C O M M E N C E M E N T - Grand Valley State University
C O M M E N C E M E N T - Grand Valley State University
C O M M E N C E M E N T - Grand Valley State University
You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles
YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.
10<br />
THE TRADITION OF THE CAP AND GOWN<br />
The distinctive and colorful gowns worn during academic ceremonies originated in medieval European universities. In the 14th century, their<br />
use had become so common that universities, including Oxford <strong>University</strong> in England, required their faculty to wear them in public places.<br />
Gowns may have been necessary for warmth in the unheated buildings used by medieval scholars, or they may reflect the strong ties that<br />
existed then between academic and religious institutions.<br />
In the late 19th century, American universities formed a commission that prepared a code for academic costumes. That code has been<br />
updated and is used today by most colleges and universities. Academic dress consists of a gown, cap, and hood, which indicate the degree<br />
held by the wearer and the college or university that awarded that degree.<br />
Gowns: The gown for the bachelor’s degree has pointed sleeves and is worn closed in front. It may be black, but is often the color of the<br />
university. The gown for the master’s degree is typically black and has longer oblong sleeves, with a large section that hangs below the wrist.<br />
These are still used today to store a variety of useful objects. The doctor’s gown is very full and has large, full sleeves. The front is trimmed in<br />
velvet, and there are three bars of velvet on each sleeve. The velvet may be black or may be the color of the wearer’s degree. Although the<br />
standard doctor’s gown is black, many American universities have adopted gowns that have one or more of the school colors. Some of these<br />
gowns in the academic procession today could be from the <strong>University</strong> of Michigan (light blue with gold piping), Michigan <strong>State</strong> <strong>University</strong><br />
(green), Harvard <strong>University</strong> (red), and Duke <strong>University</strong> (blue).<br />
Hoods: Master’s and doctor’s degree holders wear a hood draped over the shoulders and back. Both are trimmed in velvet of a color that<br />
signifies the wearer’s degree. Some common colors you might see in the procession are:<br />
• Agriculture – Maize<br />
• Arts, Letters, Humanities – White<br />
• Commerce, Accountancy, Business – Drab<br />
• Dentistry – Lilac<br />
• Economics – Copper<br />
• Education – Light Blue<br />
• Engineering – Orange<br />
• Fine Arts – Brown<br />
• Foreign Service – Blue<br />
• Forestry – Russet<br />
• Journalism – Crimson<br />
• Law – Purple<br />
• Library Science – Lemon<br />
A holder of the Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree wears the dark blue of philosophy no matter what his or her specialty is.<br />
The satin lining of the hood represents the colors of the college or university that granted the degree. Look for the light blue and white<br />
of <strong>Grand</strong> <strong>Valley</strong> <strong>State</strong> <strong>University</strong>, the green and white of Michigan <strong>State</strong> <strong>University</strong>, the maize and blue of the <strong>University</strong> of Michigan, and<br />
the red and gray of The Ohio <strong>State</strong> <strong>University</strong>.<br />
Caps: Also known as mortarboards, caps complete the academic costume. The standard cap is flat and square with a tassel fastened to<br />
the center of the stiff top. Bachelor’s and master’s tassels are black or the color of the gown. Doctor’s tassels are shorter and gold. Once<br />
the bachelor’s degree is conferred, the tassel is worn on the left. In recent years, some American universities have adopted soft velvet caps<br />
for holders of their doctor’s degrees.<br />
THE MACE<br />
• Medicine – Green<br />
• Music – Pink<br />
• Nursing – Apricot<br />
• Oratory (Speech) – Silver Gray<br />
• Pharmacy – Olive Green<br />
• Philosophy – Dark Blue<br />
• Physical Education – Sage Green<br />
• Public Administration – Peacock<br />
• Public Health – Salmon Pink<br />
• Science – Yellow<br />
• Social Work – Citron<br />
• Theology – Scarlet<br />
• Veterinary Science – Gray<br />
The role of mace bearer is ceremonial, deriving from medieval times in England when officials taking office or opening their courts felt<br />
the need for protection. Since the 16th century in England, and in America since colonial days, it has been a symbol of office only.<br />
In commencement ceremonies, it is carried by a distinguished member of the faculty who usually precedes the entire procession.<br />
Its placement in, and removal from, a designated place of honor signify the opening and closing of ceremonial sessions.<br />
The <strong>Grand</strong> <strong>Valley</strong> <strong>State</strong> <strong>University</strong> mace was used for the first time in the 1983 commencement ceremonies. The mace was designed<br />
by Beverly Seley, professor in the Art and Design Department at <strong>Grand</strong> <strong>Valley</strong> and executed by students in her metalsmithing class.