Why do graduates throw their hats in the air?

The act of throwing caps in the air is now widely known as a symbolic act to end a chapter of the graduate's life. There's something so unforgettable about watching it from the stands as well as being the person tossing a cap! Some schools embrace the tradition, while others have banned cap-tossing altogether.

What is it called when you throw your graduation cap in the air?

The tradition of throwing the mortarboard — named for its resemblance to a tool used by masons to hold mortar and made fashionable in the 14th and 15th centuries by artists and students — started at the Naval Academy in 1912.

Why can't graduates throw caps?

No one is certain when the tradition of graduation hat tossing began, but some people say it dates back to 1912 when members of the U.S. Naval Academy threw their midshipman caps in the air to get rid of them after being commissioned officers.

What does the graduation cap symbolize?

Academically, caps were typically worn to signify achievement in high levels of education (master's and doctorate degrees), but have since trickled down to other levels like bachelor's degrees, high school diplomas, and virtually any student celebrating a commencement.

Why do people wear hoods at graduation?

Today, hoods are the most expressive component of the academic costume. They serve to communicate the owner's school, degree and field of study through their length and the colors of the lining and binding.

2018 GRADUATION HAT THROW

Do all graduates wear hoods?

The Code also states: "It is quite appropriate for the bachelor's gown to be worn without a hood." Many institutions, particularly larger ones, have therefore dispensed with the bachelor's hood at commencement ceremonies altogether, though a graduate is still entitled to wear one once the degree is conferred.

Who wears hoods at graduation?

There are subtle differences to the regalia worn at graduation. The bachelor's degree recipient wears a plain black gown with a bell sleeve and a red tassel on the cap, or mortar board, and no hood. The master's degree recipient wears a black tassel, a colored hood and a gown that has a visibly odd sleeve.

Why do only female graduates wear caps?

Like many other traditions in Ireland, the Catholic church had some influence over this social norm. Men are expected to remove hats in places of worship, as a mark of respect and to avoid “dishonouring” his head, while women are required to remain covered during acts of worship.

What is it called when you move your tassel at graduation?

There is a graduation tradition called the turning of the tassel. As tradition goes, there comes a time during the ceremony when the graduates are asked to flip their tassel from one side of their cap to another and this signifies the earning of a degree.

What does a black graduation gown mean?

Most schools use the color black for their doctoral gowns. Some doctoral degrees have specially colored velvet or piping that reflects their academic field.

Do you get to keep your graduation cap?

We always recommend that after certain graduation traditions, such as the throwing of your graduation cap, you retrieve your graduation cap for keepsake. We also always recommend removing your graduation tassel before throwing your cap, so at the very least, you will have a tassel as a keepsake.

Why do we wear square hats at graduation?

At the University of Cambridge, undergraduates by ancient convention used to cut their tassels very short so that the tassel does not extend beyond the edge of the board. After they graduated, they wore the square cap with the tassel at the normal length.

What do you do with your cap and gown after graduation?

They can be donated to schools, thrift stores, theaters, or drama clubs and find repurposing there. Old graduation gowns can also be handed down to friends or relatives who might have need of them during their own graduations.

Why do seniors throw their caps?

During the ceremony, the soon-to-be Navy officers were handed their Navy officer hats. This started the tradition at the US Naval Academy for every graduating class to symbolize the shedding of their midshipmen titles and preparing themselves for the role of Navy officer.

What do the ropes mean on graduation?

A graduation rope, or honor cord, is worn to represent an achievement of the student or their participation in a specific group or study, which is identified by the color or colors of the cord.

What should I wear under my graduation gown?

Women are best wearing either dress pants or a shorter skirt underneath the gown, while men should choose khakis or dark-colored dress pants. Avoid brightly coloured bottoms if you choose to wear dress pants or a longer skirt, as they can be seen below the hem of the gown and stick to darker colours.

What is a hooded at graduation?

Page 1. The Hooding Ceremony is a special recognition ceremony for masters or doctoral degree candidates. During the ceremony, a faculty member places the doctoral hood over the head of the graduate, signifying their success in completing the graduate program.

What was the age of the youngest known college graduate at the time of graduation?

Michael Kearney earned a bachelor's degree in anthropology in 1994 at the age of 10 years and four months, making him the youngest person to graduate college ever.

Why is it called a mortarboard?

The term for the modern cap, mortarboard, stems from its resemblance to a mason's square board for carrying mortar.

What do 3 stripes on a graduation gown mean?

The highest level of academic achievement, the doctorate, is marked by broad velvet panels down the front of the gown, accompanied by three velvet bars on each arm, which are open and round. The doctorate allows allows the conferee to wear a velvet beret with a gold or bullion tassel.

What do graduation hood colors mean?

You use the hood and color that represents your highest ranking degree (with Doctoral as highest, Masters as second highest, Bachelors as third highest, and Associate as the lowest). If you have two different degrees at the same highest ranking degree, you generally use the most recently awarded degree as your hood.

Why do masters gowns have long sleeves?

Today, master's gowns are generally worn closed, but for the first sixty-five years of American academic costume history, they were worn open in the front. The sleeve design of the master's gown required a jacket to be worn underneath, otherwise the wearer's bare arms would show and create an awkward appearance.

How many cords can you wear at graduation?

The good news is that you don't have to choose between a stole/sash and a cord(s); you can wear a cord and a stole/sash together and you can wear more than one cord. However, it's not practical to wear more than one sash/stole, though some graduates may do it.

What happens if I don't return my graduation gown?

Failure to return apparel may result in a fine. All Associates and Bachelor students need to return their gown, they will keep their cap, tassel, and stole. All Master and Doctorate students need to return their gown and hood, they will keep their cap/tam and tassel.

What do you do with cords after graduation?

Pin your graduation cap, sash, tassel, cords, and medals to preserve them and display them. This beats using them once and storing them away in the closet to be forgotten.