In addition to the traditional cap and gown regalia, students may wear graduation stoles and honor cords to signify achievement through or membership in College organizations. Graduation stoles and honor cords must be in keeping with the decorum of the event and the following guidelines:
Graduation Stole - The Graduation Stole is a decorative vestment worn by students who are members of college organizations for the purpose of recognizing membership or achievement.
Honor Cords - An Honor Cord is a token consisting of twisted cords with tassels on either end. Their wearing signifies specific academic achievement or membership in a Saint Mary’s recognized academic honor group or society. Honor cords will be provided by the Office of Academic Affairs for students graduating with Kappa Gamma Pi honors.
All of the following may be worn at Commencement: honor cords (for honor societies), the medals given to Presidential Scholars, and one approved graduation stole recognizing membership and achievement in College organizations. If you have more than one, you will need to choose which one to wear.
Approved stoles
- Alpha Lambda Delta- First Year Student Honorary
- Band (ND)
- Dance Marathon (SMC)
- Education Department
- Engineering Program
- Folk Choir (ND)
- Monogram Club (ND)
- Mu Kappa Tau - National Marketing Honor Society
- Multi- Ethnic Stole
- National Society of Leadership and Success
- National Student Speech Language Hearing Association
- Political Science – Washington Semester (SMC)
- Residence Hall Association (SMC)
- Residence Life
- Sisterhood of Service (SMC)
- Student Athlete (SMC)
- Student Nurses Association
- Study Abroad (SMC)
- Tocqueville Fellowship - Constitutional Studies (ND)