Commencement Ceremony (Kent State University at Ashtabula) is conducted for graduating students who must RSVP by the campus‑specified deadline. Graduates wear traditional academic regalia; no paper tickets are issued for ceremony admission, and the event is often live‑streamed for guests unable to attend in person.

Cap, Gown & Tassel: All graduates must wear a black mortarboard cap and a black gown. The tassel colour is not generic — it is determined by the college or academic unit that awards the degree, reflecting the major or discipline. Graduates may purchase their regalia (cap, gown, tassel) via the regional campus bookstore (or through the vendor) before the published deadline (e.g. Oct 31) to avoid late‑fees or size limitations.

Honor Cords, Stoles & Hoods (Academic Regalia Colours): While the base cap and gown are uniform black, the academic hood’s velvet border (for master’s and doctoral‑level regalia) or tassel colour (for bachelor’s) denotes the graduate’s field of study. Each college within the university follows a defined colour code. For example:
– Arts & Sciences – Arts: White, Sciences: Golden Yellow
– Business (Ambassador Crawford College): Drab
– Education, Health & Human Services: Light Blue
– Nursing: Apricot
– Public Health: Salmon
– Technology: Orange
– Architecture & Environmental Design: Blue‑Violet
– Communication & Information (Arts/Fine Arts/Science): Crimson

Usage & Tradition: The academic robe system at Kent State mirrors the traditional American academic dress — black gown and mortarboard cap, with colour-coded tassels or hood borders signifying academic discipline. Additional adornments such as honor cords or stoles may be worn to signify honours or membership in honour societies, though these are supplemental and not formally part of the standard academic regalia code.

Kent State Ashtabula Commencement & Academic Regalia

Kent State University at Ashtabula conducts a formal commencement ceremony each academic year. All graduates must wear the official academic costume: a standard black graduation gown and black mortarboard graduation cap. The tassel or academic hood colour corresponds to the college or department awarding the degree.

Regalia by Degree Level

Bachelor’s Degree

• Black graduation gown
• Black mortarboard cap
• Discipline‑specific tassel (color per college)

Master’s / Doctoral Degree

• Black graduation gown
• Academic hood with velvet border indicating discipline
• Hood lining in school official colors (Kent State blue & gold)
• Standard cap (or tam for doctoral, if allowed) as per university code

Colour Code by Academic College / Discipline

• Architecture & Environmental Design: Blue‑Violet
• Arts & Fine Arts: Brown; Music: Pink
• Arts (Humanities): White; Sciences: Golden Yellow
• Business / Entrepreneurship: Drab
• Communication & Information – Arts/Fine Arts/Science: Crimson; Library Science: Lemon
• Education, Health & Human Services: Light Blue

Honor Cords, Stoles, and Additional Regalia

Graduates eligible for Latin honours, honor societies, or special recognitions may wear cords, stoles, or medallions in addition to the standard cap, gown, hood/tassel. These are supplementary and not part of the base academic regalia. The use of honor cords or stoles does not affect the discipline-based tassel/hood colour scheme.

Ordering & Deadlines

Cap, gown, and tassel (or full regalia packages) can be ordered through the Regional Campus Bookstore or designated vendor. Graduates are encouraged to order before the published deadline (e.g. October 31 for fall ceremonies) to ensure correct sizing and avoid late fees.

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