Cap and gown ordering and distribution
Ordering your cap and gown
All graduates for this academic year (December 2024 and May or August 2025) should have received an email in November from the Registrar's Office with ordering instructions to purchase their cap, gown and tassel from Jostens, the University’s official regalia vendor, via the Campus Store website.
All graduating seniors and adult degree program students must secure their Commencement regalia (i.e., cap, gown and tassel) in order to participate in the Commencement ceremony. Students must order their regalia no later than MARCH 25, 2025 to participate in Commencement. Additional questions about ordering regalia may be directed to the Campus Store at campusstore@messiah.edu.
- On-campus delivery option: Regalia will be shipped to Messiah University in late-April. Graduates will receive an email notification to pick up their regalia at the Campus Store during regular business hours. Note: there is no shipping fee for this delivery option.
- Ship-to-home option: Students who prefer to have their regalia shipped directly to their home may choose to do so and should supply a valid mailing address when placing their order. Note: shipping charges will apply for this delivery option and shipping will occur approximately three weeks after placing your order. If your address has changed, or you anticipate a change in the months ahead, please report this to the Registrar’s Office by completing the online form.
- Upon pick-up/receipt: Make sure that your regalia fits appropriately and confirm that the tassel color is correct. Contact the Campus Store or the Registrar’s Office with problems immediately so there is time to make corrections.
Tassels
Graduates' tassel colors coordinate with their degree type. Bachelor of Arts students wear a white tassel; Bachelor of Science students wear a gold tassel. All other undergraduate students wear gold. A double-major graduate will receive one tassel associated with their primary major/degree. Dual degree students have the option to order/purchase a second tassel ala carte to correspond with their additional degree.
FAQ re: cap and gown ordering
Below are the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions we hear about Commencement caps and gowns:
Q: May I borrow a Messiah alum's cap and gown instead of ordering my own?
A: If you are graduating in the 2025 undergraduate commencement ceremony, you may ONLY borrow a cap and gown from a 2024 Messiah graduate (undergraduate ceremony only, NOT a cap or gown from the School of Graduate and Professional Studies ceremony). The university began using a new regalia supplier in 2024 for its undergraduate commencement ceremony so no other cap and gown will ensure an identical and consistent appearance for all graduates.
NOTE: in order to participate in the commencement ceremony, all graduates are required to have the gown, cap and tassel that are found on the Jostens website here. So, if you are borrowing an undergraduate cap and gown from a 2024 Messiah undergraduate, you will still need to purchase a 2025 tassel that corresponds to your specific degree type (select the “Dual Degree” tassel to purchase separately).
Q: Where do I go to purchase my cap and gown?
A: Please visit the Campus Store Regalia website.
Q: What color tassel do I need to purchase?
A: Bachelor of Arts degree = White, Bachelor of Science and all other degrees = Gold
Q: I selected the ‘Ship to Campus’ option. When will my cap and gown be ready for pick-up? How will I know when to pick them up?
A: For students who selected the ‘Ship to Campus’ option, gowns are expected to arrive to campus in late April. You will receive an email notification from the Campus Store when your cap and gown are ready for pick up.