Grand View University Announces Connie Boesen as 2025 Commencement Speaker

April 21, 2025

Des Moines Mayor Connie Boesen will deliver the keynote address and receive an honorary degree at Grand View University’s 2025 commencement ceremony. The event is scheduled for Sunday, May 4, and will take place at Wells Fargo Arena in downtown Des Moines.

Boesen made history in January 2024 when she was sworn in as the first female mayor of Des Moines. Her election marked a significant milestone for the city, building on her years of service as an at-large member of the Des Moines City Council, a role she held from 2017 to 2023. As mayor, Boesen has prioritized initiatives that focus on economic development, neighborhood revitalization, accessible transportation, affordable housing, mental health resources, social equity, and empowering the city’s youth.

Boesen is a lifelong resident of Des Moines. She graduated from East High School and attended Grand View University, making this upcoming commencement especially meaningful. Her professional journey includes a 30-year career as a buyer for Younkers department store and over a decade of service on the Des Moines Public School Board from 2003 to 2017.

In addition to her public service, Boesen is a business owner with a familiar presence at the Iowa State Fair. Since 1988, she has owned and operated the beloved Applishus and The Salad Bowl food stands, popular staples for fairgoers each summer.