Skidmore College

Skidmore College Commencement & Academic Regalia Summary

At Skidmore College, commencement unites graduates in a standard academic‑dress: all graduates wear a traditional black cap and gown. This uniform regalia visually binds the class together as they move from students to alumni.

To reflect individual paths, Skidmore allows personalization: graduates may wear sashes, hoods, stoles, and cords in a variety of colors that represent honors, academic field, participation in student organizations, diversity groups, study abroad, athletics, first‑generation status, and other achievements or affiliations. Hoods are used to distinguish between Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science — white‑trimmed for BA, golden‑yellow‑trimmed for BS.

For academic honors, colored cords indicate different categories: for example, red cords denote college‑wide honors (cum laude / magna / summa), purple cords signify departmental honors, while a spectrum of other colors (teal, blue, pink, green, gold, etc.) mark membership in honor societies, leadership, student service, or identity and support groups.

Students may also wear stoles representing cultural or identity groups, international background, first‑generation college status, athletics or service contributions. Some may choose decorative mortarboards, leis, or personalized embellishments — as part of Skidmore’s emphasis on individuality within the collective commencement tradition.

In short: Skidmore blends tradition and personal expression — a mandatory black cap and gown for all, plus optional hoods (for degree type), and a rich palette of cords, stoles, or accessories to celebrate academic accomplishment, affiliations and individuality at commencement.

Skidmore College Commencement & Academic Regalia Overview

• Cap & gown mandatory for all graduates – Skidmore College requires every graduate to wear a black academic gown and mortarboard cap in the commencement ceremony.
• Hood indicates B.A. vs B.S. – Hoods trimmed in white for Bachelor of Arts graduates; hoods trimmed in golden yellow for Bachelor of Science graduates.
• Honor cords for academic and organizational distinctions – Red cords for overall academic honors, purple cords for departmental honors; other cord colors (teal, blue, pink, green, gold, etc.) denote honor‑society membership, leadership, diversity or student‑life involvement.
• Stoles & personal adornments encouraged – Stoles representing cultural heritage, first‑generation status, athletics, international background, or club membership are permitted; graduates often personalize caps or gowns to reflect their journey.
• Suggested listing text – “Skidmore College official graduation cap & gown set: black gown and mortarboard; hooded gown for B.A/B.S.; optional cords or stoles to highlight honors, identity or campus‑life accomplishments.”

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