Commencement Traditions Tracing roots back to 11th-century royal protection, the mace is carried by the Faculty Senate chair to symbolize the scholarship, integrity, and respect of those who follow.
Academic Regalia: Cap, Gown, and Hood
Academic regalia (American academic dress) is also a relic of the Middle Ages when scholars wore wool or fur hooded cloaks to stay warm in the drafty, unheated stone buildings where they studied.
The Cap
The academic cap is a symbol of the freedom of scholarship as well as the responsibility and dignity with which scholarship endows the wearer. A long tassel is fastened to the middle point of the top of the cap only and is moved from right to left upon graduation. The color of the tassel on the cap denotes the school colors of black and gold.
The Gown
Symbolic of the democracy of scholarship, the gown covers any dress denoting rank or social standing. It is most often black, with pointed sleeves for the bachelor’s degree; oblong sleeves for the master’s degree; and round, open sleeves for the doctoral degree. Doctoral degree gowns are also faced with colorful velvet panels corresponding with the course of study.
The Hood
The hood is the most distinctive feature of American academic dress, which, through color and design, may indicate the wearer’s degree and institution at which the degree was earned. Hoods are lined with the colors of the institution and trimmed to correspond with the degree discipline. The length of the hood varies by academic degree.
Graduation With Honors
Latin honors are awarded to students who have achieved one of the following GPAs: Cum Laude (Bronze) 3.50 to 3.69 Magna Cum Laude (Silver) 3.70 to 3.89
commencement2021
The Ceremonial Mace
Summa Cum Laude (Gold) 3.90 to 4.00 5
