Guide to Various Types of Academic Regalia
Graduation has a different meaning to each individual. There are those that treasure the graduation day while others are not at all concerned of the outcome. However, many people anticipate the graduation day because it marks the next step they are going to take in life. This is what matters to most people and they do their best to have a great graduation ceremony. Whatever your reason is, prepare for your graduation and understanding the significance of the graduation ceremony is very important.
Graduation gowns trace their roots from the early scholars. In United States, the gown worn during graduation was used during the colonial period and formalized at the Intercollegiate Code in the year 1895. Other countries have followed most of what was used by intellectuals at Oxford and Cambridge Universities during medieval Europe. This shows how rich and important the graduation gown is in its essence. Today, many schools and learning institutions have changed their graduation gowns to match their schools colors.
The academic regalia in the universities have various colors depending on the field of study. It is normally usual for students receiving Bachelor’s degree in any field to wear black gowns that have straight unwrapped sleeves. The hats are generally black mortarboards while a colored tassel is also incorporated. The color of the tassel mainly depicts the field of study for that particular student. Others wear hats that drape around the shoulders and suspend at the back using the university’s colors. The university seal is indicated on a piece that is on the front of the neck.
The master’s students mainly wear a general mortarboard. The graduation tassels are mainly colored together with black gowns. The gown has sleeves that are rhombus with wrapped ends and everyone bestowed the master’s degree wears the cap. The lining of the gown has the same color as the tassel and shows the field of study for that person. For the master’s students, the outer color of the cap matches the color of the university one has earned a degree. The graduates are given their degrees and a handshake.
The doctoral students wear gowns with velvet stripes along the arms and chest. The colors of the graduation regalia indicate the area of study for a particular student. The doctorate graduates do not wear mortarboard but rather a tam which is attached a tiny golden tassel. Many universities give doctors capes that look like those for master’s students at the graduation ceremony. This cape is usually awarded by the student’s academic advisor. This is very memorable event for many graduates who have excelled in their field of study.
It is important to keep the tassels well after graduation so that they can act as a reminder of the graduation day. Many students value these moments and once they are older they can tell their children of the special moments in school and graduation. In, general the graduation ceremony is very significant in many learning institutions.
Comments Off