Ohio Wesleyan University

Ohio Wesleyan University confers degrees on multiple dates throughout the year (May, June, August, December) but holds its main Commencement ceremony once annually — traditionally on the Saturday before Mother’s Day. Graduates eligible to participate must complete the graduation application and meet credit/unit requirements by the published deadlines.

For participation in Commencement, OWU requires graduates to wear an academic regalia set: cap, gown, and tassel. The “Bachelor’s Degree Bundle” (cap, gown, and tassel) is available for purchase — cost listed as US $76.98 as per OWU’s online FAQ. The gowns and mortarboards (caps) are standardized: black gowns, and the cap worn flat on the head.

For advanced degree recipients (master’s, doctoral, if any), OWU follows formal academic‑regalia traditions: gowns with distinctive sleeves per degree level; and where applicable, hoods with lining and trim indicating the field of study.

Importantly: OWU publishes a subject‑based color‐chart in its 2025 Commencement Program indicating the “colors associated with different subjects” for tassels, hood bindings, and gown/trimmings. For example: Arts, Letters, Humanities = white; Business/Commerce = drab; Engineering = orange; Science = golden yellow; Education = light blue; Nursing = apricot; Theology = scarlet; among many others. Undergraduates and graduates whose discipline falls under these fields would wear tassel/hood trim colors according to that chart.

OWU allows honor cords or stoles, which are distributed by the relevant department, program or honor society — not by a uniform central policy.

In short: Ohio Wesleyan enforces a structured academic‑regalia system — cap, gown, tassel for all; hood and discipline-based color trim for degree fields; optional cords or stoles for honors or societies — following traditional academic‑dress conventions with clearly published color coding.

Ohio Wesleyan University Academic Regalia – Cap, Gown, Tassel & Hood (Graduation Essentials)

• Institution: Ohio Wesleyan University (OWU)
• Included Essentials: Graduation gown, mortarboard cap, tassel; for advanced‑degree candidates, hood with discipline‑specific trim per subject. ([owu.edu Commencement Program & FAQ])
• Subject‑Based Regalia Colors: Tassel and hood binding colors reflect the graduate’s field of study — e.g., Humanities = White, Business/Commerce = Drab, Engineering = Orange, Science = Golden Yellow, Education = Light Blue, Nursing = Apricot, Theology = Scarlet, etc. ([OWU Commencement Program])
• Honor & Recognition Accessories: Optional honor cords or stoles for students with honors distinction or membership in honor societies — provided by respective departments or societies. ([OWU Commencement FAQ])
• Ordering & Sizing: Cap & gown bundles available for purchase at OWU Campus Store; gown sizing based on height/weight; cap is one-size-fits-most. ([OWU Commencement FAQ])
• Use Cases: Appropriate for graduating students (undergraduate, graduate), faculty, or alumni attending OWU commencement or other formal academic events — also suitable for diploma photos, graduation memorabilia, or academic ceremonies.

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