What is a mortar board used for?

a board, usually square, used by masons to hold mortar. Also called cap. a cap with a close-fitting crown surmounted by a stiff, flat, square piece from which a tassel hangs, worn as part of academic costume.

What does mortar board do?

Mortar Board is a cherished collegiate honor society that creates memories to last a lifetime. The Society brings together top students who are not only passionate about learning but who are passionate about leading and adding to the quality of student life on campus as well.

What do Americans call a mortar board?

The graduate hat (also known as an academic cap, graduate cap, mortarboard, or trencher) is part of the formal academic attire to be worn by graduating students (graduands) during the graduation ceremony.

Is mortar board a big deal?

Recognition. Mortar Board members are known on their campuses for their achievements and leadership abilities. They also form meaningful connections with faculty, administrators and other campus leaders.

What is the significance of mortar board?

Mortarboard caps are thought to have been created in the 15th century, as part of an evolution from a hat type known as a birettas which was used by Catholic clerics and professors. The distinctive square shape of a mortarboard is believed to signify a book, chosen in recognition of scholarly achievements.

Pomp and circumstance: a History of the Mortarboard

What is another name for a mortar board?

The square academic cap, graduate cap, cap, mortarboard (because of its similarity in appearance to the mortarboard used by brickmasons to hold mortar) or Oxford cap is an item of academic dress consisting of a horizontal square board fixed upon a skull-cap, with a tassel attached to the centre.

Who wears a mortar board?

The academic cap or square, commonly known as the mortarboard, has come to be symbolic of academia. In some universities it can be worn by graduates and undergraduates alike. It is a flat square hat with a tassel suspended from a button in the top center of the board.

Is mortar board worth joining?

One of the positive aspects of Mortar Board is its commitment to academic excellence. Members must have a minimum GPA of 3.0 and be in the top 35% of their class. This requirement ensures that members are not only intelligent but also dedicated to their studies.

Why do graduates wear mortar boards?

Today, American graduates in law, medicine, and philosophy still wear rounded caps, but undergraduates have firmly claimed the square cap—often called a mortarboard since they resemble the square tray bricklayers use when applying mortar.

What is the difference between a mortar board and a bonnet?

Mortar boards, also called trenchers, graduation hats or caps, have a sculpted crown which goes over the head, topped by a square shaped board and tassel attached to the top of the cap. Graduation bonnets, also called Tudor bonnets or PhD hats, are generally made using velvet and are lined with satin.

Why do only female graduates wear caps?

There are a few reasons why only female graduates wear caps. First, it is a tradition that has been passed down for generations. Second, caps are seen as a symbol of intelligence and success, and female graduates have worked hard to earn their degrees.

How do you display mortar board?

Put your decorated mortarboard on display in a graduation cap frame and preserve it for future generations. In a custom frame, your graduation day memento will be kept safe and can be displayed for decades to come.

Why do graduation caps have tassels?

The tassel before graduation symbolizes your time as a student. When you move it to the other side, you are confirming your newfound graduate status. Today, this simple but beautiful tradition is performed at commencements across the country.

Is it hard to get into mortar board?

Membership is selective. A candidate must meet all selection criteria by achievement, not potential. Your chapter must gain approval of its candidates from the Mortar Board National Office before tapping them. There are seven steps that every Mortar Board chapter follows to have selection success.

What is a graduation cap called?

What is the graduate hat for? The graduate hat (also known as an academic cap, graduate cap, mortarboard, or trencher) is part of the formal academic attire to be worn by graduating students (graduands) during the graduation ceremony.

What is the PhD hat called?

The Doctoral Tam: The academic tam is a hat worn with the gown and hood. It is usually made of black velvet and features a tassel in a specific color that represents the degree being conferred. For example, a blue tassel signifies a PhD degree, while a gold tassel signifies an EdD degree.

What is the origin of the mortarboard at graduation?

Many scholars believe the mortarboard style cap graduates don was developed from the biretta, a similar-looking Italian hat worn by Roman Catholic clergy. In the 12th and 13th centuries, students and teachers typically wore clerical clothing because the church was highly influential at this time.

Where does the tassel go on a mortarboard?

Position tassel to the appropriate side

Prior to your ceremony, arrange the tassel so it drapes over the right side of your mortarboard (the side closest to your face) while you're wearing it.

What is the acceptance rate for NSLS?

The NSLS maintains university-established criteria that best serves to recognize a distinguished group of their students. Nationally, less than 20% of the campus population at our 700+ colleges and universities receive an invitation.

Is the NSLS honor society legit?

Yes, the NSLS is a legitimate honor society with more than 1.5 million members at over 700 chapters nationwide. The NSLS maintains university-established criteria that best serves to recognize a distinguished group of their students.

Is gamma beta phi prestigious?

Established in 1964, The Gamma Beta Phi Society now serves as one of the nation's premier academic organizations, honoring the hard work and dedication of college students from community colleges, liberal arts institutions, private institutions, and public/research universities across America.

Why do bachelor hoods have fur?

It involves the most educated, therefore more senior, getting to sit nearest the fire – so Doctors of Philosophy (PhDs) need no fur around their hoods to keep them warm, while Bachelors, who sit furthest from the fire, have hoods edged with fur.

What does a GREY graduation gown mean?

Grey gowns are worn for foundation degree students; black gowns are worn by bachelors students; red gowns are worn by masters students and the PhD students wear a doctoral gown which incorporates all three of the university colours.

What is a PhD undress?

Each degree has a black gown and hood proper to it. Doctors (those with Oxford DPhils or the higher doctorates of DD, DCL, DM, DLitt, DSc and DMus) also have a scarlet robe worn without a hood at the highest ceremonial occasions; the doctoral black gowns are therefore sometimes called 'undress' gowns.