Northeastern Junior College Commencement & Academic Regalia Guide

Northeastern Junior College (NJC) in Sterling, Colorado celebrates its annual commencement with formal academic tradition that emphasizes scholarship, ceremony, and community pride. The college hosts two in‑person commencement ceremonies each May at the Bank of Colorado Event Center where graduates wear complete academic regalia including the classic graduation cap, traditional graduation gown, coordinated tassels, honor cords, and approved stoles that reflect both institutional values and individual achievement.

Bachelor Cap & Gown, Tassel, Honor Cord & Stoles Color

• Graduation gown color: NJC bachelor‑level and associate degree recipients wear standard black academic gowns, the foundation of traditional commencement attire.
• Graduation cap: Black mortarboard caps are paired with the gown as part of the required cap and gown sets purchased and kept by graduates from the NJC Bookstore.
• Tassel: Tassels accompany the cap and gown and are part of the visual academic regalia that signifies graduation tradition throughout the ceremony.
• Honor cord: NJC awards academic honors — Cum Laude, Magna Cum Laude, Summa Cum Laude — based on cumulative GPA. Honor cords in school or institution colors may be worn to recognize high scholastic achievement during commencement.
• Stoles color: Optional stoles approved by the institution may reflect membership in student organizations, leadership roles, or program distinctions, complementing the primary black graduation gown.

Master Cap & Gown, Tassel, Honor Cord & Stoles Color

• Graduation gown color: While NJC is primarily a two‑year college with associate degrees, any advanced or master‑level regalia follows the same classic black gown pattern to signify academic completion.
• Graduation cap and tassel: Advanced degree candidates wear coordinated mortarboard and tassel sets consistent with undergraduate regalia tradition.
• Honor cord: Honor cords for advanced academic recognition — such as highest GPA levels or specialized achievement — may be worn during commencement.
• Stoles color: Approved stoles reflecting academic or leadership distinction are optional and enhance the visual regalia set.

Cap & Gown, Tassel, Honor Cord & Stoles (General)

• Academic regalia: All graduates must wear official cap and gown sets to participate in the commencement procession and diploma conferral.
• Graduation gown color: The uniform black gown provides a cohesive look across degree types and ceremony sessions.
• Tassels sets: Tassels pair with the mortarboard to highlight academic tradition throughout the ceremony.
• Honor cords: Cords representing academic honors distinguish students who achieve specified GPA thresholds.
• Stoles: Optional stoles showcase student affiliations and accomplishments within and beyond the classroom during commencement.

Faculty Regalia Color

• Faculty regalia: NJC faculty wear traditional scholarly robes that represent their highest earned degrees, adding academic distinction and institutional pride to the commencement procession.

All Other Discipline Regalia Color

• Discipline regalia: Beyond the standard black gowns, approved cords or stoles associated with specialized programs, honors societies, or student leadership roles may feature unique colors, offering visual representation of academic identity and achievement during the ceremony.

Northeastern Junior College’s commencement ceremony spotlights traditional academic regalia — from graduation gown and cap to tassel sets, honor cords, and stoles — to honor student accomplishment in a historic academic celebration.