Caps, Gowns and Attire

Academic attire is required for the commencement ceremony All graduates should wear gowns and hoods appropriate for their degree. A friend’s or relative’s gown will not work unless the attire meets the exact requirements for each degree.

• Additional ornamentation: Honor medallions are worn only by those students graduating in the University Honors Program (medallions are provided at the ceremony.) Students can wear honor cords for being awarded Latin honors (Summa, Magna and Cum Laude) for Bachelor’s degree students and the Doctoral Pharmacy students. Academic honor cords or pins may be worn if earned from a Drake college or school recognized academic organization. Leadership of the particular academic organization will inform the President’s Committee on Commencement (PCC) of the academic honor item.
• Registered Student Organizations (R.S.O.) may propose an organizational stole to the Office of Student Inclusion, Involvement, and Leadership (S.I.I.L.). The stole will express cultural expression and identity expression appropriate for the R.S.O. The S.I.I.L. Office will inform the President's Committee on Commencement (P.C.C.) of the requested stole design. The P.C.C. needs to review and approve the stole to be worn, which is then subject to approval by the University President. The R.S.O. must be in good standing with the University at the time of the Commencement Ceremony. The stole design and intent must align with the Mission, Vision, and Non-Discrimination Statement of the University. Students may wear only one stole per ceremony.
• Any additional ornamentation must receive prior approval by the President's Committee on Commencement (PCC).
• Note that decorated caps are not permitted.

All Regalia orders are due by Sunday, March 12.

Gown orders can be placed here: https://www.jostens.com/apps/store/customer/1071907/Drake-University/

Bookstore Cap and Gown Pricing 

Associate/Bachelor Set*     $40
Master Set* & hood           $77 

Hood Only                          $33
Doctoral Set** & hood       $139

*set includes Cap, gown and tassel
**Doctoral set includes tam, gown and tassel 

Each student will receive a tassel of appropriate color based upon their degree within their school or college. Students with two degrees may purchase the extra tassel, but only one tassel may be worn during the ceremony.  

The colors associated with the different disciplines are as follows: 

• Journalism - Crimson 
• Philosophy - Dark Blue 
• Arts, Letters General Studies - White 
• Law - Purple 
• Physical Education - Sage Green 
• Business and Commerce - Drab 
• Public Administration - Peacock Blue 
• Occupational Therapy - Slate 
• Science - Golden Yellow 
• Education - Light Blue 
• Music - Pink 
• Social Work - Citron 
• Fine Arts - Brown 
• Pharmacy - Olive Green 

Grad Fair will be held April 19th at the bookstore from 10am-4pm. This is the first day available to pick up attire in-person and visit with representatives showcasing announcements and class rings. If you cannot attend the grad fair or pick up in-person any time after, please purchase online here, even if you reserved attire earlier or contact the bookstore at 515-274-3401. *Jostens web reservation is an attire placeholder. You will pay via the bookstore.