IU Bloomington Cap Decorating Contest

IU Bloomington Winter Grad Cap Decorating Contest

A young woman sports a lavishly decorated mortarboard proclaiming in cursive type "best derby hat," a reference to the ostentatious millinery typically worn by women attending the United State's annual Kentucky Derby horse race.

IU Bloomington winter grads—get creative and get involved in the graduation cap decorating contest!

Your IU experience is unique, so let it show in your cap decorations. This fun tradition has long been a part of IU Commencement and gives you a chance to show your personality. Plus, it’s a helpful way for friends and family to spot you in the crowd.

Prizes

A variety of prize packs of IU Swag with an approximate retail value up to $300.
Prizes will be mailed to the winners.

How to enter

How to enter:

Take a photo of your decorated graduation cap (mortarboard). Horizontal photos work best.
Post it to your Instagram or X (formerly Twitter) account—remember to make it public so we can find it.
Tag your post with #IUBGradCap25 and #IUBGrad25.
Follow the contest on Instagram and X (formerly Twitter).

Contest Rules:

All IU Bloomington 2025 fall graduates are welcome to participate.
Entries open at 12:00 a.m. on Sunday, December 7, and close at 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, December 21.
Only one submission will be accepted per graduate.
Photos with two or more people will not be eligible for prizes but may be shared on IU’s social media accounts.
Entries must be entirely original, created, and submitted by the graduate and may not violate any third-party rights. Cap entries that have been submitted to previous contests will not be considered.
Please keep your submissions in good taste. Offensive or disrespectful submissions will not be considered for prizes.

Contest Judging:

Winners will be announced on our Instagram and X (formerly Twitter) accounts, this website, and by direct message.
Winners will be selected by representatives of the Commencement team.

We can’t wait to see your creative entries!

Need some inspiration? Past entries:

Disclaimer:

This contest is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Instagram or X (formerly Twitter). These social media platforms are released of all liability by each entrant in this contest. As a participant in this contest, you authorize the Trustees of Indiana University (“IU”), acting through its agents, an unlimited right to reproduce, use, exhibit, display, perform, broadcast, create derivative works from, and distribute the images in any manner or media now existing or hereafter developed, in perpetuity, throughout the world. You agree that the images may be used by IU, including its assigns and transferees, for any purpose, including but not limited to: marketing, advertising, publicity, or other promotional purposes and release and fully discharge IU, from any claim, damages, or liability arising from or related to your participation.