Radford University

Radford University Spring & Winter Commencement Ceremonies – Cap, Gown & Academic Regalia Overview

At Radford University, commencement ceremonies require graduates to wear formal academic regalia — including a graduation gown, graduation cap (or tam), and hood as appropriate. Graduates purchase their cap, gown and tassels sets from the university bookstore.

???? Undergraduate & Graduate Regalia
Undergraduate students wear a mortarboard cap with a tassel. The tassel begins on the right side and is moved to the left when the degree is officially conferred during the ceremony. Graduate students participating in the hooding ceremony wear gowns and hoods — typically with the velvet headpiece (tam) and hood appropriate for their advanced degree. Stoles and cords representing honors, student organizations or achievements may also be worn.

Honors Tassel, Cords & Stoles
Students eligible for an honors tassel receive notification from the Registrar’s Office. Honor cords or stoles — symbolizing academic distinction or affiliation — are optional and represent accomplishments or memberships. Multiple cords or stoles may be worn together, provided they comply with the academic regalia guidelines.

Faculty Regalia
Faculty, administrators, and staff participating in the commencement procession also wear academic regalia. Rental “master’s” and “doctorate” bundles are available via the campus bookstore or through custom ordering. Their regalia includes appropriate gowns, tams or mortarboards, and hoods denoting their academic credentials and discipline — following traditional academic dress codes.

Why It Matters
The combination of graduation gown, cap, academic regalia, tassels, honor cords and stoles reflects the achievements and identity of each graduate. These visual elements make commencement a memorable celebration, symbolizing academic accomplishment and the transition to the next stage of life.

Radford University Academic Regalia – Cap, Gown, Tassels & More

Radford University requires formal academic regalia — graduation gown, cap (mortarboard or tam), hood (for graduate degrees), tassel, and optional honor cords or stoles — for all commencement ceremonies.

This official regalia set supports all degree levels — bachelor, master, or doctoral — and is customizable to reflect academic honors, student organizations, or discipline-specific traditions. While the gown itself remains classic black, tassels, cords and stoles may vary in color depending on discipline, honors status or campus unit. Because Radford University’s public commencement pages do not publish a detailed color-code chart by discipline, customers should verify their specific hood, tassel and stole colors with the campus bookstore or their college. ????

Why this Regalia Set Matters

• Tradition & formal compliance: Fully meets Radford University’s commencement requirements for cap, gown, and hood/tam.
• Flexible for any degree level: Whether you’re graduating with a bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral degree, or are faculty, this set adapts to your needs.
• Customizable honor cords & stoles: Ideal for recognizing GPA honors, student-organization membership, club service, or departmental achievements.
• Quality & readability: The classic black gown highlights any colored hood or cord, ensuring your academic achievement stands out in photographs and during the ceremony.

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