COMMENCEMENT SYMBOLS

THE MACE

The hand-carved mace incorporates the features of the Butler seal in a symbolic creation that captures the strength and character of Butler University. Carved from Indiana walnut, the mace includes the torch, which symbolizes light and learning; the name of the University, its location, and year of founding; and a ring of figures representing each college. The chief faculty marshal uses the mace to open and close academic ceremonies.

GONFALONS

The Butler University gonfalons are modeled on processional banners that originated in the medieval states of Italy. Butler’s six gonfalons represent the schools that comprise Butler University: College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, College of Education, Lacy School of Business, College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Jordan College of the Arts, and College of Communication.

THE PRESIDENTIAL CHAIN of OFFICE The chain of office symbolizes the authority vested in the president by the Board of Trustees. In 1962 the Alumni Association gifted the original chain of office to the University. In December 2012, a new chain was commissioned as a gift to the University by Trustee Gary D. Butkus ’88 and College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences faculty member Jason T. Range JD PhD. The silver chain contains the same college symbols as the mace and bears the names of the distinguished persons who have served as presidents of Butler University. Suspended from the chain is the University seal encased in laurel, symbolizing the triumph of learning.

ACADEMIC SYMBOLISM

The use of caps, gowns, and hoods in commencement ceremonies has been continuous since colonial times. The custom descends from the Middle Ages, when education was a function of religious organizations. Today’s academic garb resembles medieval clothing worn by the clergy. Caps were a necessity in cold churches; capes with attached hoods were also needed for warmth.

The color, trimming, and lining of the hoods worn in commencement ceremonies indicate the school from which a degree was granted. Generally, hoods increase in size from the bachelor’s hood to the doctoral’s.

At Butler, the color of the tassel on a graduate’s cap indicates the discipline studied. The color code is as follows:

Black: Associate Degree Candidates from any discipline Brown: Art + Design, Arts Administration, Creative Writing, Dance, Dance Arts Administration, Dance Pedagogy, Dance Performance, Theatre Citron: Anthropology, Anthropology and Psychology, Criminology, Criminology and Psychology, Sociology, Sociology and Criminology, Sociology and Psychology Copper: Economics Dark blue: Peace and Conflict Studies, Philosophy, Philosophy and Psychology, Philosophy and Religion, Political Science, Political Science and Psychology Drab: Accounting, Business Administration, Entrepreneurship and Innovation, Finance, International Business, Management, Management Information Systems, Marketing, Risk Management and Insurance Gold: Actuarial Science, Astronomy and Astrophysics, Biochemistry, Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Environmental Studies, Mathematics, Physics, Psychology, Science, Technology and Society, Software Engineering Green: Health Sciences, Healthcare and Business, Physician Assistant