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Caltech
Inauguration

The following information applies to those marching in the processional. Ceremony processional participants include Caltech faculty, trustees, and student representatives and delegates from other institutions and learned societies.

Inauguration Ceremony Event Site Map (Coming soon)

Dress

Processional participants should be dressed in academic regalia.

Caltech faculty, Distinguished Alumni Award recipients, and members of the Alumni Association board of directors may order regalia through the Caltech Store. You will receive instructions via email.

University delegates are expected to bring their own regalia.

Regalia orders begin on August 10, 2026. Please note that all regalia orders must be submitted no later than Friday, August 28, to ensure the timely arrival of other universities' hoods.

Caps, gowns, tassels, and hoods can be picked up at the Caltech Store (inside the Hameetman Center) between Monday, October 19, and Wednesday, October 28. On Inauguration day, please pick up your regalia in your marshaling area between 7 and 9:30 a.m.

Marshaling

Participants in the processional will line up in the following areas:

  • Nobel and Crafoord laureates: covered walkway south of Dabney Hall
  • Distinguished Alumni Award recipients and Alumni Association board of directors: covered walkway south of Parsons-Gates
  • Delegates from academic institutions: covered walkway north of Linde Hall
  • Delegates from learned societies: covered walkway north of Bridge
  • Faculty and division chairs: Dabney Garden
  • Student representatives: Caltech Hall North Lawn
  • Other members of the platform party: Caltech Hall Board Room

Caltech Store staff will be available to help with robing.

Following the ceremony, rental regalia needs to be returned to the appropriate marshaling area or the Caltech Store.

Caltech staff will be present to coordinate the assembly of the academic procession.

Processional

Each processional participant should be in cap and gown, prepared to march, no later than 9:30 a.m. on October 29. The Inauguration Ceremony begins promptly at 10 a.m.

Delegates march in chronological order according to the founding dates of their respective institutions. The marching order will be posted in the marshaling area. The marshals for the delegates will lead them through the academic procession and to seats in the delegate area.

Please be aware that we will be livestreaming and recording the entire Inauguration Ceremony. Participants seated on the platform may be visible in the livestream.

End of Ceremony

Following the alma mater, the recessional march will begin. The platform party will march out first, with other participants following from the front of the seating area to the back.