North Carolina Central University (NCCU) holds formal commencement ceremonies each academic year at which undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral candidates are recognized for completing degree requirements. NCCU graduates must obtain approved academic attire — including the classic black graduation gown, matching mortarboard graduation cap, and tassel — to participate in the commencement procession. Regalia is ordered through Herff Jones via links on the NCCU Bookstore, and diploma conferral occurs during the ceremony following the turning of the tassel.
The traditional graduation gown color at NCCU is black across undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral levels, with design variations: bachelor’s gowns have pointed sleeves; master’s gowns have oblong sleeves with a curve; and doctoral gowns include velvet facings and three chevrons on the sleeves. Hoods for graduate and doctoral candidates display the institutional lining — maroon and gray — while the velvet border color denotes the academic discipline.
Honor recognition is a meaningful part of NCCU commencement. Eligible graduates wear honor cords draped around the collar to signify academic achievement: gold for summa cum laude, purple for magna cum laude, and white for cum laude honours. These cords complement the cap, gown and tassels sets and visually highlight scholastic accomplishment during the ceremony. Stoles may also be worn by graduates involved in specific programs or organizations, though official stole colors often vary by department or honor society.
Faculty and academic leaders participating in the commencement wear traditional faculty regalia with academic gowns and hoods reflecting their highest degree and discipline. Faculty regalia colors — shown in the velvet trim of hoods or gown accents — represent fields such as education, sciences, business, and the humanities. Overall, NCCU’s commencement blends time‑honored academic traditions with distinctive visual recognition of individual achievement through tassels, cords, and stoles that enhance the academic regalia experience for graduates and guests alike.
North Carolina Central University (NCCU) holds formal commencement ceremonies each academic year to honor undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral candidates who complete degree requirements. Graduates must obtain approved academic regalia — including the classic black graduation gown, coordinating mortarboard graduation cap, and matching tassel — to participate in the academic procession and diploma conferral. All commencement participants are expected to wear full cap, gown and tassels sets that align with the university’s academic attire guidelines.
NCCU’s commencement atmosphere combines academic tradition with visually meaningful recognition of achievement. Graduates should order their cap, gown and tassel sets early and select approved honor cords and stoles to showcase both degree completion and personal scholastic success.
Note: To confirm the exact colors of the graduation gown, cap, tassel, honor cords, and stoles for your specific program at North Carolina Central University, 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.