Program - Central Maine Community College

gold for doctorates. Gowns for bachelor’s and master’s degrees are plain black,
but sleeves of the latter are short with trailing “elbows.” Doctoral gowns of
European universities are usually very colorful. The caps are often of soft material
like velvet and are ordinarily not the conventional mortarboard shape.
The various disciplines are indicated by the following colors used on hoods:
Arts, Letters, Humanities—white Music—pink
Commerce, Accountancy, Business—drab Pharmacy—olive green
Education—light blue Philosophy—dark blue
Engineering—orange Physical Education—sage green
Fine Arts, inc. Architecture—brown Public Service—pale aqua
Journalism—crimson Science—golden yellow
Law—purple Social Science—cream
Library Science—lemon Theology—scarlet
Medicine—green
Some of the job titles used by today’s colleges are derived from religious
titles used in the Middle Ages. For instance, “chancellor” was originally a clerk
for a bishop. The clerk sat behind lattice work resembling the “X” used in
cancellation. The position was originally called “canceller” and later became
chancellor. A dean was originally the chief priest in a large church. The term
marshal used in a commencement ceremony to designate faculty members who
lead the academic procession, was originally used to designate the keeper of a
royal horse stable.
This year, Central Maine Community College graduates are wearing black
gowns with a black and red tassel. Members of Phi Theta Kappa, the national
two-year college honorary society, are wearing a gold stole. Honor cords of
various colors are worn around the neck and hang loosely down the front to
represent academic distinction. The single gold cord identifies those graduating
with honors. Students graduating with High Honors and President Honors
wear two gold cords.
The academic procession will begin the ceremony. During the procession
the traditional Pomp and Circumstance will be played. The Grand Marshal will
lead the procession followed by the candidates for graduation. Faculty and
professional staff of the college will be next in the procession led by the Faculty
Marshal. The College President, senior college administrators, trustees and distinguished
guests and the Commencement speaker will comprise the platform
party and will be the last to enter the hall.
The Grand Marshal will carry the College Mace. A mace was a weapon of
war in use in Europe, chiefly among cavalry, as late as the sixteenth century. It is
a club-like, short (usually one-handed) weapon.
Sometimes the head—a round ball with or without spikes—was detached
from the shaft and connected by a short chain. This was to provide more cen-