Indiana University Columbus (IU Columbus) hosts its annual Commencement Celebration to honor graduating students in a formal academic regalia ceremony. The celebration typically lasts about 90 minutes, held at Nexus Park, with graduates seated by academic division and processed into the ceremony. Guests are advised to arrive at least 30 minutes before start, and graduates are asked to check in at divisional tables and put on their honor cords before lining up. Only academic apparel is allowed in the venue; there are no dressing rooms or secure storage for personal belongings. Diploma covers are handed out during the ceremony, but actual diplomas are mailed later.

For academic regalia, IU Columbus partners with Herff Jones for caps, gowns, tassels, stoles, and other graduation accessories. Graduates must order their regalia by early April, with gown returns required after the ceremony, while a cap, stole of gratitude, and tassel remain with the student. The tassel colors correspond to major divisions: Business, Education, Nursing, Liberal Arts, and Science. Students who graduate “with Distinction, High Distinction, or Highest Distinction” receive fourragères (looped honor cords) from the university. The honors cords are awarded by division, and students are notified when they are available.

Faculty participating in Commencement are required to wear traditional academic regalia. IU Columbus provides free rental of gowns, hoods, and mortarboards or tams via Herff Jones; faculty must return their rented regalia after use. The exact faculty hood colors follow IU’s standard academic regalia code, aligned with the highest degree earned and discipline.

Indiana University Columbus Academic Regalia Set

Celebrate your achievement with authentic IU Columbus graduation gown, cap, tassel, and honor cord / hood — crafted in official Indiana University colors and style.

• Black Graduation Gown – Lightweight gabardine fabric, full closed‐front (bachelor) or long closed sleeves (master/doctoral).
• Black Mortarboard / Cap – Traditional academic cap used in IU commencement ceremonies.
• School-Specific Tassel Colors:
  • Arts & Sciences – White
  • Business – Drab
  • Education – Light Blue
  • Informatics & Engineering – Copper
  • Law – Royal Purple
  • Medicine – Kelly Green
  • Music – Pink
  • Nursing – Apricot
  • Public & Environmental Affairs – Peacock Blue
  • Public Health – Salmon
  • Social Work – Citron
  • PhD – Royal Blue
• Honor Cord (Undergrads) – Cream and crimson cords reflect academic distinction levels.
• Stole of Gratitude – Crimson or gold stole with IU seal for bachelor’s graduates.
• Master’s / Doctoral Hood – Velvet trim in discipline color, lined with IU cream and crimson satin.
• Doctoral Gown – Velvet panels down front, bell sleeves with three velvet bars.
• PhD Regalia Option – Royal blue hood and gold tassel for IU PhD graduates.

Officially styled for Indiana University Columbus commencement and academic regalia protocol.

Note: To confirm the exact colors of the graduation gown, cap, tassel, honor cords, and stoles for your specific program at Indiana University Columbus, you can reach out directly to the college's administration or the office responsible for commencement and student services. They can provide you with the most accurate and up-to-date information regarding academic regalia.