Commencement Details
University Commencement
The official University Commencement Ceremony takes place on Friday, May 8, 2026, at 4:30 PM at Hinkle Fieldhouse.
Join all graduates from across the six colleges at this once-per-year ceremony where we celebrate and share the excitement and importance of your academic achievements with peers, family, and friends. At this ceremony, graduates are awarded their degree conferral by President James Danko, and are collectively recognized by the Provost, Board of Trustees, faculty, staff, and invited guest speakers.
Ceremony time is approximately 90 minutes.
Guest tickets are not required for the 2026 ceremony; however, please limit your guest count to six total at Hinkle Fieldhouse for the main ceremony and eight at your college celebration. We require graduates to provide a rough count of who will be attending as part of the Marching Order registration form. Seating is limited. First come first serve.
Doors open an hour before the ceremony. For more information on Hinkle Fieldhouse policies, please visit Know Before You Go.
College Celebrations
On Saturday, May 9, students are recognized at their specific College Celebration. Join your college dean, faculty, and fellow students at these celebrations which highlight the traditions and culture of each college. Graduates are individually recognized amongst their peers as their names are called to receive their diploma and walk across the stages of Clowes Memorial Hall or Hinkle Fieldhouse.
Graduates and their guests are invited to attend both day’s events.
The schedule of College Celebrations is:
- 9:00 AM—College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Hinkle Fieldhouse
- 10:00 AM—Jordan College of the Arts, Clowes Memorial Hall
- Noon—College of Liberal Arts & Sciences, Hinkle Fieldhouse
- 1:00 PM—College of Education, Clowes Memorial Hall
- 3:00 PM—Lacy School of Business, Hinkle Fieldhouse
- 4:00 PM—College of Communication, Clowes Memorial Hall
Guest tickets are not required for the 2026 ceremony; however, please limit your guest count to six total at Hinkle Fieldhouse for the main ceremony and eight at your college celebration. We require graduates to provide a rough count of who will be attending as part of the Marching Order registration form. Seating is limited. First come first serve.
Doors open an hour before each celebration. For more information on Clowes Memorial Hall and Hinkle Fieldhouse policies, please visit Butler Arts & Events Center: Plan Your Visit.
Commencement information
Friday, May 8, 2026, University Commencement Ceremony
Ninety minutes before the University Commencement Ceremony start time, graduates are expected to check-in at the Efroymson Family Gym (EFG) where they will queue up by their college before they formally process into Hinkle Fieldhouse where they will then be seated in the main arena. Further instructions via email will be provided to graduates prior to the ceremony.
College Celebration
One hour before each individual college celebration, graduates are expected to check-in at Clowes Memorial Hall or Hinkle Fieldhouse. The academic student processional will begin promptly for each celebration, so it is imperative that graduates arrive on time for check-in. Further instructions via email will be provided to graduates prior to the ceremony.
University Commencement Ceremony
This is the official date that graduates will be awarded their degrees, and collectively will ceremonially move their tassels to signify that they have graduated from Butler University.
College Celebrations
During each college celebration, graduates are asked to stand and then are ushered to the stage. As their names are announced, they cross the stage carrying the diplomas they received at ceremony check-in and are greeted by their college dean. Graduates earning master’s and doctoral degrees also participate in the traditional hooding on stage during this recognition.
All degree-seeking candidates are invited to participate in the May Commencement ceremonies in/after the term in which they complete all of their degree requirements. In some cases, students may be granted permission to walk in Commencement ahead of their graduation. As their graduation approaches, students will receive communications from Registration & Records with instructions for applying to graduate. No degree will be awarded unless the student has submitted their graduation application. If a student believes they are eligible to graduate within the next couple of academic terms but has not yet received a communication asking them to apply to graduate, they should email registrar@butler.edu ASAP to confirm their graduation timeline.
The University Commencement Ceremony on Friday, as well as College Celebrations will each last approximately 90 minutes.
Main doors will open to guests 60 minutes before the Commencement Ceremony on Friday in Hinkle Fieldhouse, as well as before each College Celebration in Clowes Memorial Hall and Hinkle Fieldhouse.
- Master’s degrees
- Doctoral degrees
- Associate degrees
- Bachelor’s degrees
Caps and gowns will be available to purchase starting March 17.
Caps and gowns are available for purchase at the Butler Campus Store or online. No pre-order of caps and gowns is needed; all of the necessary elements will be available. Announcements and rings may be purchased from Jostens online at jostens.com
To order, or for pricing information visit the Butler Campus Store (Students cannot pay with their Student Account).
The main commencement and college ceremonies are a formal occasion. Good academic taste requires the cap be worn straight. The tassel should be on the right side of the cap for candidates who have not received a baccalaureate degree from any college or university. Those who have received such a degree will wear the tassel on the left side. Please dress accordingly.
In selecting apparel:
- The hem of the gown is approximately 7 inches above the ankles. Dark shoes are preferred. Please note that if a master’s gown is to be worn, the arms below the elbows are visible.
- Corsages and flower lei necklaces are not to be worn with academic attire.
Student academic regalia includes:
- The university approved mortar board and gown
- One honor cord from one of Butler’s recognized honor societies
- One honor cord representing magna, summa, or cum laude honors from Butler
- One pin, no larger than 1″x 1″, approved by the Department of Student Involvement and Leadership, Office of Student Activities, representing the student’s affiliation to one of Butler’s official student organizations
- One university approved sash:
- The country of a study abroad experience
- The country of origin for international students
- Kente cloth stole
- Student-Athlete
The Graduate Registration period will open the week of February 16, 2026, and remain open until April 17. Each eligible candidate will receive an email invitation from commencement@butler.edu, and must complete the registration form by Friday, April 17, regardless of intention to participate in the University Commencement Ceremony and College Celebration.
For questions, please contact commencement@butler.edu.
The invitation to faculty to participate in commencement 2026 will be sent in the spring. We welcome you to participate in both the main university ceremony and your college’s celebration. Academic regalia is required to participate. Additional information will follow.
Complimentary Parking is available Friday in the parking garage on Sunset Avenue, as well as in the Hinkle Parking Lot.
Complimentary Parking for Saturday’s events is available in the parking garage on Sunset Avenue.
For Graduating Students: Students may request disability-related accommodations or inquire about accessibility by visiting the Event Accommodations webpage to learn more. Please allow two weeks’ advanced notice in order to allow adequate time to make arrangements. Although attempts will be made to honor accommodation requests with less notice, it cannot be guaranteed that without two weeks’ notice a reasonable accommodation can be provided.
For Guests: Butler University is committed to ensuring all individuals have equal access to its programs, services, and community. Please refer to the sections below for accessibility information as it pertains to Commencement Ceremonies at Hinkle Fieldhouse and Clowes Memorial Hall. Email commencement@butler.edu with any questions.
Accessible Parking
Events at Hinkle Fieldhouse: A state-issued disability placard or Butler-issued accessible parking permit is required for special parking considerations in the Hinkle Fieldhouse parking lot. Any vehicle may use the 49th Street bus pull-out in front of the Health and Recreation Complex adjacent to Hinkle Fieldhouse to drop off guests who are not able to walk long distances. The bus pull-out is also used by the city’s IndyGo bus system. Please be time-conscious in this area and use it only for immediate pick-up or drop-off. All other parking is available in the Sunset Avenue Parking Garage.
Events at Clowes Memorial Hall: A state-issued disability placard or Butler-issued accessible parking permit is required for special parking considerations in the surface lot behind the Schrott Center and the lower level of the Sunset Avenue Parking Garage. Guests unable to walk long distances can be dropped off at the main doors to Clowes. All other parking is available in the Sunset Avenue Parking Garage.
Accessible Seating
Accessible seating is available in both Hinkle Fieldhouse and Clowes Memorial Hall. Guests who require accessible seating are encouraged to arrive early, as seating is first come, first served. Ushers will refer guests to the accessible seating areas, and one member of your party will be able to sit with the guest while the remainder of your party will be directed to general seating.
Wheelchair Access
Wheelchair access is available in both Hinkle Fieldhouse and Clowes Memorial Hall.
A limited inventory of transport wheelchairs is available inside Hinkle Fieldhouse and Clowes Memorial Hall. Staff will be providing wheelchair assistance (rides) from the lobby to the guest’s seat, either to general seating or accessible seating. These transport services are available on a first come, first served basis, and in periods of high demand some guests may have to wait for accommodation. Guests who may have difficulty walking moderate to long distances or standing in line are strongly encouraged to bring or rent a wheelchair, a walker with a seat, or another personal mobility device.
Auditory Assistance
Accommodations for those who are hard of hearing will be provided in the form of live captioning. Live captioning is a service that displays spoken words from the event in real time as text on a screen, allowing individuals with hearing impairments to follow along seamlessly. The event program will feature a link to follow along with captions on a user’s personal phone or device.
Phonic Ear Sound Enhancement is also available to amplify stage dialogue. Guests may pick up their individual receiver at the Information Desk located inside Hinkle Fieldhouse in the South Concourse. A photo ID or credit card will be held as collateral while receiver is in use. Twenty-four receivers will be available on a first come, first served basis. Guests may be seated anywhere in Hinkle Fieldhouse to use the phonic ear sound enhancement receivers.
Service Animals
Trained service dogs assisting guests with disabilities are permitted. Service animals must remain on a leash or harness at all times unless the handler’s disability prevents the use of a leash/harness or interferes with the service animal’s safe, effective performance of tasks. In that case, the individual must maintain control of the animal through voice, signal, or other effective controls. The dog will rest in the seating area of the individual with a disability. All other animals are strictly prohibited. Please refer to Butler’s Service Animal Policy for more information.
Emergency Medical Technicians will be located in the event venues through the duration of events.
For more information on emergency occurrences, please visit BUPD Emergency Preparedness.
Personal cameras and video cameras will be allowed for the Commencement exercise, but guests will not be allowed in the area where the graduates are seated. Please be sensitive to other guests when taking photographs.
GradImages
Butler University contracts with GradImages to photograph each graduate. GradImages is the most experienced company in the graduation photography industry and has provided this service as a specialty for over three decades.
Photos are taken:
- when graduates shake the hand of their college dean
- with graduates in front of a Butler banner
- with graduates in front of a solid background
Pre-Register
Graduates can pre-register their email and GradImages will contact them as their photos are available for online viewing and ordering. Up to six family members’ contact information may be added as well to help share the good news and the photos!
GradImages will notify individuals when your proofs are available online, typically within 48 hours of the ceremony.
Any graduate that uses the Pre-Registration link will save 20 percent off orders of $50 or more for your participation.
In order to notify you when your images are available, GradImages sends emails and mails paper proofs, along with optional text message notifications. Your information is never shared and privacy is guaranteed. The graduates and their families then have the option to order whatever additional photo package they would like. There is no prepayment or obligation to do so.
If a graduate wishes to order, it can be done by mail, phone, fax, or the GradImages website. GradImages mails to all countries throughout the world. Finished photographs are mailed to the customer within five to seven days of receipt of an order, which to our knowledge is the fastest turnaround time in the industry.
If questions or additional needs should arise, the Customer Service Department can be reached at 1-800-261-2576.
Each 2026 College Celebration will host a speaker or speakers unique to its college.
More information will be distributed by each college about the selection process.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
General questions
Commencement Weekend takes place May 8–9, 2026. It includes the main University Commencement Ceremony on Friday, May 8, at 4:30 PM in Hinkle Fieldhouse and individual College Celebrations on Saturday, May 9, where graduates receive their diplomas and are recognized by their college.
The University Commencement Ceremony is held at Hinkle Fieldhouse. College Celebrations take place in Hinkle Fieldhouse or Clowes Memorial Hall, depending on the college. The schedule of College Celebrations is:
- 9:00 AM: College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Hinkle Fieldhouse
- 10:00 AM: Jordan College of the Arts, Clowes Memorial Hall
- Noon: College of Liberal Arts & Sciences, Hinkle Fieldhouse
- 1:00 PM: College of Education, Clowes Memorial Hall
- 3:00 PM: Lacy School of Business, Hinkle Fieldhouse
- 4:00 PM: College of Communication, Clowes Memorial Hall
No. Guest tickets are not required for the 2026 ceremonial events. However, graduates are asked to limit guests to six for the main ceremony and eight for their College Celebration due to seating limits.
Both the University Commencement Ceremony and the College Celebrations last approximately 90 minutes.
Doors open for guests one hour before each event.
Commencement is a formal occasion. Graduates wear official academic regalia (cap and gown) and are encouraged to dress appropriately with items such as dark shoes, and limited accessories (e.g., approved cords, sash, or a small pin).
More specifically, student academic regalia includes:
- The University-approved mortar board and gown
- Good academic taste requires the cap be worn straight. The tassel should be on the right side of the cap for candidates who have not received a baccalaureate degree from any college or university. Those who have received such a degree will wear the tassel on the left side.
- One honor cord from one of Butler’s recognized honor societies
- One honor cord representing magna, summa, or cum laude honors from Butler
- One pin, no larger than 1 inch x 1 inch, approved by the Department of Student Involvement and Leadership, Office of Student Activities, representing the student’s affiliation to one of Butler’s official student organizations
- One university approved sash:
- The country of a study abroad experience
- The country of origin for international students
- Kente cloth stole
- Student-athlete
Yes. Both the Friday and Saturday events will be livestreamed via the Commencement page, and recordings are typically available afterward online.
Directions and parking information are available on the Maps & Directions page. Free parking is available in the Sunset Avenue Parking Garage and the Hinkle Parking Lot for Friday and Saturday events. The Sunset Avenue Parking Garage is closest to Clowes Memorial Hall.
- For Graduating Students: Students may request disability-related accommodations or inquire about accessibility by visiting the Event Accommodations page to learn more. Please allow two weeks’ advanced notice in order to allow adequate time to make arrangements. Although attempts will be made to honor accommodation requests with less notice, it cannot be guaranteed that without two weeks’ notice a reasonable accommodation can be provided.
- For Guests: Butler University is committed to ensuring all individuals have equal access to its programs, services, and community. Please refer to “Is there accessible seating and parking for guests with disabilities? What other accessibility services are available?” in the student FAQs section below for accessibility information as it pertains to Commencement Ceremonies at Hinkle Fieldhouse and Clowes Memorial Hall. Email commencement@butler.edu with any questions.
Emergency Medical Technicians will be located in the event venues through the duration of events.
For more information on emergency occurrences, please visit BUPD Emergency Preparedness.
Questions can be directed to commencement@butler.edu.
FAQs for students (graduates)
All degree-seeking students completing their requirements in or after the term they graduate are invited to participate in the May Commencement ceremonies.
In some cases, students may be granted permission to walk in Commencement ahead of their graduation. As their graduation approaches, students will receive communications from Registration & Records with instructions for applying to graduate. No degree will be awarded unless the student has submitted their graduation application. If you believe you are eligible to graduate within the next couple of academic terms but have not yet received a communication asking you to apply to graduate, email registrar@butler.edu ASAP to confirm your graduation timeline.
Students who graduate in December customarily participate in the Commencement ceremonies the following May. Students completing their degrees in August may be permitted to participate in the May ceremonies in advance, pending approval from their respective college. Each college establishes its own criteria for granting this permission. Please contact registrar@butler.edu if you have additional questions about your eligibility to participate in a ceremony.
You will receive instructions from Registration & Records to submit a graduation application, which must be completed for a degree to be awarded.
Contact registrar@butler.edu to confirm your graduation timeline if you believe you are eligible but have not received instructions.
The Graduate Registration form (“Tassle” registration) is a required form sent to eligible students from commencement@butler.edu. It must be completed by the Friday, April 17, deadline, even if you do not plan to attend the ceremony.
Yes. All eligible graduates must complete the registration form by the Friday, April 17, deadline, regardless of whether you plan to attend.
Caps and gowns will be available to purchase starting March 17.
Caps and gowns are available for purchase at the Butler Campus Store or online. No pre-order of caps and gowns is needed; all of the necessary elements will be available. Announcements and rings may be purchased from Jostens online at jostens.com.
To order, or for pricing information, visit the Butler Campus Store (students cannot pay with their Student Account).
Students may wear approved regalia items such as honor cords, a University-approved sash, or a small approved pin, but certain items like corsages or flower leis are not permitted. See “Is there a dress code?” in the general FAQs section.
Graduates must check in 90 minutes before the University Commencement Ceremony at the Efroymson Family Gym, where they will line up by college before processing into Hinkle Fieldhouse.
Graduates are expected to arrive on time since the processional begins promptly; arriving late may disrupt the lineup and ceremony participation, and there is no guarantee that you will be seated.
Graduates and their guests are invited to attend both events, but attendance at both is not mandatory.
At each College Celebration on Saturday, graduates are asked to stand and then are ushered to the stage. As names are announced, graduates cross the stage carrying the diploma they received at check-in and are greeted by their college dean. Graduates earning master’s and doctoral degrees also participate in the traditional hooding on stage during this recognition.
The University Ceremony on Friday is the official occasion at which degrees are conferred. During this event, all graduates collectively move their tassels to signify the formal awarding of their degrees and their graduation from Butler University.
Personal cameras and video cameras will be allowed for Commencement, but guests will not be allowed in the area where the graduates are seated. Please be sensitive to other guests when taking photographs.
GradImages
Butler University contracts with GradImages to photograph each graduate. GradImages is the most experienced company in the graduation photography industry and has provided this service as a specialty for over three decades.
Photos are taken:
- when graduates shake the hand of their college dean
- with graduates in front of a Butler banner
- with graduates in front of a solid background
Pre-register
Graduates can pre-register their email address and GradImages will contact them as their photos are available for online viewing and ordering. Up to six family members’ contact information may be added as well to help share the good news and the photos!
GradImages will notify individuals when proofs are available online, typically within 48 hours of the ceremony.
Any graduate that uses the Pre-Registration link will save 20 percent off orders of $50 or more for participation.
In order to notify you when your images are available, GradImages sends emails and mails paper proofs, along with optional text message notifications. Your information is never shared and privacy is guaranteed. Graduates and their families then have the option to order whatever additional photo package they would like. There is no prepayment or obligation to do so.
If a graduate wishes to order, it can be done by mail, phone, fax, or the GradImages website. GradImages mails to all countries throughout the world. Finished photographs are mailed to the customer within 5–7 days of receipt of an order, which to our knowledge is the fastest turnaround time in the industry.
If questions or additional needs should arise, contact the Customer Service Department at 1-800-261-2576.
Submit requests through Butler’s Event Accommodations process at least two weeks in advance of Commencement.
FAQs for families & guests
Graduates are asked to limit guests to six for Friday’s University Commencement Ceremony and eight for their College Celebration on Saturday due to space limitations.
No. Tickets are not required, but seating is limited and first-come, first-served.
Guests should arrive one hour before the ceremony, when doors open.
Parking is free in the Sunset Avenue Parking Garage and the Hinkle Parking Lot for Friday and Saturday events. The Sunset Avenue Parking Garage is closest to Clowes Memorial Hall.
Yes. Accessible parking, drop-off areas, and seating are available at both venues, though accessible seating is first-come, first-served.
Accessible parking
Hinkle Fieldhouse: A state-issued disability placard or Butler-issued accessible parking permit is required for special parking considerations in the Hinkle Fieldhouse parking lot. Any vehicle may use the 49th Street bus pull-out in front of the Health and Recreation Complex adjacent to Hinkle Fieldhouse to drop off guests who are not able to walk long distances. The bus pull-out is also used by the city’s IndyGo bus system. Please be time-conscious in this area and use it only for immediate pick-up or drop-off. All other parking is available in the Sunset Avenue Parking Garage.
Clowes Memorial Hall: A state-issued disability placard or Butler-issued accessible parking permit is required for special parking considerations in the surface lot behind the Schrott Center and the lower level of the Sunset Avenue Parking Garage. Guests unable to walk long distances can be dropped off at the main doors to Clowes. All other parking is available in the Sunset Avenue Parking Garage.
Accessible seating
Accessible seating is available in both Hinkle Fieldhouse and Clowes Memorial Hall. Guests who require accessible seating are encouraged to arrive early, as seating is first-come, first-served. Ushers will refer guests to the accessible seating areas, and one member of your party will be able to sit with the guest while the remainder of your party will be directed to general seating.
Wheelchair access
Wheelchair access is available in both Hinkle Fieldhouse and Clowes Memorial Hall.
A limited inventory of transport wheelchairs is available inside Hinkle Fieldhouse and Clowes Memorial Hall. Staff will be providing wheelchair assistance (rides) from the lobby to the guest’s seat, either to general seating or accessible seating. These transport services are available on a first-come, first-served basis, and in periods of high demand some guests may have to wait for accommodation.
Guests who may have difficulty walking moderate to long distances or standing in line are strongly encouraged to bring or rent a wheelchair, a walker with a seat, or another personal mobility device.
Auditory assistance
Accommodations for those who are hard of hearing will be provided in the form of live captioning. Live captioning is a service that displays spoken words from the event in real time as text on a screen, allowing individuals with hearing impairments to follow along seamlessly. The event program will feature a link to follow along with captions on a user’s personal phone or device.
Phonic Ear Sound Enhancement is also available to amplify stage dialogue. Guests may pick up their individual receiver at the Information Desk located inside Hinkle Fieldhouse in the South Concourse. A photo ID or credit card will be held as collateral while receiver is in use. Twenty-four receivers will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. Guests may be seated anywhere in Hinkle Fieldhouse to use the Phonic Ear Sound Enhancement receivers.
Service animals
Trained service dogs assisting guests with disabilities are permitted. Service animals must remain on a leash or harness at all times unless the handler’s disability prevents the use of a leash/harness or interferes with the service animal’s safe, effective performance of tasks. In that case, the individual must maintain control of the animal through voice, signal, or other effective controls. The dog will rest in the seating area of the individual with a disability. All other animals are strictly prohibited. Please refer to Butler’s Service Animals Policy for more information.
All Commencement venues are subject to security checks (bag checks, metal detectors, etc.). View the list of prohibited items in the Hinkle Fieldhouse Fan Guide.
Personal photography is permitted, and guests should follow venue guidelines and remain respectful during the ceremony. See “How do I get my graduation photos?” in the student FAQs for more information.
Yes. Both the Friday and Saturday events will be livestreamed via the Commencement page, and recordings are typically available afterward online.
For information about area hotels and campus travel resources for visitors, please visit:
FAQs for faculty & staff
Faculty received an invitation in the spring with instructions on how to indicate participation.
Faculty are welcome to participate in both the main University ceremony and their college’s celebration.
Yes. Academic regalia is required for faculty participation. Additional ordering instructions are provided with the invitation. The deadline for ordering rental regalia from the Campus Bookstore is March 27. Contact m.west@follett.com with any questions.
One hour before start time. For Friday that means 3:30 PM; for each College Celebration you will receive specific reporting instructions by email the Monday of Commencement Weekend.
Faculty may use the parking available in campus lots and the Sunset Avenue Parking Garage during Commencement events.
Faculty can contact commencement@butler.edu for additional information.