Congratulations Graduates!

Ordering: Graduation caps and gowns were ordered when you completed your graduation application.

Regalia Pick Up: Graduation regalia will be available for pickup one week before graduation. Please plan to pick yours up. Note: All student accounts must be paid in full before graduation regalia can be picked up.

Instructions: We recommend trying your gown on and hanging it up before the day. Undergraduates should wear their tassel on the right side and graduate students should wear their tassel on the left side before the ceremony. Graduates will then be instructed to move the tassel to the opposite side to indicate that the wearer has passed from one level of learning to another. Students are allowed to decorate their cap if they so choose.

Franciscan Service Cord: As a Catholic Franciscan institution, we are committed to instilling the value of service to others in our students. All students are required to do 80 hours of service during their undergraduate experience or 20 hours of service per year according to the academic catalog. In keeping with the spirit of valuing service, Briar Cliff University offers a silver cord of recognition for students who go beyond the graduation requirement. Students who complete 100 hours of service or more will be awarded with a service honor cord to be worn at commencement. 

Submit Your Hours

Receive Your Military Service Cord: 

This red, white, and blue cord honors active or veteran students graduating. All graduating students who are eligible should indicate on their application to graduate or contact the registrar.

Contact Us

Honors Student Cord: Students graduating with academic honors will receive an honor cord. Those who qualify will be determined by the registrar throughout the verification of degree process. 

Toast to the Tassel is a send-off event held in honor of our graduates. This year's event will be open to graduating seniors, BCU employees, and award recipients and their families.

Add To Your Calendar

Baccalaureate Mass celebrates the University's graduating class. This mass is open to our graduates and their guests. We hope you can join us for this unique opportunity to gather together as the Cliff community and celebrate yet another wonderful year of graduates. 

Add To Your Calendar 

Parking - Parking on the street and most parking ramps are free on the weekends. Parking ramps are joined by the skywalk system.

Guests - Doors will open at 8:00 AM. The ceremony will start promptly at 10:00 AM, please use the main entrance on the west side of the building under the marquee. 

Graduates, Faculty, and Administration - Doors will open at 8:00 AM, please plan to arrive before 9:15 AM wearing your regalia. Graduates should not bring purses or other valuables, there is no secure storage for valuables during the ceremony. We recommend having family or friends keep all valuables during the ceremony. To enter, please use the main entrance on the west side of the building under the marquee. Check in at the table in the lobby and the volunteer there will provide you instructions on where to report. 

Board of Trustees and Award Recipients - You will have special reserved seating. Please arrive anytime after 8:00 AM using the main entrance on the west side of the building under the marquee. Check in at the table in the lobby and the volunteer there will provide you instructions on where to report.

We know how much hard work went into earning this degree and we want to make sure you can celebrate this accomplishment with all of your loved ones. If you want to see someone make that exciting walk across the stage but cannot attend, we've got you covered. We will be livestreaming the ceremony here on the day of commencement. We don't want anyone to miss their loved one's big day. 

If you are planning to attend this year's graduation festivities and are traveling from out of town, the following area hotels offer a Briar Cliff discount. Please ask the front desk about it upon making a reservation. 

• The Warrior

• Comfort Inn, Sioux City, IA

• Wingate by Wyndham, Sioux City, IA

The Cliff Shop has a wide variety of swag for every graduate from sweatshirts to license plate covers, and car stickers to BCU frames and diploma frames. Stop by The POD or custom order your first piece of alumni gear online. 

Order Your Alumni Gear

Interested in a custom frame, class ring, or other commemorative items? 

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Pictures will be taken at the ceremony that will show each graduate receiving their diploma. If you are interested in purchasing these pictures, please keep an eye on your personal and BCU emails. Instructions will be sent from Ceremony Photos when the proofs are ready.