Lyon College’s commencement is a time-honored campus tradition that formally recognizes bachelor’s, graduate, and professional degree recipients in a spring (and occasional fall) ceremony featuring processions, keynote addresses, and degree conferrals. The college stages a baccalaureate and commencement sequence where graduates, faculty, and trustees participate in ceremonial processions across campus, reinforcing Lyon’s community and traditions.

Academic regalia at Lyon College follows established U.S. academic dress conventions. Graduates are expected to wear the classic graduation gown and graduation cap (mortarboard) with a coordinating tassel as the foundational cap-and-gown set for procession and stage recognition. Doctoral candidates and certain institutional officers may wear more elaborate robes and tams that include velvet facings and distinctive trims. These garments visually signal degree level and academic achievement during the ceremony.

Honor distinctions complement the basic cap and gown. Lyon College awards Latin honors based on cumulative GPA thresholds (Cum Laude, Magna Cum Laude, Summa Cum Laude), and eligible graduates typically wear honor cords or stoles to display scholastic distinction. In addition, Lyon hosts multiple national and campus honor societies — each with its own cord or stole colors — that permit authorized society regalia at commencement; students should confirm society color rules and college approval before ordering cords or stoles.

Faculty regalia at Lyon adheres to traditional academic customs: faculty members don robes and academic hoods that reflect their highest earned degrees and discipline colors, adding ceremonial gravitas to processions and degree conferrals. While Lyon’s public commencement materials do not publish a full discipline color chart for tassels and stoles, the college’s honor societies and graduate programs determine most accessory colors — and students are advised to consult Lyon’s commencement instructions and honor society leaders for precise cord and stole colors.

In practice, Lyon College commencement blends classic cap, gown, and tassel rituals with individualized academic distinctions via honor cords and stoles, creating a cohesive visual program that celebrates institutional identity and individual achievement. Graduates should order official regalia early and verify approved honor accessories to ensure compliance with Lyon College commencement policies and to present a unified, dignified appearance on graduation day.

Lyon College Official Academic Regalia – Cap, Gown & Accessories

• Graduation Gown & Cap – Classic academic attire for Lyon College commencement participants; includes mortarboard and graduation gown.
• Bachelor’s Tassel & Honor Cords – Graduation cap tassel included; honor cords and stoles denote Latin honors and society membership when approved.
• Master’s Tassel & Academic Dress – Tassel and gown set for graduate candidates; optional honor stoles or cords reflect academic recognition.
• Honor Stoles & Cords – Approved honor cords and stoles celebrate scholarly achievement alongside the academic gown.
• Faculty Academic Regalia – Faculty robes and hoods display discipline colors and scholarly degrees during commencement.
• Academic Cords & Accents – Honor cords and stoles enhance graduation attire to highlight achievement and affiliation.

Order your official Lyon College commencement academic regalia set now!

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