Gettysburg College’s commencement ceremony is a deeply rooted tradition, held on the north side of Pennsylvania Hall at the Beachem Portico, rain or shine. Graduates are required to wear full academic regalia — including a black graduation gown, mortarboard cap, tassel, and a hood in the color appropriate to their degree. The tassel begins on the right side of the cap and is officially moved once the degree is conferred.

A unique feature of Gettysburg’s ceremony is the Stole of Gratitude, a symbolic token gifted by the Alumni Association. Graduates wear this stole throughout commencement to honor those who supported their journey; at the departmental reception afterward, they may present it to a person who significantly contributed to their success. Honor cords (for Latin honors: summa, magna, cum laude) are distributed on Commencement morning during lineup in the CUB Ballroom; departmental honor cords (if any) are handed out by individual departments.

In Gettysburg’s regalia system, hoods play a central role: the hood’s velvet trim and lining reflect both the graduate’s degree level and academic discipline, following the traditional academic code. As the published commencement program notes, the colors, designs, and materials of robes, tassels, hoods, and velvet/satin trimmings designate everything — from degree type to field of study. Faculty regalia likewise conforms to academic traditions, with distinctive gown styles, hoods, and faculty cap options, though Gettysburg does not publicly publish a single, uniform color for faculty robes — their design varies by degree, discipline, and institutional tradition.

Overall, Gettysburg College combines formal academic regalia (graduation gown, cap, tassel, hood) with its own symbolic Stole of Gratitude and honor cords to create a commencement that is both traditional and deeply personal, honoring both academic achievement and community support.

Note: To confirm the exact colors of the graduation gown, cap, tassel, honor cords, and stoles for your specific program at Gettysburg College, 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.