What is the tradition of graduation stoles?

Draped around the neck and over the shoulders of the gown, graduation stoles are typically worn to highlight a student's academic or extracurricular achievement, or their affiliation with a particular group or field of study. Valedictorians and salutatorians wear stoles, as do commencement speakers.

What is the point of the stole at graduation?

Graduation stoles, also commonly referred to as a graduation sash, are sashes worn draped over the shoulders at a commencement ceremony to denote achievement or involvement in academics, sports, student clubs, professional organizations, extracurriculars, their major, as a member of Greek Society in a fraternity or ...

What is the history of graduation stoles?

The origins of graduation stoles can be traced back to medieval times when they were used as a symbol of academic achievement. During this time, only the wealthiest and most privileged students were allowed to wear academic robes, and stoles were used to distinguish those students from their peers.

Who gets to wear a stole at graduation?

Wearing stoles for graduation is a way for students to show off their fields of studies, honor society memberships, and affiliations such as fraternities or sororities. They can also acknowledge military service, valedictorians, and salutatorians.

What is the tradition of the stole?

The Stole of Gratitude is worn during the commencement ceremony. After the ceremony, the new graduate presents the stole to someone who provided extraordinary help or support, like parents, relatives, or mentors who have helped with wisdom, words of support, or with financial assistance.

Kente Graduation Stole Meanings and Symbolism

What does the stole symbolize?

The stole is a liturgical vestment of various Christian denominations, which symbolizes priestly authority; in Protestant denominations which do not have priests but use stoles as a liturgical vestment, however, it symbolizes being a member of the ordained.

Why is the stole important?

In the Roman Catholic Church it is a symbol of immortality. It is generally considered the unique badge of the ordained ministry and is conferred at ordination. Its origins are obscure, but it probably derived from a handkerchief or a secular scarf used as a symbol of rank.

Does every graduate get a stole?

Considering that a stole can represent any major, all four-year college graduates technically qualify to wear a graduation stole at their ceremony. Members of Greek society are also identified by the unique stoles of their fraternities and sororities. Graduation stoles can carry cultural significance as well.

Does every graduate wear a stole?

A majority of schools don't require stoles to be worn at the ceremony. Many choose not to wear them, but a vast amount of students prefer to have them, as not only does it help them display their achievements and groups they were involved with, but it's also a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity they can't turn down.

Can I wear my own stole at graduation?

Keep in mind anyone can wear a stole, but anyone can't wear any stole. Certain stoles can only be worn by people involved in an organization, like a fraternity or a sorority. You'll have to be respectful of certain traditions if you decide to wear one. Can you wear any stole to graduation?

Why do black graduates wear stoles?

Since at least the 1970s, African American graduates -particularly university graduates- wear a kente cloth stole over their graduation robes. The kente cloth stole represents the graduates' pride in their restored Afrikan heritage, and their pride in their accomplishment of graduating.

Can a graduate wear two stoles?

Whereas graduates can drape themselves with multiple honor cords, graduates traditionally wear only one honor stole during their commencement ceremony. However, for universities with less strict attire rules, graduates have been known to layer two or more graduation stoles around their shoulders.

What is the difference between a graduation hood and stole?

An academic hood is worn over your shoulders and drapes down your back. In comparison, a graduation stole is worn over your shoulders also, but the lengths of colour drape down your front and the stole sits on either side of your chest.

What does a black graduation stole mean?

Each color has several meanings, for example: black is maturity/passing rites, gold is prosperity, green is growth/renewal and maroon is healing. Stoles are a popular addition to honor your students for their achievements and good grades at your graduation ceremony.

What does a gold graduation stole mean?

Gold, the most common accent color in graduation regalia, is used broadly to represent academic excellence and achievement, particularly in the fields of science and mathematics. It's also used to represent honor societies and high grade point averages.

How long is a stole for graduation?

A graduation stole is usually between 68 inches and 74 inches long. The exact length is not important as it is really a matter of preference and what works best for your body type. Normally the ends of the graduation stole should rest somewhere below your navel and above your knees.

What do graduation stole colors mean?

Although, these days, you can essentially do whatever you'd like, there are some standard colors and symbols that are common according to The Classroom, if you need a basis to start from: White: Humanities, Arts, English, etc. Beige: Business. Green: Medicine, Pharmacy and Physical Education. Orange: Engineering.

What do ropes around neck at graduation mean?

An honor cord is a token consisting of twisted cords with tassels on either end awarded to members of honor societies or for various academic and non-academic achievements, awards, or honors. Usually, cords come in pairs with a knot in the middle to hold them together.

What does the pink stole mean for graduation?

Your uses for the pink graduation stole can also be reflected in the symbolic color meanings. On the college degree level, pink represents accomplishments in the area of music.

Can I buy my own cords for graduation?

While schools and organizations may hand out honor cords to students, they can also be purchased to ensure you stand out during your graduation ceremony!

What does a white graduation stole mean?

At the university level, white generally indicates success in the liberal arts, but a white graduation stole can be used for any number of awards an honors.

Why do priests kiss their stole?

The first inner vestment the priest puts on is the amice. He kisses the cross on it as a sign of reverence and places it momentarily over his head before resting it on the shoulders to protect the other vestments from his own sweat!

Where do you wear a stole?

The most classic and timeless way to wear a stole is without a knot. Just run it around your neck in neat folds and let the two ends fall in two parallel straight lines down your front.

What does a red stole mean?

Red often represents particular abilities and success in a given field, such as technology and engineering, or sometimes journalism. The red graduation stole can also represent participation in a special academic club, or other school group.