Reading Area Community College

Reading Area Community College Commencement & Academic Regalia Overview

Reading Area Community College holds its annual commencement ceremony— for 2025, the event is scheduled for Friday, May 9 at the Santander Arena in Reading, PA. Eligible graduates must apply for graduation by the published deadline to have their name appear in the Commencement program.

RACC provides a cap and gown (and tassel) free of charge for graduates who register through the “Cap and Gown” tab on the RACC website; there is no cost for official cap/gown when ordered before the deadline. Graduates pick up their regalia at a pre‑Commencement “Graduation Fair” (e.g. mid‑April) or may contact the bookstore for alternate pickup or shipping if needed. Caps and gowns will not be distributed at the ceremony venue, so graduates must bring their own regalia to the arena.

Official RACC publicly available commencement or handbook documents do **not** include any color‑chart or policy specifying tassel, hood, stole or honor‑cord colors by academic discipline, degree level, or honors status. A review of the 2025 Commencement Booklet and RACC graduation pages shows no listing of official stoles or cords tied to majors or honors.

That absence suggests that RACC uses a **standard neutral cap, gown, and tassel** for all graduates regardless of major or credential. Any extra adornments—such as honor cords, stoles or hoods—would likely come from external honor societies, student organizations, or individual initiative, rather than from a college‑mandated color scheme.

In summary: Reading Area Community College ensures equitable access to commencement by supplying free official regalia for graduates who apply. The regalia consists of a mortarboard cap, gown, and tassel. There is **no public official color‑code for tassels, stoles or honor cords** by discipline or honors — meaning a neutral, standard set is the default for all participants. Students who wish to wear cords or stoles may do so only if provided by external organizations or societies.

• Mortarboard cap, academic gown, and tassel — standard regalia compatible with RACC’s commencement dress code.
• Classic black gown and cap design — uniform base across all majors and credentials, since RACC does not publish discipline‑color regalia.
• Optional accessory‑ready — compatible with external honor cords or stoles for students affiliated with honor societies or organizations.
• One‑size fits all credential levels — suitable for associate‑degree, certificate, or diploma graduates.
• Ceremony‑ready and photo‑ready — ideal for graduation procession, diploma conferral, graduation photos, and keepsake display.

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