Commencement Details

Friday, May 9 University Commencement Ceremony

90 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 the Howard L. Schrott Center for the Arts. 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

At each college celebration, the graduates are asked to stand and are ushered to the stage where their college dean presents the degrees while names are read. Graduates then cross the stage, receive their diplomas, and return to their seats in the reserved area. Graduates receiving master’s and doctoral degrees are hooded on stage as they receive their diploma.

Candidates for associate’s, bachelor’s, master’s, specialist in education, and doctor of pharmacy degrees are invited to participate in the Commencement exercises.

A degree application must be submitted online at my.butler.edu in the Student Center. On the “Other Academics” tab, choose the Apply for Graduation option and click on the Apply for Graduation link. Select the term you will complete all requirements, click on Continue, and then click on Submit Application.

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 the Schrott Center for the Arts.

• 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).

International Sashes

The Office of International Student Services will begin taking international sash orders for the May 2025 graduation on February 10, 2025. If you are a graduating international student, a study abroad student, or just desire to represent your cultural heritage, you are encouraged to order an international sash to wear during your graduation ceremony. You must be graduating either December 2024 or May 2025 to place a sash order.  Sahes must be picked up from the Office of International Student Services, Jordan Hall Room 133D.  They will not be mailed. If you cannot pick up your sash personally, you may arrange for a proxy to collect it for you.
Single and dual country sashes are available; the cost is $52 and $62, respectively, and must be paid by credit card. Information for ordering can be found by email sent from Registration and Records or the Office of International Student Services located in the Center for Global Education.

All orders must be submitted by March 31, 2025. Each sash is handcrafted therefore, orders must be placed as soon as possible to ensure delivery for the May 9, 2025 graduation date. This is a firm deadline.

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 10, and remain open until April 4. Each eligible candidate will receive an email invitation from commencement@butler.edu, and must complete the registration form by Friday, April 4, regardless of intention to participate in the University Commencement Ceremony and College Celebration.

Candidates who do not successfully complete the form by the April 4 deadline will not be able to participate in the in-person events, nor will their name be listed in the program.

For questions, please contact commencement@butler.edu.

The invitation to faculty to participate in commencement 2025 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.

View directions to campus.

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 students to request disability-related accommodations or inquire about accessibility visit the Disability-Related Accommodations for Butler Events 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, please contact commencement.

Accessible Parking

A state-issued disability placard or Butler issued accessible parking permit is required for special parking considerations in the Hinkle Fieldhouse parking lot (graduates must note this request at time of registration for the ceremony). Any vehicle may use the 49th street bus pull-out in front of the Health and Recreation Center 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.

Wheelchair Accessibility

Wheelchair access is available throughout Hinkle Fieldhouse by entering Gates 1, 2, 3, and 4. Ushers will refer guests to the wheelchair accessible seating areas. One companion will be permitted to sit with the wheelchair user.

Auditory Assistance

Accommodations for those who are hearing impaired will be provided in the form of an American Sign Language interpreter. We can provide reserved seating for individual and a companion.Graduates may note this need on the Spring Commencement registration form. Then graduates will receive a separate communication from the University vender, Marching Order, with these instructions.

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. 24 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.

Email commencement@butler.edu with any questions.

On Commencement Day, if an emergency causes a graduating student to be late, please call the Commencement Information Desk at 317-940-9697 to notify Registration and Records. Upon arrival at Hinkle Fieldhouse, please report to the Commencement Information Desk located in the main south concourse of Hinkle Fieldhouse.

Should an emergency arise to prevent you from attending Commencement, please call the Office of Registration and Records, Monday through Friday at 317-940-9203. On Commencement Day, please call the Commencement Information desk at 317-940-9697.

Emergency Medical Technicians will be located in the Fischer Sports Medicine Office the day of Commencement.

For more information on emergency occurrences, please visit BUPD Emergency Preparedness.

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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 to receive their diploma
• 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% off of 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. Forms of payment include cash, check, Money Order, Visa, MasterCard, Discover Card, or American Express. 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 2025 College Celebration will host a speaker or speakers unique to its college.

More information will be distributed by each college about the selection process.