Commencement Essentials by GraduationSource

Commencement Essentials

Middle School, High School, Collegiate and Faculty Regalia

Outfitting Students

Since 1960

Dear Graduation Coordinators and Educators,

Graduation is not merely an event; it's a monumental milestone in every student's life. It marks the successful conclusion of a significant chapter and the exciting commencement of another. At GraduationSource, we deeply understand the importance of this moment and are fully dedicated to ensuring that your graduation day is as special and seamless as possible.

With a comprehensive array of resources and an experienced team, we aim to support every student on this momentous journey. We are your steadfast partner in this

process, committed to alleviating the stress of planning so that you can focus on celebrating your accomplishments.

Whether you are just ordering your organization’s caps and gowns, or organizing the entire ceremony, our promise to you is to provide quality products and stellar customer service every step of the way.

Matthew Gordon President and CEO

Terri’sGuide

to stress-free graduation planning.

5 easy ways to simplify your regalia ordering process today:

1

Start Early! Start speaking with your vendors at least 10 months in advance. Nothing feels better than getting ahead of graduation. Allow yourself time to measure your students head to toe, make sure everything fits, and allow time for size exchanges if needed.

Let’s face it — planning graduation is no easy feat. Finding a venue that can accommodate all attendees, choosing a date, and coordinating technical aspects often require months of preparation to ensure a smooth ceremony. Our fabulous Art Director and Sales Representative, Terri, has used her 15 years of experience working with coordinators to create this guide that will ensure ordering regalia is always the easiest part of planning graduation! 2

Automate as much as you can. Save time by taking advantage of technology and using a GraduationSource Student Ordering Portal to collect orders for regalia and spirit wear. 3 4

Packages are the way to go. Don’t waste your time ordering products individually when you can cross all of them off your list with one click.

Don’t freak out, just reach out. We understand there are so many moving parts to a graduation ceremony, so we’re prepared to create the unique ordering and shipping experience your organization may need. 5

Never forget the true meaning of Graduation! The event you’re organizing will be the most important day of some people’s lives. Have fun while planning and don’t forget to pat yourself on the back when it’s all over!

TheCla iccollection

Gown colors from left to right: shiny and matte maroon, shiny and matte red, shiny and matte orange, shiny and matte gold, shiny and matte emerald, shiny and matte forest, shiny and matte royal, shiny and matte navy, shiny and matte purple, shiny silver, matte white, shiny, and matte black.

Matte and shiny caps & gowns available in 16 colors, perfect for any high school or collegiate ceremony.

Scan for a free sample.

Get Ahead of Gradu ion

Our packages make it super easy to order all of the essentials at once. Not only can you provide your graduates with their basic regalia, but you’re giving them memoribilia that will be cherished as they move through life. These cost effective packages are affordable enough for one-time use but durable enough to be reused several times.

My biggest piece of advice to all our customers is to prepare for graduation at least 10 months ahead of time to guarante a smooth ceremony.

JUST THE ESSENTIALS...

Cap, Gown & Tassel

- Cynthia L. Customer Care Representative

Celebrating 9 happy years wtih GraduationSource

Products featured in photo include Matte Gold and Matte Navy Cap, Gown and Tassel Packages, Custom Diploma Covers, White Honor Cords, and Plain Gold Stoles.

Products featured include Custom Embroidered Stole, Gold Double Honor Chord, Matte Black Cap and Gown Package with 2 Color Tassel.

HOW THE GRAD STOLE THE SHOW

Recognize each student’s hard-earned achievements and add a splash of color to the crowd with a custom stole. From satin to woven, embroidered and imprinted, if you can dream it, we can design it.

HISTORY OF Gradu ion

by Tara Albi

Graduation Caps and Gowns have been worn for centuries, and their history can be traced back to medieval Europe. The significance of the hood dates back to Celtic Groups and Druid priests who wore capes with hoods that symbol higher intelligence and superiority. The first recognized schools that officiated graduation attire were Oxford and Cambridge.

Over time, as universities structured and differentiated, so did the gowns, with styles and colors representing different academic achievements and fields of study. By the 16th century, academic dress became formalized, with universities setting specific rules for attire. Doctoral gowns, reflecting the highest academic achievement, were typically the most elaborate.

After the Civil War, academic regalia was reserved strictly for graduation. For that reason, the cap and gown symbolize recognition and achievement. Until the 1950s, graduation caps and gowns were typically gray in the USA. Since color photos were expensive and uncommon until the 1960s, most graduation shots were still in black and white. In conclusion, the cap and gown tradition has been alive and evolving for centuries and will always remain an important part of one’s academic experience.

The graduation hat has changed throughout the centuries and with many variations. The most prevalent style is the mortarboard cap, which pairs with standard graduation gowns. These caps are believed to have been developed in the 15th century evolving from hats known as birettas used by Catholic clerics, scholars, and professors.

The tradition was carried to the United States in the 19th century, leading to the establishment of the Intercollegiate Code in 1895 to standardize academic attire. The doctoral gown was specified to have velvet panels and three velvet bars on the sleeves. Today, these gowns, often worn at graduation ceremonies and formal academic events, continue to symbolize the prestige and solemnity of the degree. The design details, including color and velvet trim, usually represent the university or the field of study, although specifics can vary by institution and country.

The University of Paris in the 14th and 16th century

Andrea Mantegna in 1474

Linus Pauling in 1922

Toccoa Falls College in North Carolina-Graduating class of 1955

Products featured include Deluxe Graduation Cap, 3-Color Tassel, Premium Masters Gown, and Premium Masters Hood.

GET THE LOOK, PROTECT THE LOOK.

Deluxe Garment Bag

Graduation Tam with Bullion Tassel

Premium Doctoral Hood

Elite Doctorate Gown with Custom Colors & Embroidery

WELCOME TO OUR HOOD

Take a look inside! No matter the level of schooling, the graduation hood is an accessory that’s unique to each student and is designed to convey that individual’s rank, discipline, and achievements. At GraduationSource, we have graduation gowns and hoods available for all levels of schooling.

PINK SCARLET

SALMON PINK ORANGE

CITRON APRICOT

COPPER GOLD YELLOW

RUSSET MAIZE

CRIMSON LEMON

The opening of each graduation hood has a high-quality velveteen trim that sits over the shoulders and drapes down the back of the graduate. Knowing which color hood velvet to choose for you degree type is key to completing your graduation ensemble.

SAGE GREEN

KELLY GREEN

OLIVE GREEN

LIGHT BLUE

PEACOCK BLUE

DARK BLUE

PURPLE

DRAB

GRAY

SILVER WHITE

LILAC

Color

Scan for a free diploma cover mock-up.

Best Friend

Graduates don’t get to take many tangible items home with them. The few items they bring will be cherished forever. Make sure they have some extra keepsakes to remember their special day.

5 WAYS TO REPURPOSE TASSELS:

1. Bookmark: Convert the tassel into a bookmark, serving as a daily reminder of your achievement when reading.

2. Jewelry: Craft the tassel into a pendant for a necklace or a decorative element for a keychain.

3. Home Decor: Incorporate the tassel into home accents, whether as part of a wall hanging, a unique dream catcher, or a festive Christmas ornament.

4. Car Charm: Dangle the tassel from your car's rearview mirror, adding a personal touch to your vehicle.

5. Memory Keepsake: Embed the tassel in a scrapbook page dedicated to graduation memories or showcase it in a shadow box with other keepsakes.

FROM CONNECTICUT, W h Compa ion

When Matthew took over the company, he knew the best way to run a customer-centric business was to focus on the individual success of each of his employees. Here are his thoughts about how the company’s Core Values came to be.

Be Curious, Open-Minded & ExponentialThat’s how we roll!

Matt: “We want to encourage our employees to be curious, open-minded, and exponential in the workplace because it allows our organization to continuously learn, adapt, and innovate. It helps foster our culture of creativity and exploration, where new ideas and perspectives are welcomed and encouraged.”

Customers: The Center of Our UniverseBuild lasting relationships & Great experiences.

Matt: “As a family owned and operated organization, we have the advantage of being able to put our customers first and create meaningful professional relationships. We can be more agile and responsive to their needs, and provide a more personalized experience.”

Teamwork Wins Championships.

Matt: “We believe that collaboration and cooperation are essential for achieving our goals. By working together, we leverage the strengths and talents of each team member, and create a more innovative and productive environment.”

A Climate of LearningContinuous Education & Improvement

Matt: “We believe in the importance of continuous education and improvement, which is why we have created a climate of learning for our employees. We continuously provide opportunities for our employees to develop new skills, stay engaged, and contribute to the success of our organization.”

Stay connected with our team!

Cynthia, Terri, and Matthew.

Team Mozzarella making class.

Annual office holiday party featuring our mascot, Bromley.

Recognition ceremony for our Customer Service Representatives who achieved the status of

Professional CCSP® by the National Customer Service Association.