CADEMIC REGALIA

The history of academic dress reaches back to the Middle Ages and the early days of the first universities. Those institutions were founded by the Church; and the students, being clerics, were obliged to wear their clerical gowns and caps for symbolic reasons (and probably for warmth, as well).

Through the ages, these costumes have changed to accommodate fashion and to identify the academic attainments and affiliations of the wearer. The once round cap has been transformed into a square mortarboard; and the cowl, originally attached to the gown and used interchangeably as a hood, a shoulder cape and a bag for the collection of alms, has become a separate colorful hood.

Academic dress no longer has religious significance, nor is it necessary for warmth. But it continues to reflect the level of the wearer’s academic degree, the field of study in which it was earned, and the institution which awarded it.

The cap, or mortarboard, is always black. The tassel is black or it may be the color of the major field of learning. Doctors and governing officials of institutions may wear gold tassels.

Gowns are usually black, but the way they are worn and their cut distinguishes the wearer’s academic degree. The bachelor’s gown is worn closed and its distinguishing characteristic is the long pointed sleeves. The master’s and doctor’s gowns may be worn open or closed. The master’s gown has oblong sleeves that are square in back and have an arc cut away in the front. The doctor’s gown is an elaborate costume marked by velvet panels down the front and around the neck. The bell-shaped sleeves are adorned with three velvet bars.

The hood is the most distinctive and symbolic feature of the costume. Its size and shape indicate the wearer’s degree; its satin lining displays the colors of the institution which awarded the degree; and its velvet collar reflects the color of the academic discipline.

Seafoam green is the color for Optometry and can be seen in the velvet trim of the hoods of the graduates. The satin lining of the hood is royal blue and gold, the colors of Southern College of Optometry.

Decorative cords of various colors may be worn by candidates who are graduating with honors. White reflects that the wearer is graduating cum laude, silver is for magna cum laude, and blue/gold signifies summa cum laude, the highest honor. Other honors include: royal blue worn by SGA and class officers; black and black/gold representing membership in Beta Sigma Kappa Honorary Scholastic Fraternity; and gold stoles embroidered with a black key is worn by members of Gold Key Honorary Optometric Society, the highest honor for leadership a student of optometry can achieve.

The mace is a heavy staff, carried by a dignitary as an ensign of his/her authority. The bearer leads the processional/recessional of the ceremony.

ounded in 1932, the college has built upon a remarkable history and produced some of the nation’s outstanding optometrists, a legacy that continues to flourish with each graduating class.

J. J. HORTON, M.D. Founder and President, 1932-1937

WILBURN R. CRAMER, M.D., D.O.S. President, 1937-1961

M. E. BROOME, PH.D. President, 1961-1965

SPURGEON B. EURE, O.D. ’54 President, 1965-1984

WILLIAM E. COCHRAN, O.D. ’68 President, 1984-2007

RICHARD W. PHILLIPS, O.D. ’78 President, 2007-2015

LEWIS N. REICH, O.D., PH.D. President