Commencement is a day that recognizes and celebrates cherished traditions and long-standing ceremonies of our esteemed College. Below you will find explanations of the traditions, symbols, and ceremonial items used in today's ceremony.
The Presidential Chain of Office
The Chain of Office is one of the oldest symbols of leadership, tracing back to the Middle Ages. The practice of presenting a Chain of Office to educational leaders began with the rise of the university system in Europe. As colleges and universities were founded in this country’s early days, a number of institutions of higher learning adopted the same Chain of Office tradition that was begun by their European counterparts. In the modern world, this custom continues to serve as a symbol of the institution’s proud history, cherished traditions, and promising future. The Georgetown College Presidential Chain of Office includes the names of President Jones and each former president of the College.
The Tradition of Academic Regalia
The formal academic dress worn today originated in the universities of the Middle Ages when a warm gown and hood were useful for scholars and clerics in unheated buildings. The distinctive gown also served to set the student apart from his fellow citizens, hence the perennial designation of “town and gown.” Until after the Civil War, students in most American universities wore caps and gowns daily while in residence. These varied in design until they were standardized by the American Intercollegiate Commission in 1894. At that time it was decided that all robes would be black: Bachelors’ gowns would be made of worsted fabric with pointed sleeves; Masters’ gowns would be made of silk with long, closed sleeves; doctors’ gowns would be made of silk with longer sleeves and faced with black velvet from hem to neck and across the back. Doctors’ gowns also carry three velvet bars around each sleeve above the elbow. The mortar boards of bachelors and masters carry the black tassel; the gold tassel is reserved for holders of doctoral degrees. The lining of the hood carries the colors of the university which granted the degree. The border of the hood indicates the academic discipline in which the degree was earned.
| White: arts and letters, including journalism |
Scarlet: theology |
| Purple: law | Green: medicine |
| Dark Blue: philosophy | Golden Yellow: science |
| Brown: architecture and the fine arts |
Pink: music |
| Lilac: dentistry | Orange: engineering |
| Olive Green: pharmacy | Drab: business |
| Lemon: library sciences | Light Blue: education |
| Peacock Blue: international affairs | Citron: social work |
Description of the Mace
Academic processions are led by a marshal bearing the ceremonial staff called the mace. In ancient days the mace was carried for protection, since town and gown relations in the medieval university centers were often far from tranquil, but over the years it has come to symbolize the authority of the faculty over its academic program. Our mace, crafted from walnut and adorned with the College Seal, was created by Dr. Frank Wiseman, Professor Emeritus of Chemistry. The mace is traditionally carried by the Chair of Faculty. This year that honor belongs to Dr. Tracy Livingston, Professor of Biology.
The Georgetown College Seal
Sigillum Collegii Georgetonensis means “Seal of Georgetown College.”
Respice Finem means “Consider (or reflect on) the goal.”
The Book represents the search for knowledge.
The Cross indicates the fact that Christ and Christian faith are both the
foundation and purpose behind the institution.
The Greek Building represents culture.
The Crown represents a perfectly balanced combination of learning,
culture, and religion, which carries its own reward of success.
The Sun represents the dawn of a golden age for which humanity has always
striven and which is one of the goals of human endeavor.