Wearing your department’s colors at graduation.

Wearing your department’s colors at graduation.

Graduation Traditions

WEARING YOUR DEPARTMENT’S COLORS AT GRADUATION.

Follow us for more dives into the traditions that shaped our Ivy League journeys.

Remember those final moments before commencement, the air thick with anticipation and that familiar mix of excitement and disbelief? Beyond the sea of black caps and gowns, a kaleidoscope of colors emerged, each representing years of dedicated study, late-night library sessions, and breakthroughs. That splash of crimson, the deep navy, the vibrant emerald – they weren't just fabric; they were the visual culmination of our chosen paths.

This subtle, yet profound, tradition of donning your department’s specific colors at graduation was more than an aesthetic choice. It was an embrace of identity, a nod to the specific community you belonged to within the broader, sprawling institution. It whispered stories of shared professors, inside jokes born in seminar rooms, and the unique intellectual journeys that defined our academic specializations. Did you find yourselves subtly admiring the different shades around you, recognizing fellow travelers from different disciplines?

It’s these academic rituals, often understated, that truly knit together the fabric of our university experiences. They mark milestones, foster a sense of shared heritage, and transform a sprawling institution into a collection of intimate, vibrant communities. Whether you proudly wore your colors or simply observed the tradition, it was undeniably a part of that grand finale. What did it mean to you? Share your memories below.

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