Hats Off to Grads

There is a good reason they call these ceremonies 'commencement exercises'. Graduation is not the end, it's the beginning. ~ Orin Hatch

 

Jeff - graduation day Indiana State University

 

The mortarboard is the square academic cap that graduates wear on their head.  It is similar in appearance to the hawk used by brick layers to hold mortar. The tassel is a bunch of loose threads or cords bound at one end and hanging free at the other. Accademic dress is the proper way to describe the gown or robe worn by the graduating student.

Why do graduating students wear academic dress for the ceremony?  It all started in the often unheated buildings of the middle ages, long gowns were necessary for scholars to ward off the cold.
Tassels are usually worn on the right side and shifted to the left when graduates receive their diplomas. Men should remove their caps during the school song and the National Anthem.
The colors of this special garb used to signify the areas of study, but now reflect more of the schools colors.

Here are my husband and I.  It's kismet that although we were born and raised in separate towns and states, both of us went to schools where our 'colors' were green and gold... and we wore green gowns with gold tassels.  Jeff went to Benton Central High School, home of the Bisons and I went to J.I. Case High School, home of the Eagles.

Week #21 - LIFE'S simple pleasures - graduating

You're off to great places
today is your day
Your mountain is waiting
so get on your way
~ Dr. Suess