Academic Traditions

For centuries, pomp and circumstance have added color and dignity to the recognition of scholastic achievement. Modern academic dress evolved from caps and gowns worn in medieval universities, which were agencies of the church. Academic gowns distinguished university personnel from townspeople who also wore gowns for daily dress. The costumes of doctors and lesser clerics were not as elaborate as those prescribed for officials, but they were distinctive nonetheless. Through the centuries, the traditional pageantry has not changed much. In ancient times, each individual scholar wore special colors, fur and fabrics, as did his students. Since the traditions began, however, official standards allow the observer to identify more about the scholar.

 

Gowns

Three types of black gowns may be distinguished in UAF’s academic procession. Certificate, associate and baccalaureate gowns have long, pointed sleeves. Master’s gowns have oblong sleeves with an arc cut away in the front. Doctoral gowns are faced with velvet and have bell-shaped sleeves with three bars of velvet.

 

Hoods

UAF’s master’s and doctoral degree candidates will receive their hoods today, signifying they have gone beyond the bachelor’s degree to a higher level of academic achievement. UAF’s colors are blue and gold, and these colors line the inside of each hood. The velvet trim signifies the scholar’s field of study.

 

Mortarboards

The square Oxford cap, or mortarboard, is black and has a long tassel fastened to the middle of the top. You may notice the University of Alaska regents and some of the faculty wearing soft beret-style caps. Some colleges and universities use the soft beret, but the prevailing style of cap is the traditional mortarboard. For undergraduates receiving their first degree, the tassel is customarily worn on the right side and shifted to the left after receiving the diploma. At many institutions, colored tassels are worn to indicate the candidate’s school or college. At UAF, a blue and gold tassel is worn on the cap for all certificates and associate, baccalaureate and master’s degrees, and gold tassels are worn for all doctoral degrees. While you may not be able to identify the origins of each specific academic robe and hood appearing in today’s commencement ceremony, you can reflect that from the certificate recipient in a simple black gown to the doctor of philosophy in a velvet trimmed robe and colorful hood, students and professors alike are paying homage to more than 700 years of academic tradition. April 30, 2022 59 An academic legend tells of a wise old Greek who dressed his students in mason’s sackcloth robes and mortarboards because, he said, “Their destiny is to build. Some will build cities; some will build lives — perhaps one of them will build an empire; but all will be builders on the solid foundation of knowledge.”