Graduation Info - Ivy Tech Community College

Congratulations!

As you prepare for graduation in May, we are pleased to commend your success as you represent the reason the College exists—to produce well-prepared graduates to enter the world of work or to transfer to a four-year college.

We are so excited for you. Thank you for including Ivy Tech Indianapolis in your academic journey!

May 2025 nursing pinning ceremony

Date: Thursday, May 1, 2025 (9:00 a.m.)

Where: Ivy Tech Conference Center & Culinary Institute, 2820 N. Meridian Street, Indianapolis, IN 46208

_________________________________________

May 2025 Commencement

Date: Thursday, May 1, 2025 (2:00 p.m.)

Where: Indiana Farmers Coliseum, 1202 East 38th Street, Indianapolis, IN 46205

Common Questions

Graduation is when a student completes all requirements of their degree and is awarded a credential.
Commencement is the ceremony that celebrates graduation.

What is the difference between "graduation" and "commencement?"

Each graduate receives up to four (4) guest tickets.

Congratulations once again on reaching this milestone on your journey towards graduation and Commencement on Thursday, May 1!

Below are the dates and times for guest ticket distribution. Students who are walking will NOT need a ticket.

Please bring your ID and C# for pick-up.

*Tickets will be secured through RSVPing yes to walk at commencement through the Tassel website.

Grad Fair:

A fun-filled day awaits you at the Grad Fair! Plus, guest tickets will be distributed for all students registered on Tassel/RSVP'd yes to participating in the Commencement ceremony. You must bring a student ID, driver’s license, or state ID to pick up guest tickets (max of 4). Only the student can pick up their four (4) guest tickets. The student walking will not need a ticket.

Date: Wednesday, April 23, 2025
Time: 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Location: North Meridian Campus (NMC 438)

____________________________________________________________

Commencement Ticket Distribution (for guests): Guest tickets will only be distributed to students registered on Tassel/RSVP'd yes to participating in the Commencement ceremony. You must bring a student ID, driver’s license, or state ID to pick up guest tickets. The student walking will not need a ticket. Only the student can pick up their 4 guest tickets.

Lawrence Campus: (Room F137)
Date: Thursday, April 24, 2025 & Monday, April 28, 2025
Time: 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

______________________

Indy Campus: (Pick up at the Registrar's Office - 50 W. Fall Creek Pkwy N. Drive)
Date: Monday, April 28, 2025 - Wednesday, April 30, 2025
Time: 8:00 a.m.- 5:00 p.m.

*Tickets can only be picked up by you, the student walking. If you cannot make any of the dates and times listed above, tickets can be picked up at Will Call at the Indiana Coliseum on May 1 at Commencement before the ceremony begins.

How many guests can I invite?

Cap and gown (also known as regalia) are required to participate in the Commencement Ceremony. Cap Decoration Rules

Click here to order your cap and gown (and optional items such as Gradpacks, rings, announcements, and frames)

IMPORTANT DEADLINES:

Ship to the bookstore (You will pick up your cap and gown from the bookstore prior to commencement)

March 15, 2024

Home-ship (Your cap and gown will be shipped to your home address within two (2) weeks, *S/H and tax are not included in the cap and down price.)

1st deadline: April 5, 2024
2nd deadline: April 17, 2024

______________________________________

Download the below image as a PDF.

Herff Jones - Ivy Tech Indianapolis Graduation Packages 2024

How do I order my cap and gown (regalia) and what is the cost?

Once you receive your regalia, please take it out of the bag and hang it up. Please steam it or iron it in advance of the ceremony, so that you look amazing for Commencement and pictures.

How should I prep/care for my regalia?

Before arriving, be sure you have taken your cap and gown out of the bag and either pressed it with an iron or steamed it to get the wrinkles out.
You should arrive in your cap and gown over business casual attire with comfortable shoes (no jeans, shorts, or flip-flops). Be mindful of the temperature as you make your clothing decisions. All clothing, even under the regalia, should be appropriate to the situation.

Please note: There is no place to keep personal belongings during the ceremony!

What should I wear (under my cap and gown)?

Cap Decorating Rules

Please take into consideration the following rules when decorating your cap for the commencement ceremony.

Failure to follow these rules will result in the removal of the cap at the ceremony.

Graduates WILL NOT be allowed to participate in the ceremony without a cap and gown.

Only the flat, top area of the mortar board may be decorated.
- There may be nothing hanging down from any of the sides of the cap.
Decorations must be flat on the surface of the cap.
- 3-D creations may be no higher than 1”.
The tassel must be able to be moved from one side to the other, as dictated during the ceremony.
Graduation caps will be reviewed and approved in advance of the ceremony.

UNACCEPTABLE decorations:

• Contain any advertisement, symbols, abbreviations, initials, words, slogans, patches, or pictures that:

Refer to drugs or controlled substances, tobacco, alcohol, or weapons or be of a sexual nature

and/or denotes an affiliation with gangs which advocate drug use, violence, illegal activity, or

disruptive behavior which is detrimental to the safety and welfare of other graduates, staff,

faculty and/or guests.

• Be obscene, profane, vulgar, or lewd.

• Include numbers other than the graduation year.

• Threaten the safety and welfare of any person.

ACCEPTABLE decorations:

• Thank a parent, grandparent, friend or instructor.

• Recognize the college, school, program or career.

• The graduation year.

• The branch of the military the graduate is affiliated with.

• The home country’s flag of the graduate.

Can I decorate my cap?

Graduate Check-in
- Graduates can arrive as early as 12:00 p.m., but NO LATER than 1:00 p.m.
- Proceed to Champions Hall where you will enter through security and be assisted with check-in by our registration staff.
- At check-in, you will receive your name card for the reading of your name during the ceremony.That card helps us get you lined up for commencement by school/program.
- Honor cords for any of the honor designations will be given to you at check-in.
________________________________________________________________________

Processional Line-Up:
- This will begin at 1:00 p.m. Once you are lined up, we will ask you to remain in line until we start our procession into the Coliseum.
- There will be two lines processing in at the same time. Please stay alert and follow directions provided by event marshals.
- Graduates will go up on stage one row at a time.
- You will hand your card to a designated event ambassador as you approach the stage.
- When your name is read, you will proceed across the stage toward the Chancellor.
- You will shake with your right hand and hold your diploma cover with your left hand.
- There will be photos taken on stage and off stage.
- Once finished with the posed, post-stage photo taking, you will return to the row and seat you were previously in.

What happens prior to the ceremony?

Graduate Check-in

Graduates can arrive as early as 12:00 p.m., but NO LATER than 1:00 p.m.
Proceed to Champions Hall where you will enter through security and be assisted with check-in by our registration staff.
At check-in, you will receive your name card for the reading of your name during the ceremony.That card helps us get you lined up for commencement by school/program.
Honor cords for any of the honor designations will be given to you at check-in.

Processional Line-Up:

This will begin at 1:00 p.m. Once you are lined up, we will ask you to remain in line until we start our procession into the Coliseum.
There will be two lines processing in at the same time. Please stay alert and follow directions provided by event marshals.
Graduates will go up on stage one row at a time.
You will hand your card to a designated event ambassador as you approach the stage.
When your name is read, you will proceed across the stage toward the Chancellor.
You will shake with your right hand and hold your diploma cover with your left hand.
There will be photos taken on stage and off stage.
Once finished with the posed, post-stage photo taking, you will return to the row and seat you were previously in.

Ceremony Details

The ceremony will last approximately three (3) hours.

What time do graduates need to arrive?

Guests may start arriving at 12:30 p.m.

What time do the doors open for commencement (when can guests arrive)?

Do not bring purses, bags, or other items that interfere with your ability to walk across the stage, grab/hold your diploma cover, and shake hands. Items of value should not be brought with you.

We recommend you leave everything in the car except what you absolutely need, as there is no place to lock up valuables and you cannot carry bags or purses onto the commencement floor.

Please bring your cell phone as there will be lots of opportunities for fun selfies throughout the day. We will ask you to leave your phone on your chair when you go up to the stage as you will need two hands to receive your degree cover and shake the Chancellor’s hand.

What should I NOT bring with me to commencement?

Yes, for extended periods including up and down ramps. If you need accommodations, contact DSS prior to the day of the ceremony at Indianapolis-dss@ivytech.edu

Handicap-accessible seating is available on the ground level of the Coliseum Arena for guests. See a Coliseum usher upon arrival.

Is there a lot of standing/walking?

Student announcements, rings, and frames: https://colleges.herffjones.com/college/ivytech/Indianapolis.html

How can I order graduation announcements?

Did you know some of the resources available to you as an Ivy Tech student don’t stop after graduation?

The Ivy Tech Alumni Community provides a lifelong connection between alumni and the College. Alumni are encouraged to get connected, share their stories, and celebrate their success. Our mission is to build connections between alumni and Ivy Tech Community College that result in enduring relationships, lifelong pride, and a system of support across Indiana.

Our community connects 500,000 alumni from more than 40 Ivy Tech campuses and sites throughout Indiana. The Ivy Tech Alumni Community provides countless opportunities to remain connected to the College and classmates through an expanding list of exclusive benefits, programs, resources, and events both in your community and across the state.

Learn more >> https://giving.ivytech.edu/alumni/

What resources will be available to me after graduation (as an alumni)?

For friends and family who cannot attend in person, a live stream of the Nursing Pinning Ceremony and the all-school ceremony will be available. These links can be shared with anyone who wishes to watch the events online. We will also have closed-captioned (CC) live streams for those who need them.

9:00 a.m. Nursing Pinning Ceremony

https://ivytech.zoom.us/j/96362615265

2025 Nursing Pinning Ceremony livestream

CC - 9:00 a.m. Nursing Pinning Ceremony

https://mp.habitatlearn.com/documents/72c67528-51ce-48ed-a87d-e763c250eb93

2025 Nursing Pinning Ceremony CC

___________________________________________________

2:00 p.m. All-School Ceremony

https://www.youtube.com/live/MvywJSQ__2g?si=swfQJGWFb3jjJZRT

2025 Commencement Ceremony livestream

CC - 2:00 p.m. All-School Ceremony

https://mp.habitatlearn.com/documents/b47a0d52-4fd8-482b-8cec-d18c71d74fda

Will the ceremonies be livestreamed?

Ample seating is available for guests in the arena who have accessible seating needs. If you are a graduate and you require specific accommodations, please contact Disability Support Services, Indianapolis-dss@ivytech.edu as soon as possible. A sign language interpreter, as well as live captioning, will be provided for both events.

ADA info/questions

Parking is complimentary, and you and your guests will not need a pass.
Graduates and their guests should enter through Parking Gate 1 or 6 (see attached map) which will direct you to the infield parking area.
You will walk through the tunnel from there to Champions Hall (graduates) and the Coliseum (guests).

Click here for a PDF that you can print out.

Commencement parking at IN State Fairgrounds

Where is parking at the fairgrounds and does it cost?

The Grad Team will be on site with professional photographers to capture you on your big day! They will take individual, action photos as you accept your degree (cover)/shake hands, and then there is an opportunity for posed photos as you exit the stage. These photos will be available online to view and order approximately a week after Commencement.

Each graduate will receive an essential card upon check-in at Champions Hall. This card must be handed to designated Ivy Tech employees who will scan it before you walk across the stage for your name to be read and posted on the large JumboTron.

On the back side of these cards, there will be information and a link for registering on The Grad Team's website to order photos.

Or you can pre-register before the ceremony at: https://www.gradphotonetwork.com/qpplus/register/primary/event/67647/27264148

QR code for ordering Commencement photos

Will there be photographers at commencement?

You must meet the deadline of applying to graduate which is April 1.

How can I ensure my name appears in the commencement program?

Costs

Payments

Indianapolis Campus

Graduation & Commencement Information

Congratulations!

May 2025 nursing pinning ceremony

_________________________________________

May 2025 Commencement

Prepare for Graduation

Everything You Need To Know

Where to Order:

CAP & GOWN DEADLINES:

Nursing Pinning Ceremony

Grad Fair/ Guest Ticket Distribution

May 2025 Commencement

Luke Miller

9:00 a.m. Nursing Pinning Ceremony

CC - 9:00 a.m. Nursing Pinning Ceremony

2:00 p.m. All-School Ceremony

CC - 2:00 p.m. All-School Ceremony

Common Questions

Each graduate receives up to four (4) guest tickets.

9:00 a.m. Nursing Pinning Ceremony

CC - 9:00 a.m. Nursing Pinning Ceremony

2:00 p.m. All-School Ceremony

CC - 2:00 p.m. All-School Ceremony