Hampden–Sydney College, a historic liberal-arts men’s college in Virginia, holds a traditional Commencement ceremony that features a procession, hooding, diploma distribution, and alumni toast. According to the official Commencement program, bachelor’s candidates wear gray graduation gowns, replicating the style used since 1893, paired with garnet-and-gray tassels on their mortarboard caps. Before the diploma is handed out, the Dean of Students ceremonially turns each tassel from right to left, symbolizing the transition from candidate to graduate.

Hampden–Sydney’s academic hoods feature a black exterior and a lining with stripes in garnet and gray, matching the college colors. The facing of the hood — the part that drapes around the neck — also reflects the graduate’s academic discipline; in the published regalia-section of the program, there are notes about white or golden-yellow facings depending on the field.

Regarding honor cords, stoles, and tassels, however, Hampden–Sydney does not publicly publish a standardized color chart in its student handbook or catalog. The Student Handbook (“The Key”) does not detail specific honor cord or stole colors. What is clear is that regalia (cap, gown, tassel) is required for Final Convocation and Commencement, but there is no mandatory purchase: graduates can pre-order regalia and pick it up at Senior Fair.

Faculty and platform party members wear traditional academic regalia in line with historic academic dress codes. In sum: Hampden–Sydney emphasizes its heritage through distinctive gray graduation gown color, garnet tassels, and a hood lined in the college’s colors; however, cord and stole color details come from campus-recognized groups or external regalia vendors rather than public college-wide policy.

Hampden–Sydney College Academic Regalia — Cap, Gown & Hood Set

Search-friendly focus: academic regalia, graduation gown color, graduation cap, tassel set, honor cords, stoles

Description

Celebrate graduation from Hampden–Sydney College with authentic academic regalia: a gray graduation gown, mortarboard cap, garnet-and-gray tassel, and a traditional black hood lined in garnet and gray.

Product Features

• Gray Bachelor’s Gown: Reflects Hampden–Sydney’s classic gown color rooted in tradition.
• Mortarboard & Tassel: Features a garnet-and-gray tassel institutionally worn and turned at Commencement.
• Hood Lining: Black hood with interior stripes in Hampden–Sydney’s garnet and gray for school pride.
• Field Velvet Facing: Velvet color on the hood denotes academic discipline (e.g., white for Arts, golden yellow for Science).
• Honor Adornments: Honor cords, stoles, and extra tassels are offered by campus organizations; colors vary by group.
• Faculty & Doctoral Regalia: Professors and platform officials wear full regalia, including velvet-faced gowns consistent with academic tradition.
• Optional Purchase: Graduation regalia is required to participate in Commencement, but purchasing is optional.

Tip: If you need cords or stoles for honors or specific majors, check with the campus organization or regalia vendor for exact color options — there’s no universal color chart posted by the college.

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