Indiana University Northwest

Indiana University Northwest (IU Northwest) presents a traditional commencement ceremony that follows Indiana University academic regalia conventions while showcasing campus identity. Undergraduates wear the classic black graduation gown and mortarboard graduation cap; each bachelor’s graduate receives a crimson Stole of Gratitude embroidered with the IU seal to signify campus affiliation and academic achievement. Master’s candidates wear velvet-edged master’s hoods whose velvet trim indicates the graduate’s academic discipline and whose satin lining reflects the university colors.

Tassel and hood colors follow standardized academic color codes used across Indiana University: disciplines map to specific colors so graduates can display their field—examples include Light Blue for Education, Drab for Business, White for Humanities and Social Sciences, Apricot for Nursing, and Gold hues for various science programs. Doctoral holders generally wear distinctive doctoral gowns with velvet panels and often gold tassels. Graduates should wear tassels on the right side before degrees are conferred and move them to the left once degrees are officially awarded during the ceremony.

Honor cords, stoles, and other cords recognize academic distinction, honors levels, and service. IU Northwest documents honor cord traditions and special cords for recognition categories; student veterans and service honorees may have specific cord colors to denote their status. Faculty regalia aligns with degree and institutional custom: faculty with doctoral degrees wear velvet-faced doctoral gowns and hoods that display the degree-granting institution and discipline color, while faculty with master’s or bachelor’s degrees wear gowns appropriate to their highest earned degree.

The campus provides clear logistical guidance—cap-and-gown ordering, GradFair events, procession times, hooding order, and ceremony rules—on the IU Northwest commencement webpages and the official commencement program PDF. Graduates and family members are advised to verify degree level and academic division before ordering regalia to ensure correct graduation gown accents, tassels, hoods, stoles, and honor cords for the ceremony. This summary is drawn from IU Northwest commencement resources.

IU Northwest Academic Regalia Set — Cap, Gown & Tassel

Get your official Indiana University Northwest commencement regalia — includes black graduation gown, mortarboard cap, discipline tassel, and optional stole or honor cord.

• Black Graduation Gown: Traditional IU Northwest-style robe with braided crimson piping.
• Mortarboard Cap: Square cap for all degree levels.
• Tassel Options: Choose based on your academic discipline—drab (Business), light blue (Education), white (Arts & Sciences), apricot (Nursing), Kelly green (Health), Nile green (Labor Studies), peacock blue (Public Affairs), citron (Social Work), etc.
• Undergrad Stole: Crimson “Stole of Gratitude” with IU Northwest seal.
• Honor Cords: Fourragères available for academic distinctions and honor society recognition.
• Master’s Hood: Velvet trim in your field color + cream & crimson satin lining.
• Faculty Regalia: Doctoral gowns with velvet panels and discipline-color hoods.
• Important: Verify your school and degree level before ordering to ensure the correct academic regalia combination.

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