Trevecca Nazarene University Commencement & Academic Regalia Summary

Trevecca Nazarene University holds its commencement ceremonies annually, typically as two separate convocations: one for associate and bachelor’s degree candidates and another for master’s, specialist, and doctoral graduates. Ceremonies are conducted on campus and are open to family, friends, and the university community.

Graduates are required to wear official academic regalia provided by the university. Undergraduate students wear standard mortarboard caps, with tassels placed on the right side prior to degree conferral and moved to the left after degrees are conferred. The exact color of the gown is not explicitly stated in publicly available sources, but Trevecca’s brand colors include deep purple, dark gray, and white, which are likely reflected in the regalia.

For recognition of academic excellence, Trevecca awards honor cords to undergraduates with a GPA of 3.5 or higher, representing Latin honors such as Cum Laude, Magna Cum Laude, and Summa Cum Laude. Students who are members of Trevecca’s honor society, Phi Delta Lambda (PDL), receive an official pin to wear on their regalia during the ceremony. Stoles or sashes representing other honors or affiliations are not explicitly detailed in publicly available materials.

Faculty members wear robes corresponding to their highest earned degrees, often including hoods where appropriate, following standard academic regalia conventions.

Overall, Trevecca’s commencement and academic regalia program combines formal tradition and institutional identity. The regalia ensures a unified, dignified appearance for graduates, while honor cords and pins allow for recognition of individual academic achievements and participation in honor societies. This balance of uniformity and personal acknowledgment makes Trevecca’s ceremonies both ceremonial and celebratory, honoring students’ academic accomplishments and contributions to the university community.