Sterling College (Vermont) Commencement & Academic Regalia Summary

Sterling College in Craftsbury, Vermont, hosts a thoughtful and intimate commencement ceremony that reflects its mission of ecological thinking and close‑knit community. According to the student handbook, graduates are required to wear academic regalia including a cap and gown. In the week leading up to the ceremony, students can pick up their regalia after confirming they’ve met graduation fee requirements.

The publicly available Sterling College documents do not specify a particular graduation gown color, nor do they mention discipline‑based hood colors, tassel shades, or velvet trim. Despite the absence of a formal color‑coding policy, standard cap and gown sets are expected, suggesting a modest and uniform approach to academic dress. The graduation cap is likely the traditional mortarboard style, given that’s the common academic cap in such ceremonies.

Regarding honor cords and stoles, Sterling College’s publicly shared student handbook and commencement information lack any defined color system or list of approved cords or stoles for academic honors, student groups, or societies. There is no mention of Latin honors cords either. Instead, Sterling emphasizes its Honors Program through a distinctive Honors Medallion awarded to graduates who complete the program’s requirements.

Faculty participating in commencement wear standard academic robes, but the college does not publish detailed guidance about hood linings or custom faculty regalia colors. Given Sterling’s focus on simplicity, environmental values, and community, their commencement regalia tradition appears to be understated, meaningful, and aligned with the college’s mission rather than flashy or overly ornamental.