Commencement Regalia Information

Commencement Regalia

Order Your Cap & Gown

All students who attend the commencement ceremony must wear the black cap and gown appropriate to their degree – bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral graduates all have different regalia. Additionally, bachelor’s require a tassel that will be determined by their degree; master’s will require a black tassel and a hood that is determined by degree. You will not be allowed to participate in your designated commencement ceremony if you do not have the appropriate regalia to wear.

Bachelor’s and Master’s Graduates: The first opportunity to purchase regalia will be the Grad Kickoff on April 22 and 23 in the VU MPR from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. After that date, regalia will be available through the WWU AS Bookstore, both online and in person.

For questions about bachelor's and master's regalia, please contact Ash Voss at mccaula3@wwu.edu.

Doctoral Graduates:

Doctoral regalia has a separate ordering process. Please contact your advisors for more information and deadlines. AUD: Anna Diedesch at diedesa@wwu.edu EdD: Carola McGowan at mcgowac@wwu.edu.

Three cap and gown configurations for each degree type.

Bachelor's Degree

Bachelor's degree regalia has pointed sleeves. Tassel colors are determined by major.

Master's Degree

Master's degree regalia has oblong sleeves that hang down. Master's candidates are hooded at commencement with a specific hood determined by their degree. All tassels are black.

Doctoral Degree

Doctoral degree regalia has a longer gown with trim and a tam instead of a cap. Doctoral degree candidates (like master’s candidates) are hooded at commencement with their specific hood color as determined by their degree. Their tassels are gold.

Donate Your Cap & Gown

When you're done with your cap and/or gown, consider donating it to future WWU graduates. You can also pick up a donated cap and/or gown for your own ceremony. Learn more about the WWU Graduation Gown Donation Program.

Cords and Stoles

Graduates may be able to add cords and stoles to their regalia. The Stole of Gratitude is available from the Associated Students Bookstore, whereas many of the others are distributed by the associated program or department. Students eligible for honor cords will be contacted with instructions on how to pick these up.

View the options below for more information regarding options available at Western.

Light blue cords with tassels on the end.

Alpha Kappa Delta Cords

AKD is a honor society for Sociology students. The purpose of AKD is to acknowledge and promote excellence in the study of sociology, the research of social problems, and other social and intellectual activities that will lead to the improvement in the human condition. Currently, there are more than 120,000 members nationally. For more information, visit Alpha Kappa Delta.

Light blue stole worn over black graduation gown.

Alumni Stole of Gratitude

A stole of gratitude is worn by a graduate and then presented to someone who provided extraordinary help or support during the student’s college career. Immediately after graduation, the graduate may take a stole from around his/her neck and place it around the neck of the recipient. More than one stole may be worn during commencement, symbolizing that there are multiple people destined to receive this gift. For more information, visit the WWU Associated Students Bookstore graduation regalia page.

pink and white graduation cord

Behavioral Neuroscience Cords

The behavioral neuroscience major emphasizes an understanding of nervous system structure and function from the molecular/cellular level to the whole organism systems level. These “myelinated neuron” cords symbolize the transmission of knowledge, fundamental principles, and abilities our graduates possess to recognize the applicability of an education in neuroscience to real world settings and their lives post-graduation.

Maroon cord with DAC logos displayed on a wooden table.

Disability Affinity Cord

Disability affinity cords from the Disability Access Center and Disability Outreach Center are available to graduating students. Please complete the registration form and pick up your cord at the DisCo Celebration of Graduates and Awards Ceremony or email disability.outreach@wwu.edu for other arrangements.

Red stole with ESJ on one side of the stole.

Education & Social Justice (ESJ) Stoles

The ESJ minor program began in 2013. Since that time, program employees have hand-made graduate stoles. The stole represents completion of requirements while honoring student commitment to understanding and effectively using social justice frameworks to address equity issues in educational, nonprofit, public services, and private organizational settings.

White stole showing WWU logo and First-Gen logo

First-Generation

In 2021, WWU was nationally designated in 2021 by the Center for First-Generation Student Success as a First-gen Forward institution with a proud history of supporting “first in their family” students. Our first-generation students proudly wear this stole in recognition of their success.

Two students in black cap and gown wearing stoles depicting the Mexican and Chinese flags.

Office of Global Engagement Stole

Students participating in WWU’s International and Study Abroad program can wear stoles displaying the flags/color of their country of origin or the location of their study abroad courses. In an increasingly inter-connected world, WWU’s Office of Global Engagement aims to engage Western’s communities in thinking and acting globally. For more information, visit Education Abroad.

White stole with Linguistics spelled phonetically.

Linguistics Stole

Linguistics became a department in 2019. Our mission is to pursue the scientific investigation of language as a human phenomenon in its historical, psychological, and social dimensions. Our students significantly advance their appreciation of linguistic and cultural diversity.

light grey/silver (seal colored) cords

Marine Mammal Ecology Lab

As one of the largest research labs on campus, we work hard to maintain a close-knit community. Our observational studies require researchers to work together and navigate the often-unforgiving elements. These light grey/silver ("seal colored") cords are a well-deserved representation of the hard work and dedication demonstrated by our graduates and go out to those who have shown consistent contribution to furthering the scientific knowledge of marine mammal ecology.

Rainbow cords LGBTQ+ graduates

LGBTQ+ Cords

Western’s Pride Celebration includes a celebration of LGBTQ+ graduates and rainbow cords. These cords are available at the LGBTQ+ Western office in the Multicultural Center after Lavender Graduation.

White stole.

National Society for Leadership and Success-WWU Chapter (NSLS-WWU)

NSLS-WWU is a co-curricular AS club and leadership society which officially began at WWU in 2016, and is affiliated with the LEADS student leadership program and the Karen W. Morse Institute for Leadership. Students must be fully inducted (completed their orientation, DISC leadership inventory, leadership training, three peer success network (SNT) team meetings with documentation submitted and approved, and three speaker broadcasts) in order to qualify for any of the above graduation items.

Teal blue cord and WWU Pre-Med Club sweatshirt

Pre-Med Club

For the Pre-Med Club we want to honor our officers for their hard work, the connections they have built, and the skills they have gained by being in a leadership role. Leadership roles are not easy and that hard work deserves to be honored and seen my everyone with this cord.

Light purple cord

Pre-Veterinary Club

The Pre-Veterinary Club’s mission is to enable Western students interested in veterinary medicine to join a welcoming community and gain information about current career options, ethics, and research within the veterinary field, as well as the requirements and expectations of veterinary schools in order to prepare students for the veterinary school application process. We strive to promote interaction between students and veterinarians within the community, encouraging students to experience many different aspects of the veterinary field. 

White stole with Western logo on one side and the American flag stitched onto the other side.

Veteran Stoles and Cords

Graduates wearing white veteran stoles at commencement identify the student veterans graduating. These students are honored for their academic accomplishments and their service to our country. Red, white, and blue cords represent students who are dependents of veterans graduating - whether that be children or spouses of veterans.

Baby blue cords

Vikings' Ice Hockey Club

The WWU Vikings Hockey Graduation Cord honors students who have made a significant impact on the WWU Hockey program, both on and off the ice. This cord recognizes the dedication, hard work, and passion of players and outstanding interns who have contributed to the team's success. The baby blue cord color represents the unity and spirit of the WWU Vikings Hockey team.

Eligibility: (1) Must be a graduating student at Western Washington University. (2) Must have been an active player or intern who made a meaningful contribution to the program for at least one full season.

This cord symbolizes the commitment, perseverance, and community that define WWU Vikings' Ice Hockey. Wear it with pride as you celebrate your achievements and lasting impact on the team!

Waterski Team Cords

Waterski Team Cords

The Waterski Team cords honor our skiers who have qualified for nationals at any point in their collegiate careers. It is honorable to go and represent not only Western Washington University but also the West Coast Region. For that reason we would like to honor our skiers for their great accomplishments.

Blue and green commencement cord

Biology Department Leadership Cord

The Biology Department honors Biology Student Ambassadors and Lead Peer Mentors for their hard work and contributions to the department and student success with a leadership cord. They have helped build connections, worked to find new ways to engage with students, and piloted a new peer mentoring program.

Striped stole and BSC seal

Black Student Coalition Stoles

Celebrating graduating students with Kente Cloth stoles and alumni pins for all graduates, as well as cords for graduating BSC student staff members and BSC club leaders. For questions or to pick up your stole, contact Nia Gipson, gipsonn@wwu.edu.

BRC blue cord with enamel pin in package.

Blue Resource Center - Cords

Celebrating our graduates in Blue Group and at the Blue Resource Center! Welcome to all, including those who identify as undocumented, mixed-student family students, and allies. Contact cuaresq@wwu.edu or mss.brc@wwu.edu to inquire about participating in the celebration and/or picking up a BRC cord and butterfly pin!

C2C cord featuring blue and green

Compass 2 Campus

Compass 2 Campus's (C2C) mission is to increase access to higher education for students in Whatcom and Skagit counties who have been historically excluded from higher education by providing low-income and Black, Indigenous, and students of color with trained college student mentors.

Each year, C2C places between 600 and 800 college student mentors and employs 40 Western students. Support for student leaders to develop peer mentoring and leadership skills is part of the program’s commitment to college success as well as college access.  

Learn more about the C2C Mentoring Program

ESC cord

Ethnic Student Center (ESC) Cords and Pins

The ESC at WWU is a community space that supports historically underrepresented ethnic students and allies by providing a social atmosphere and inclusive environment to engage in identity exploration and strive for cultural awareness and academic excellence. The ESC provides cords and alumni pins for graduating students.

Gold and white cords with tassels.

Honor Cords

Gold honor cords designate students graduating with magna cum laude or cum laude. Magna shall be awarded to students whose honor gpa places them at the 97th percentile or higher among graduating seniors. Cum laude shall be awarded to students whose honor gpa places them at the 92nd-96th percentile among graduating seniors. White cords are dedicated to students completing all of the requirements of the University Honors Program.

Dark green cord and WWU Kin Club sweatshirt

Kinesiology Club

For the Kinesiology Club, we want to honor our officers for their hard work, the connections made, and the ability to find new ways to get students engaged in their future fields of practice. We would like to honor our officers in the leadership role with this cord. Their hard work deserves to be seen by everyone. 

La Plaza stoles

La Plaza Graduation Stoles

Honoring all graduating students while celebrating and centering the Latine experience. La Plaza stoles will be available for graduating students. Everyone is welcome to join this celebration of achievement and community! For questions or to pick up your stole, contact Rodrigo.Gonzalez-Juarez@wwu.edu.

Green cords wrapped in a spiral

Learning Environment Action Discovery (LEAD)

Learning Environment Action Discovery (LEAD) is a student-run restoration program in the College of the Environment. Since our founding in 1993, LEAD has continued to improve habitat in and around the WWU campus to provide ecological, social, and educational benefits to our community. To honor our hundreds of annual volunteers, we would like to provide our graduating seniors with a cord representing their service. Whether you've volunteered a few times or across multiple years, please email us at LEAD@wwu.edu if you are interested in receiving a cord from us.

Pink cords

NeRDS Leadership

The NeRDS club honors the commitment and leadership of their graduating officers at commencement with pink cords. The Neuroscience Research Driven Students (NeRDS) are a student-led club that discusses neuroscience research and provides brain outreach to WWU and schools around the Bellingham community. Their hard work and proactive community engagement are worthy of this special recognition.

Orange stole with BSN stitched onto one side.

Nursing Stoles Bachelor of Nursing Stoles

The RN to BSN program at WWU began in 2013 with a mission to advance excellence in nursing practice by inspiring nurses to develop their full potential through lifelong learning. Faculty, staff, and student honor diversity, uphold social justice and advance system changes that promote healthy communities resulting in safe, high quality health care for all.

White stole with blue outline that reads WWU Student Ambassadors with Western logo

Student Ambassador Stoles - Western Foundation

Student Ambassadors embody, represent, and share the meaningful impact of philanthropy on behalf of the WWU Foundation and President. Gifts from alumni, parents and friends are critical to advance student success. This team is a collection of students from all colleges and walks of life who actively share their passion, pride and gratitude for those who support the Western community. These stoles indicate they have fulfilled their commitments to the program and thereby helped advance Western. For more information, visit WWU Student Ambassadors.

Fuchsia cord on Campus Rec sweatshirt

Wade King Student Recreation Center

For the Wade King Student Recreation Center student staff, we would like to honor their hard work. They have become the backbone to this facility. Their energy, communication, and thinking skills play into their academic achievements. We would like to thank our student staff with these cords for all the work they have done and all the skills they will take with them into their future careers. 

White stole with blue outline that reads Leader Corps on one side and the Western Mountain logo on the other side.

Western’s Leadership Advantage (LEADS) Stoles

LEADS provides opportunities to students including courses, trainings, events, and participation in collaborative learning experiences on and off campus. LEADS is committed to developing leaders who are ethical, attuned to developing social entrepreneurship skills, and creating solutions for environmental and social sustainability.

Gold and black cords

Wrestling Club Cords

The Wrestling Club cords honor our members who qualified for Nationals at any point in their collegiate career at Western. It is an honorable feat to reach the status of an NCWA National Championship Qualifier. Within that, we believe they deserve praise when they complete their time at Western. Those who earn this cord will wear the colors of our governing body, gold and black.

Red and white cords.

Western's Disaster Risk Reduction Cord

In 2011, the DRR minor became a way for students to understand and address the causes of disaster. Students explore how environmental disturbances impact vulnerable communities and how socio-political and historical processes in these communities create inequitable outcomes. Students that have successfully completed the DRR minor requirements may wear the DRR cord at graduation. It is a marker of their achievement and a reminder that they can support vulnerable communities in reducing disaster risk by addressing social and environmental injustice through planning, policy, advocacy, and education.

Tassel Color Guide

Display of colored tassels

Each college displays a specific tassel color, listed below.
 

College of Business and Economics - Nugget

Woodring College of Education

  • Education - Light Blue
  • Nursing - Apricot
  • Human Services - Citron

College of Fine and Performing Arts

  • Art/Art History - White
  • Design - White
  • Music - Pink
  • Theater/Dance - Gold/Red/Yale

College of Humanities and Social Sciences - White*
*See exceptions below

  • Communication Studies - Silver
  • Journalism & Public Relations- Red
  • Physical Education - Sage
  • Health - Sage
  • Recreation - Sage
  • Kinesiology - Sage

College of the Environment - Forest Green/Yale

Fairhaven College - Purple/White

College of Science and Engineering - Gold

University Interdisciplinary Programs - White

Contact the Commencement Team