Colgate University, located in Hamilton, New York, holds its annual commencement ceremony each May, bringing together undergraduates, graduate students, faculty, and honorary degree recipients. As part of the tradition, Colgate’s baccalaureate service precedes commencement; students attend without caps but wearing robes, while faculty process in full academic regalia.

In terms of academic regalia, graduates wear a black mortarboard cap and a black gown. According to the official 2025 commencement program, the hood’s velvet trimming color depends on the faculty: for example, white for liberal arts, gold for science, purple for law, orange for engineering, dark blue for philosophy, salmon pink for public health, apricot for nursing, among other fields. The hood length and velvet width also indicate the degree level (bachelor, master, or doctoral).

When honorary degrees are conferred, the hoods are lined in Colgate maroon (the University’s signature color) with velvet denoting the honoree’s discipline. According to Colgate’s regalia guidance, holders of doctoral degrees are entitled to wear a gold tassel, while other graduates typically use a standard black tassel.

On honor cords and stoles, public documentation is sparse: the commencement program notes that “a variety of cords, stoles, and pins … highlight achievements,” and specifically mentions that a gold cord is used for summa cum laude graduates. However, there is no widely published color‑chart for cords or stoles by major or society in Colgate’s student handbook or identity guidelines. Public policies emphasize the primary university color palette of Colgate maroon, maple red, black, and greys.

For faculty regalia, Colgate does not explicitly publish a public color‑scheme for hoods or gown velvet trim in its student handbook or commencement guidance, suggesting faculty dress follows traditional academic garb, with discipline-specific velvet color but not necessarily a standardized, publicly detailed chart.

Colgate University Academic Regalia – Cap, Gown & Tassel

Mark your graduation from Colgate University with this elegant academic regalia set — includes a black gown, mortarboard cap, and tassel tailored to university tradition.

• Graduation Gown: High-quality black robe consistent with Colgate’s commencement ceremony dress code.
• Graduation Cap: Classic black mortarboard to complement the gown.
• Tassel: Neutral black tassel included, with the option for gold for doctoral degree holders.
• Hood Velvet Trim: Optional hood features velvet matching academic department (e.g., white for liberal arts, gold for science, orange for engineering).
• Honor Cords/Stoles: No universal color standard publicly listed; Colgate’s commencement program mentions gold for summa cum laude.
• Faculty Regalia Colors: Not part of this student set; faculty regalia includes discipline‑specific velvet trim though full public policy is limited.

Note: To confirm the exact colors of the graduation gown, cap, tassel, honor cords, and stoles for your specific program at Colgate University, you can reach out directly to the college's administration or the office responsible for commencement and student services. They can provide you with the most accurate and up-to-date information regarding academic regalia.