Buena Vista University hosts an annual commencement ceremony where graduates are required to wear formal academic regalia including a traditional graduation gown and graduation cap (mortarboard). The institution’s official commencement page specifies that the ordering of the cap, gown and other accessories is coordinated through a vendor.

Graduates must arrive properly robed in the academic regalia selected for their ceremony.

For undergraduate candidates, the standard academic gown is paired with a mortarboard graduation cap and a tassel that hangs from the cap — the tassel color corresponds to the graduate’s school or major (though the specific color list is not listed publicly). Faculty and staff may rent their regalia, including hoods or gowns reflecting their highest earned degrees and discipline colors.

Honor cords and stoles are offered for students who qualify for academic honors, program distinctions, or membership in academic societies. While Buena Vista University’s handbook does not publish a full list of honor-cord colors or stole colors by discipline, the ceremony guidelines emphasize that academic regalia including cap, gown, tassel and cords must align with the established university order process.

Faculty regalia at Buena Vista follow the standard academic hood and gown conventions, with the faculty wearing gowns that reflect their highest earned degree, color of velvet corresponding to discipline, and hood lining the university colors. The regalia for graduates also aligns with these traditions to maintain continuity between student regalia (cap, gown, tassel, honor cord, stole) and faculty regalia during the ceremony. The graduation gown and graduation cap form the foundation of each student’s academic regalia set, and the added elements — tassels, cords, stoles — personalize the attire according to honor status or program affiliation. This unified regalia approach supports the formal commencement environment and highlights each graduate’s achievement.

Buena Vista University Cap & Gown Set – Official Academic Regalia

Official black graduation gown and mortarboard cap with program-specific tassel, honor cords and stoles, tailored for Buena Vista University commencement.

• Traditional graduation gown and cap — essential academic regalia
• Tassel color matches your major/degree (COLOR placeholder)
• Honor cords and stoles available for recognized achievement (COLOR placeholder)
• Faculty regalia rental option: gown, hood and cap reflecting your highest degree (COLOR placeholder)

Note: To confirm the exact colors of the graduation gown, cap, tassel, honor cords, and stoles for your specific program at Buena Vista University, 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.