Adams State University

Adams State University’s commencement ceremony is a formal culmination of academic achievement where graduates wear full academic regalia: the graduation gown, graduation cap (mortarboard), tassel sets and additional accoutrements as applicable. According to the Registrar’s website, students must order their cap and gown ahead of the ceremony and the tassel placement varies by degree: associate and bachelor candidates wear the tassel on the right until instructed to move it left; master and doctoral candidates wear the tassel on the left from the start. Adams State University

The ceremony is held annually in May, with separate undergraduate and graduate sessions.

Graduates are instructed to wear the cap level on their head for proper appearance and to line up prior to processional.

The university bookstore partners with a regalia vendor to supply the gown, cap and tassel sets, and students are reminded that the bookstore will not carry regalia directly in some cases.

Honor cords or stoles may be used to denote academic honours or special distinction, though specific colour‐codes are not detailed publicly on the site. Family and guests gather to witness the procession, conferring of degrees, and the tassel movement signaling graduate status. The graduation gown colour for students remains the traditional gown colour set by the institution; cap and gown together present a unified appearance of academic regalia. For anyone shopping for commencement attire, it’s essential to select the correct graduation gown, matching graduation cap, and tassels set in alignment with Adams State University’s commencement instructions. Proper academic regalia ensures graduates honor the ceremony’s tradition and institutional standards.

Adams State University – Academic Regalia Sets

Complete regalia kits for Adams State University commencement: select your level (Undergraduate, Graduate/Master’s, Doctoral, Faculty) and receive the correct graduation gown, graduation cap and tassel set plus optional honor cord or stole.

• Undergraduate/Bachelor: student graduation gown (black), mortarboard cap, tassel set (initially on right), optional honor cord or stole.
• Graduate/Master’s: master’s academic gown, mortarboard cap, tassels (wear on left), optional hood or stole, honors cords.
• Doctoral: full doctoral gown, academic cap or tam, tassel set, hood or doctoral stole, honor cords or stoles for distinction.
• Faculty & Staff: faculty cap & gown, tassels, stoles or cords—designed to match Adams State University faculty regalia styling.
• Colour and Accessory Compliance: kits built to align with Adams State University’s guidelines for graduation gown colour, tassel placement, and approved honor cords and stoles.