Swarthmore College holds its annual commencement ceremony at the Mann Center in Philadelphia, where graduates wear traditional academic regalia including a graduation gown, cap, tassel, and hood as appropriate.
The standard graduation gown for Swarthmore graduates is black, in keeping with classic academic tradition. Undergraduates and master’s students wear a mortarboard cap, while doctoral participants wear a gown with velvet panels and bell-shaped sleeves.
Tassel color at Swarthmore is simple but meaningful: graduates earning a bachelor’s or a master’s degree wear a black tassel, while doctoral recipients and school leaders on stage wear a gold tassel, signaling their advanced or leadership status.
Hoods are a central part of Swarthmore’s academic dress for advanced degrees. The lining of the hood features the college’s own colors, and the velvet trim (border) on the hood indicates the scholar’s field of study: for example, white for arts and humanities, light blue for education, orange for engineering, golden yellow for science, purple for law, and dark blue for philosophy.
Swarthmore does not publicly provide a regular system of honor cords or stoles tied to GPA or honor societies. Its commencement website focuses on standard cap, gown, and hood regalia, rather than a broad catalog of cords or stoles.
Faculty participating in Swarthmore’s commencement wear academic regalia based on their highest‑earned degree institution. The college allows faculty to rent or supply their own hoods and robes, typically reflecting their terminal academic credential rather than a Swarthmore-specific color scheme.
In summary, Swarthmore College’s commencement attire emphasizes a dignified academic tradition: a black graduation gown, mortarboard cap or velvet doctoral gown, black or gold tassels based on degree level, and field‑color hoods that align with the graduate’s discipline. Honor cords and stoles are not prominently featured in the public regalia policy, so students should confirm any additional adornments with the College Store.
Mark your Swarthmore College graduation with this elegant academic regalia set crafted to mirror the College’s formal commencement tradition.
Note: To confirm the exact colors of the graduation gown, cap, tassel, honor cords, and stoles for your specific program at Swarthmore 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.