Hillsdale College

Hillsdale College’s commencement ceremony follows traditional academic procession and degree conferral. Reports from college publications describe faculty and graduates wearing academic regalia including gowns, hoods, and caps.

According to a public 2016 commencement summary, students graduating “with honors” may wear a white stole (for cum laude / magna / summa) and the top‑honors recipients (valedictorian / salutatorian) wear a gold honor stole.

The “honor cords” worn by graduates at Hillsdale signal membership in discipline‑based organizations or academic honorary societies.

For faculty and advanced‑degree holders (or certain special programs) the academic regalia includes gowns with distinctive sleeves and velvet facings or embroidery to mark degree level, and hoods whose colors indicate academic discipline.

Historically (per the registry of academic costume), Hillsdale’s hood lining color has been identified as a shade of blue with a white chevron — though sources vary over time in naming (“Presbyterian blue”, “royal blue” plus white trim) due to changes in institutional colors and registration corrections.

Hillsdale College Graduation Regalia — Cap, Gown & Optional Honor/Stole/Hood

Celebrate your academic achievement with a graduation cap and gown set inspired by Hillsdale College commencement traditions. This academic regalia includes:

• Classic academic gown
• Mortarboard graduation cap (or Oxford velvet cap for doctoral candidates)
• Graduation tassel (neutral, customizable)

Optional add-ons to honor your achievement or affiliation:

• White honor stole — for Latin‑honors graduates (cum laude / magna / summa), per Hillsdale honors tradition
• Gold honor stole — for valedictorian / salutatorian (top honors)
• Honor cords — for graduating members of discipline‑based or academic honorary societies (as recognized by Hillsdale custom)
• Academic hood & discipline‑trimmed gown — for advanced‑degree holders or faculty / doctoral candidates

Important Disclaimer: Hillsdale College does not currently publish a full, up‑to‑date public chart specifying tassel colors, hood linings, or cord colors by discipline or major. This listing offers a traditional regalia base — cap, gown, and neutral tassel — compatible with documented Hilldale honor stoles; please verify any custom color accessory with Hillsdale College directly before purchase.

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