HCC’s Annual Commencement Ceremony is held in the college’s Athletic, Recreation & Community Center (ARCC), typically in mid‑May. Graduates must apply for graduation by the stated deadlines, meet all degree requirements and order the approved graduation regalia in order to “walk” in the ceremony. The ceremony begins with a processional — often to “Pomp and Circumstance” — followed by national anthem, remarks from college leadership, presentation of degrees and certificates, conferral of credentials, and closing.

Academic Regalia: Cap, Gown, Tassel, Stole, Honor Cords

Cap & Tassel: Graduates must wear a mortarboard (academic cap) with tassel. The cap is to be worn squarely on the head — front point over the forehead below the hairline, mortarboard parallel to the floor.
• Tassel Position: At the start of the ceremony, tassel hangs on the right side. After degrees are conferred, graduates shift the tassel to the left side — a symbolic move marking their transition.
• Gown & Stole: The “approved HCC Graduation Regalia” includes the gown and a stole (in addition to cap and tassel). Graduates are responsible for ordering and paying for their regalia through HCC’s vendor; the regalia is shipped to the HCC Campus Store for student pick‑up.
• Honor Cords / Special Cords & Stoles: Only certain groups are authorized to wear additional cords or stoles:
  • Members of Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) may wear a gold stole and tassel.
  • United States Veterans and active military graduates may wear a red, white, and blue cord provided by the college’s Veterans Club.
  • Other personal cords or stoles (e.g. for clubs, organizations, groups) are not permitted, even if requested. This is enforced to maintain fairness among all graduates.

Graduates are instructed not to pin real flowers onto caps, gowns or clothing; personal belongings should not be carried during the ceremony to avoid distractions or safety concerns. Comfortable, soft-soled shoes are recommended for walking across the stage.

Why Regalia & Ceremony Matter for HCC

HCC emphasizes that commencement is more than a celebration — it is a formal academic event signifying the conferral of credentials. Wearing the designated graduation gown, cap, tassel, and stole ensures uniformity and dignity, while selective use of honor cords/stoles (PTK, Veterans) acknowledges academic and service achievements without diminishing equity or decorum

Hagerstown Community College Graduation Regalia – Cap, Gown, Tassel, Stole & Honor Cords

Celebrate your milestone with the official HCC academic regalia. Designed for graduates and faculty of Hagerstown Community College, this complete set meets the institution’s commencement ceremony dress code. Perfect for commencement, academic ceremonies, and professional keepsakes.

• Includes: Graduation cap (mortarboard), tassel, gown, and stole as per HCC approved regalia.
• Cap & Tassel: Classic black mortarboard cap, worn squarely with front point over forehead; tassel starts on the right, to be shifted left after degree conferral.
• Gown Styles: Bachelor’s – narrow closed sleeve below knee; Master’s – longer closed sleeves with arm slits; Doctoral – bell sleeves with velvet trim (velvet color may represent academic discipline).
• Hood / Academic Hood (Master’s / Doctoral): Hood silk‑lined to display institutional and discipline colors per HCC’s tradition.
• Stole & Honor Cords:
  • Gold stole + gold tassel for PTK (honor society) members.
  • Red, white & blue cord for U.S. Veterans / Active Military graduates (provided by HCC Veterans Club).
  No other cords or stoles are permitted — ensures uniformity and respects HCC dress code.
• Discipline Hood Colors: Fields of study follow standard academic‑regalia color codes — e.g. Science = Golden Yellow, Education = Light Blue, Business = Drab, Nursing = Apricot, Music = Pink, etc.
• Faculty Regalia: Faculty with graduate or doctoral degrees wear the appropriate gown, hood and mortarboard, with hood reflecting their degree‑granting institution and discipline. Hood and gown follow traditional academic costume standards.

Why Choose Official HCC Regalia?

• Meets HCC commencement dress‑code — required for participation in the graduation ceremony.
• Uniform, dignified academic appearance coordinating cap, gown, tassel, hood, stole, and cords.
• Professional keepsake — ideal for photographs, proud display, and memorabilia of academic achievement.
• Recognized color codes for discipline-specific hood linings, ensuring authenticity for associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral graduates.

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