ACADEMIC REGALIA

The origins of the present-day cap, gown, and hood lie in traditions dating back 600 years. In the early years of European universities, the everyday dress of students and teachers was the garb of the cleric, academic pursuits being then the province of the church. Over the centuries, students at particular colleges came to adopt special colors to distinguish themselves, and gradually different colors came to be associated with certain ranks, degrees, and faculties.

In 1895, a degree of standardization in academic costuming was reached in the United States by the Intercollegiate Commission, though many European universities continue to use distinctive caps and gowns differing from those worn in this country.

Gowns

Gowns are now customarily black, with a few noteworthy exceptions. Holders of the doctorate from Harvard may wear crimson gowns; Cornell, Princeton, Radcliffe, and Yale have distinct combinations of colors incorporated into their gowns. Skidmore’s trustees, in honor of the College colors, wear green gowns with yellow trim.

Bachelor’s gowns, designed to be worn closed, have long, pointed sleeves and no adornment. Master’s gowns, also unadorned, may be worn open or closed and have oblong sleeves, open at the wrist. Doctor’s gowns have bell-shaped sleeves, may be worn open or closed, and are faced on the front with black velvet, which also appears in three bars on each sleeve.

Hoods

The bachelor’s hood is three feet long, the master’s three and one-half feet, and the doctor’s four feet; the width of the velvet trimming on these hoods is two, three, and five inches. The color of the trim indicates the discipline in which the wearer’s highest degree was awarded, while the color combination in the lining indicates the institution from which the degree was earned. Skidmore graduates receiving the Bachelor of Arts degree wear hoods trimmed on the outside in white, the color signifying the arts. Those earning the Bachelor of Science degree have hoods with golden-yellow trim, representing the sciences. All graduates’ hoods are lined in yellow and white, Skidmore’s traditional colors; the hoods of trustees are also yellow and white.

Distinctive Cords

As part of their academic regalia, Skidmore graduates who have earned College honors wear red cords, and those who have earned departmental honors don purple ones. Officers of the Student Government Association display gold cords, while officers of the senior class wear white ones. Campus spirit is also marked by cords: Seniors’ participation in certain support and community-building activities earned points toward a green and gold senior cord.

Traditional Colors

Skidmore faculty members represent many fields of learning — for example:

Arts, Letters, Humanities

Business Administration

Commerce, Business,

Accountancy

Economics

Education

Fine Arts

Library Science

Music

Philosophy

Physical Education

Science

Social Work

White

Sapphire Blue

Yellow-Brown

Copper

Light Blue

Brown

Lemon

Pink

Royal Blue

Sage Green

Golden Yellow

Citron

Caps are generally black and of the mortarboard type. Regalia of all degree levels may include black tassels, but holders of the doctorate and governing officials of colleges and universities may wear gold tassels.

The Presidential Medallion

In 1987, Skidmore introduced a new element to its academic regalia: a presidential medallion and chain created in honor of then-retiring President Joseph C. Palamountain Jr. The piece was created by the late Earl Pardon, a world-renowned jeweler who retired from the Skidmore faculty in 1989. Each of the 52 rectangles of the chain is individually designed, using gold of various hues, silver with enamel, abalone shell, ebony, ivory, and semiprecious stones. Hanging from the chain is the presidential medallion, which bears an abstract “S.”

The Centennial Mace

The office of mace bearer, now purely symbolic, dates back to medieval England. In Colonial America, the mace became a symbol of office when it was used in conjunction with academic regalia. The Skidmore mace is carried by the Grand Marshal, selected each year from among the College’s senior faculty. The Skidmore mace was created to commemorate the College’s centennial and was first used in 2003 at the presidential installation of Philip A. Glotzbach. The mace is a walnut staff with two bronze seals, one reproduction of the official seal of Skidmore College and the other a likeness of Lucy Skidmore Scribner, the College’s founder.

Degree Candidates

The names listed represent students who have completed, or are expected to complete by August 31, all academic requirements for the degree. Those expected to complete their academic requirements by August 31 are marked with an asterisk. Those who completed their academic requirements this past January are marked with a double asterisk. Students who have not met all other requirements (including academic integrity and social integrity obligations) may have their diplomas withheld.

College and departmental honors are awarded to August candidates upon completion of all requirements and determination of final grade-point averages.

Flag Lapel Pins

Students from the Class of 2023 studied abroad in 35 different countries. Degree candidates who participated in a domestic or international off-campus program through Skidmore College are wearing the flags of the host nations where they studied.