Day of the Ceremony

Online Viewing Information

Bellevue University streams the Commencement ceremony live on Saturday, January 25, 2025 so those who cannot attend still have an opportunity to watch their graduate walk across the stage.

Participants in the Doctoral Hooding Ceremony will receive a Zoom link prior to their ceremony on Friday to share with family and friends who cannot attend.

Both ceremonies will be recorded and available on Bellevue University’s YouTube channel a few weeks after the ceremonies.

View the live streaming video of the Bellevue University Commencement Ceremony beginning at 8:30 a.m. (CT)

If you have any questions, please contact BRUIN Support at 1.800.756.7920 or [email protected].

Doctoral Hooding Ceremony

A Doctoral Hooding ceremony will be conducted during the Saturday, January 25, 2025 ceremony at the Mid-America Center in Council Bluffs, Iowa.

Doctoral graduate and their guests should arrive no later than 8:00 a.m. (CT) at the Mid-American Center to allow the graduates to dress in their regalia and for family to be seated. Staff will be on hand to assist with regalia.

Schedule of Events on January 25, 2025

Commencement is held at the Mid-America Center in Council Bluffs, Iowa

  • 8 a.m. — Mid America Center doors open for graduates and guests. Graduates check in for formation at the Mid-America Center South Entrance; Video Shout Outs begin on screen in the arena and live online
  • 8:30 a.m. — Final count of participants (please be in your seat by this time as this will determine whether or not your name is read while crossing the stage)
  • 9:10 a.m. — Ceremony begins with procession of graduates
  • All times listed are Central Standard Time (CT)
  • Late arrivals WILL NOT be admitted into the ceremony.

Mid-America Center

  • The Mid-America Center is located at 1 Arena Way, Council Bluffs, Iowa 51501.
  • There are two parking lots designated for guests at the Mid-America Center with no charge.
  • Graduates and guests enter the Mid-America Center South Entrance.


Directions to the Mid-America Center

1 Arena Way,
Council Bluffs, Iowa 51501

From I-80 West

  1. Traveling west on Interstate 80 from Des Moines, take the South 24th St exit, Exit 1B, toward Council Bluffs.
  2. Turn right onto South 24th Street.
  3. Take the first left onto Mid-America Drive West.
  4. Turn right onto Arena Way.

From I-29 North

  1. Traveling north of Interstate 29 take the South 24th St exit, Exit 1B, toward Council Bluffs.
  2. Turn right onto South 24th Street.
  3. Take the first left onto Mid-America Drive West.
  4. Turn right onto Arena Way.

From I-80 East

  1. Traveling east on Interstate 80 from Lincoln, Nebraska, merge onto I-29 North via Exit 1A on the left toward Sioux City.
  2. Take the Nebraska Ave exit, Exit 52, toward Riverboat Casino/Dog Track Casino.
  3. Turn left onto Nebraska Ave and take the first right onto South 35th Street, which becomes 23rd Ave.
  4. Turn right onto Bass Pro Drive and take the first left onto 24th Ave.
  5. Stay straight to go onto Arena Way.

From Eppley Airfield

  1. When leaving the terminal, turn left (south) on Abbot Drive and left onto North 14th St.
  2. Merge onto Interstate 480 East via the ramp on the left and merge onto Interstate 29 South toward Kansas City.
  3. Take the Nebraska Ave exit, exit 52, toward Riverboat Casino/Dog Track Casino and turn left.
  4. Turn right on South 35th St which becomes 23rd Ave.
  5. Turn right onto Bass Pro Drive and take the first left onto 24th Ave.
  6. Stay straight to go onto Arena Way.

Guests

We do not limit the number of guests you can invite. Seating is on a first come, first served basis. Your guests should enter the Mid-America Center from the main entrance on the south side. Your guests will not be allowed into the Exhibition Hall as the area is reserved for graduates. Seating for guests is accessible by stairs, escalator, or elevator, which will be available when doors open at 8 a.m. (CT)

Personal Items

Please give your valuables to your family or friends before you go to the Exhibition Hall for formation. (If you would like to take pocket sized items with you to the dressing area, make sure to keep them with you.) Once you are dressed, counted, seated by the Registrar’s Office, and given instructions for the ceremony, you will not be able to leave the Exhibition Hall to visit with family and friends.

Recessional

You will be ushered out immediately following the faculty and Board of Directors. Your family and friends remain seated during the recessional. After exiting the arena, you will be directed back to the Exhibition Hall, where you will turn in your gown.

Meeting Your Guests After

Once graduates have exited the arena following the commencement ceremony, family and friends can proceed to the first floor. Please make arrangements or designate a location to meet your friends and family after the ceremony. Alphabetical banners hanging in the Exhibition Hall make a convenient meet-up place for you and your party.

Graduation Photography and Gown Return

Several backdrops are available in and around the Exhibition Hall for photo opportunities. Please ask for photo assistance from one of the volunteers in purple robes if needed.

Disability Access

We strive to make the ceremony comfortable and accessible for all graduates and guests. The Mid-America Center is accessible however, an early arrival is recommended as seats are available to individuals with a disability on a first come, first served basis.

The south entrance of the Mid-America Center is an optimum location to let individuals off who have mobility limitations. All guest entrances to the convention center are fully accessible, featuring power assist doors.

Guests with mobility limitations are welcome to utilize the elevator or escalator to the general seating areas on the second floor. Wheelchair accessible seating is available in the general seating areas on a first come, first served basis.

Services for Guests who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing

An American Sign Language (ASL) interpreter may be provided upon request with advanced notice of 4-6 weeks. We will attempt to arrange interpreters on shorter notice, but cannot guarantee availability. Email [email protected] to request. Closed captioning will be provided on the arena video boards.

Services for Guests with Visual Disabilities

All commencement programs are printed in large font sizes and are available from volunteers on the main floor of the Mid-America Center.

Staff Assistance

Disability Services staff and volunteers are available to assist guests to accessible seating. The team will be wearing name badges to identify themselves. Staff will be available at the south entrance near the elevators and escalators as well as on the second floor to assist guests.

Wheelchairs for Guests

Bellevue University is not equipped to provide wheelchairs. The Mid-America Center may have wheelchairs available for guest use. For more information, please contact the Mid-America Center at 712-323-0536.

Related links

Online Degrees University Calendars Graduation Commencement Ceremony Information for Faculty Werner Park General Guidelines and Safety Measures