Robes
The academic regalia including robes, caps or mortarboards, and medallions found in most colleges and universities is derived from the academic and clerical dress common throughout the medieval universities of Europe.
The modern academic gown is a garment resembling a long black cape. In early medieval times, all students at the universities were required to wear the robes to class. The colors of velvet and piping on robes represent the degree or discipline of the wearer.
The hood was originally a functional garment, worn to shield the head from the elements. It has developed to an often bright and decorative garment worn only on special academic occasions. The interior lining of the hood displays the colors of the institution from which the wearer received a degree.
- Bachelor of Applied Science and Bachelor of Science graduates wear black gowns.
- Associate in Arts and Associate in Science graduates wear green gowns.
- Advanced Technical Certificate, Advanced Technology Diploma, and Career and Technical Certificate graduates wear navy blue gowns.
Presidential Chain of Office
The chain of office worn by the President is a celebration of the College’s history. From September 1948 to July 2010, the College was named Pensacola Junior College. In July 2010, the College became Pensacola State College. The large bronze medallion on the center of the chain is the College seal. The right side of the chain recognizes the past presidents of Pensacola Junior College, and the left side of the chain recognizes the current president of Pensacola State College.
The Mace
The ceremonial academic mace originated in 1385 at the University of Vienna. An academic mace is traditionally carried in ceremonial occasions at colleges and universities. In commencement exercises, the mace indicates the authority of the College’s president to confer degrees, certificates, and diplomas. The Pensacola State College mace was crafted by Mr. Fred Bond of Pensacola. To commemorate the history of the college, one side of the ornament at the top of the mace has the Pensacola Junior College seal which was taken into space aboard the Space Shuttle Discovery that was launched in April 2010, and commanded by deceased Alumnus Alan Poindexter. The other side of the ornament displays the seal of Pensacola State College.
Caps
The academic cap, commonly known as the mortarboard, is symbolic of academia. It is a flat square hat with a tassel suspended from a button in the top center of the board. Graduates wear the tassel on the left side. Holders of doctorates and the current and past chairs of the District Board of Trustees wear a rounded headpiece known as a Tudor bonnet or tam.
Academic Honors
All students are eligible for academic achievement recognition during the appropriate Commencement Ceremony. Grade point averages are based on all credit hours attempted at Pensacola State College combined with transfer credits from other institutions attended, including courses not used for the degree awarded.
Baccalaureate and associate degree students will graduate with honors according to three (3) honors categories:
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- Cum Laude will be awarded to students with a cumulative GPA of 3.50 – 3.74.
- Magna Cum Laude will be awarded to students with a cumulative GPA of 3.75 – 3.99.
- Summa Cum Laude will be awarded to students with a cumulative GPA of 4.0.
The determination of these three (3) Latin honors categories for the Commencement Ceremony is based on the cumulative grade point average at the end of the student’s last term of enrollment prior to the term of graduation. Students who have met the criteria for honors prior to their term of graduation will be eligible to wear honors cords at the Commencement Ceremony.
Career certificate students will graduate with honors according to two (2) honors categories:
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- Honors will be awarded to students with a cumulative GPA of 3.50 – 3.74.
- High Honors will be awarded to students with a cumulative GPA of 3.75 – 4.0.
The determination of these two (2) honors categories for the Commencement Ceremony is based on the cumulative grade point average at the end of the student’s last term of enrollment prior to the term of graduation. Students who have met the criteria for honors prior to their term of graduation will be eligible to wear honors cords at the Commencement Ceremony.
The commencement program is printed prior to the recording of final grades. For this reason, the commencement program, as well as eligibility to obtain honors cords from the bookstore, will be based on the cumulative grade point average achieved at the end of the term prior to the ceremony.
The transcript is the final and official record of a student’s standing at the time of graduation. A student meeting the honors criteria at the time of graduation and after the official analysis of eligibility for graduation will have the appropriate notation affixed to the official transcript and on the degree, certificate, or diploma awarded.
Stoles and Honor Cords
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- African American Student Association — green, red, and black honor cord
- Alpha Beta Gamma — gold stole
- Dental Hygiene — purple and white honor cord
- Kappa Delta Pi — teal and purple honor cord
- Military Veterans — red, white and blue honor cord
- National Technical Honor Society — purple stole and white and purple honor cord
- Phi Beta Lambda — blue and gold stole and honor cord
- Phi Theta Kappa — gold stole and blue and gold honor cord
- Presidential Scholarship Award — medallion with gold ribbon
- Robinson Scholars — gold stole
- Sigma Beta Delta — gold and green stole and honor cord
- Student Ambassadors — silver stole
- Student Government Association — blue stole
- TRIO Student Support Services — red and black honor cord
Contact the Graduation Staff at graduation@pensacolastate.edu with any questions.
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