As the 2023-2024 academic year comes to a close, graduating seniors are overwhelmed by a sea of emotions. Whether it be stress-studying for finals or making the final arrangements for careers and living spaces, seniors at UI are in the last stretch of the marathon that is undergrad. But, seniors have one last chance to stop and smell those yellow Pentacrest flowers through the Senior Sendoff Series. 

Facilitated by the Division of Student Life, the Senior Sendoff Series is an opportunity for graduates to celebrate their time and achievements at Iowa. Comprised of some traditional events and some completely unique special events, the Senior Sendoff Series will occur in April and May. All students are welcome to attend these events, aside from the 2024 class photo on May 3. 

This year’s graduating class was the incoming class of 2020, meaning they never got to participate in the iconic “Block-I” class photo on the Pentacrest. This, and some other opportunities that looked different because of COVID-19, is why the Senior Sendoff is especially important this year. 

Associate Director for Leadership and Engagement, Christopher Hawkins, emphasizes the importance of taking advantage of every event the university has to offer. “Senior Sendoff is a great opportunity to check off some of those last few great experiences you can get on campus,” states Hawkins.

Although all students are encouraged to attend the Senior Sendoff events, graduating seniors will enjoy some special perks. The first 50 seniors to arrive at the Pentacrest for the “Block-I” photo will receive tickets for free meals at the food trucks that will cater the event. The Thursdays on the Terrace occurring April 25th will feature a build-your-own stuffed animal station, where seniors will receive a complimentary “Senior Sendoff Series” t-shirt for their stuffed animal (while supplies last). 

Some familiar favorites will occur this year, though they’ve never been compiled into the Senior Sendoff Series before. CAB’s Taste of Asia took place on April 20th, and coming up is Spring-A-Palooza run by CAB, SCOPE, ARH, and Dance Marathon will take place on May 3rd at Hubbard Park. The carnival will start at 4:30 p.m. and feature bubble soccer, a caricature artist, and free food trucks, plus a special performance by Spilltab starting at 7:30 p.m.

In addition to all of these events, MISSE will host graduation celebrations for each of its respective areas.

• Latinx/a/o Graduation Celebration was on April 12, 2024
• Rainbow Graduation - April 29, 4:30-6:30 p.m. at the Old Capitol Museum
• CIAE End of Year Celebration - May 7, 3:00-6:00 p.m. at the IMU
• International Student Graduation Celebration - May 8, 3:00-5:00 p.m.
• Black Graduation Celebration - May 10, 5:00-8:00 p.m. at the Courtyard by Marriott on Melrose Ave.

More details can be found on the Senior Sendoff website.