Eastern Illinois University

Eastern Illinois University (EIU) conducts its commencement ceremonies in a structured, formal manner. On Commencement Day, graduates must arrive one hour early dressed in their academic regalia; graduate students will be hooded on the stage. Rented caps and gowns are returned at Lantz Fieldhouse after the ceremony, but the tassel is yours to keep.

Regarding honors, EIU offers "Graduation with Distinction" for undergraduates, based on GPA. Honors medallions are awarded in three ribbon colors: gold for Summa Cum Laude (GPA 3.90–4.00), white for Magna Cum Laude (3.80–3.89), and blue for Cum Laude (3.65–3.79). These medallions are picked up during ticket distribution before the event.

EIU’s regalia policy allows honor cords and stoles, but these are not issued by the Commencement Office — they must come from individual departments or student organizations. For graduate (master’s) students, honor cords are not worn: their academic achievement is instead displayed via the hood, which is colored according to their discipline.

EIU’s regalia provider is Herff Jones. According to their catalog:

• Bachelor’s regalia: sapphire blue gown, matching mortarboard, and Yale‑&‑gray tassel.
• Master’s regalia: sapphire blue gown, matching cap, black tassel with a gold band, plus a black hood lined or trimmed with the degree color velvet.

Overall, EIU’s commencement emphasizes academic tradition and distinction: a specialty sapphire blue graduation gown, mortarboard cap, discipline‑oriented hood for grads, plus medallion ribbons for undergraduate honors — while honor cords and stoles are managed by individual departments or societies rather than centrally.

Eastern Illinois University (EIU) Academic Regalia Kit

Celebrate your EIU graduation with the officially approved cap, gown & tassel set designed to match university traditions.

• Classic sapphire blue graduation gown — signature color for EIU undergraduate and graduate degrees :contentReference[oaicite:13]{index=13}
• Sapphire blue mortarboard graduation cap for a cohesive academic look :contentReference[oaicite:14]{index=14}
• Tassel: Yale & gray with a gold band for bachelor’s; black with gold band for master’s, per Herff Jones catalog :contentReference[oaicite:15]{index=15}
• Honor accessory ready: Compatible with honor cords or stoles awarded by departments or organizations — EIU does not centrally issue all honor cords/stoles :contentReference[oaicite:16]{index=16}
• Degrees with Distinction: Undergraduates earn medallions (not cords) for Cum/Magna/Summa distinction based on GPA :contentReference[oaicite:17]{index=17}
• Master’s hood: Black hood lined in discipline-specific velvet colors (buy separately) :contentReference[oaicite:18]{index=18}
• Multiple sizes available for a comfortable, formal fit

Order your EIU regalia kit now and stand proud on your graduation day with cap, gown, tassel, and honor wear aligned to your achievement.

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