Pacific Lutheran University requires that all graduation candidates participating in commencement wear approved academic regalia: a black graduation gown, black cap, and a black tassel.
Graduate (Master’s/Doctoral) candidates additionally wear a black hood lined with gold to represent PLU, with the hood’s trim color corresponding to their particular degree.
Regalia ordering is managed by the University: a “Grad Fair” is held each year (for example mid‑May 2026) where graduates pick up their cap, gown, hood (if applicable), and tassel prior to commencement.
For graduates who achieve honors (such as Latin‑honors thresholds like cum laude, magna cum laude, or summa cum laude), PLU provides a special “Graduation Honors Cord” — a three‑color cord (black, gold, and white) to be worn over the gown. Additional adornments are permitted as well: students may wear approved honors cords or pins tied to institutional honors, and they may also include religious or cultural apparel items as part of their regalia.
Students are allowed to decorate their mortarboard cap, provided the decorations remain flat and do not obstruct other people’s view.
In summary: Pacific Lutheran University enforces a structured commencement process requiring official academic regalia (cap, gown, tassel, hood if applicable). The standard gown and cap are black; graduate‑hood lining is gold with degree‑specific trim. Honors graduates wear a distinctive black‑gold‑white cord. While PLU offers an established palette and clear guidelines, there is no publicly published code detailing a full color chart for all possible disciplines or honor cords/stoles beyond these basics.
Official academic‑regalia set for Pacific Lutheran University commencement ceremonies. Includes mortarboard graduation cap, classic black gown, and black tassel. Graduate students receive a degree‑appropriate hood. Honors graduates may wear the PLU Honors Cord.
Note: To confirm the exact colors of the graduation gown, cap, tassel, honor cords, and stoles for your specific program at Pacific Lutheran 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.