The Commencement Celebration is the campus' annual event to celebrate your success. In addition to the ceremony held by IU Columbus, all students are invited to attend the IU Indianapolis Commencement, however, be aware that you will not have your name read at that ceremony, but only stand with your degree program to be recognized.
Celebrating Your Achievements
Celebration Details
Date: May 13, 2025
Time: 10 a.m.
Location: Nexus Park
Applying to graduate
Hopefully if you've made it to this page, you've already applied to graduate. That is the first step in the process and is required to receive your diploma and your transcripts.
Have you completed the graduation application form?
- NO: If you haven't completed the graduation application, you can do that HERE.
- YES: If you have completed the graduation application form and want to participate in the commencement celebration ceremony, you will need to:
- Be graduating in December 2024, May 2025, or August 2025.
- Order your regalia (cap & gown). The link to the 2025 ceremony regalia will be available beginning on February 1, 2025.
Check back on February 1, 2025 to complete the tasks to participate in the commencement celebration ceremony.
Ordering Your Cap & Gown
Herff Jones is our trusted supplier of caps, gowns, graduation announcements, and class rings, both for students and faculty.
The deadline to order regalia is April 12, 2025.
Planning Your Day
You should plan to arrive approximately 90 minutes before the ceremony begins. We will begin lining up for commencement approximately 30 minutes before the start of the ceremony.
Where to be and when
You will need to do the following after you arrive:
- Check-in at your division's table
- Fill out a card to give to Grad Images for your photos
- Get your honors cords and put them on (if you earned them)
- Take some photos of yourself and your friends and post to social media
There are no dressing rooms, and there is no secure area to leave personal items. Therefore, please bring only your academic apparel with you and leave personal items elsewhere. We cannot be responsible for items left unattended.
Guest Arrivals
Guests should plan to be in their seats at least 30 minutes prior to the ceremony. No one will be seated during the processional.
Parking
Parking details will be available two weeks prior to the event.
About the Commencement Ceremony
- The ceremony will take about 90 minutes
- Graduates will be seated by academic division
- At the conclusion of the vice chancellor's comments, ushers will direct graduates to recess in an orderly fashion. Please follow the directions of these ushers.
Is the celebration accessible for people with disabilities?
Yes, we are committed to the special needs of our graduates.
Students, family, and friends who are attending the IU Columbus Commencement Celebration and are aided by the use of a wheelchair, or require accessibility assistance, should call the Office of the Vice Chancellor and Dean at 812-348-7226.
Photography
Professional photographs will be taken of each degree candidate at the Commencement Celebration by Grad Images. You will have an opportunity to purchase your photograph from them.
Prohibited Items
Please do not bring alcoholic beverages, fireworks, balloons, silly string and signs are not permitted. Please respect your fellow graduates and refrain from bringing these items.
How do I get my Diploma?
The Indiana University diploma covers presented at the Commencement Celebration do not contain actual diplomas. Assuming you have no holds on your account, your diploma will be mailed to the address on record in four to six weeks after your final class. It is recommended that you check the address in your Student Center before graduation to ensure the diploma is mailed to the proper address.
