degree in public administration and criminal justice from Liberty University.