Academic Regalia The academic regalia worn today originated in the European universities of the Middle Ages, when a warm gown and hood were useful for scholars and clerics in unheated buildings. The distinctive gown served to set the student apart from his fellow citizens, hence the perennial controversy between “town and gown.” Until after the Civil War, students at most American universities wore caps and gowns daily while in residence. They varied in design until the American Intercollegiate Commission standardized them in 1984. At that time it was decided that all robes would be black: bachelor’s gowns to be made of worsted stuff with pointed sleeves; master’s gowns of silk with long closed sleeves; and doctor’s gowns of silk with longer sleeves and faced with black velvet from hem to neck and back. They also carried three velvet bands around each sleeve above the elbow. Hoods were made of the same materials as the gowns, the length varying with the degree. Only the lining of the hood indicated the university by its colors. The border of the hood indicated the academic discipline in which the degree was earned. Throughout the United States, there has been no change in the standard colors that represent the disciplines. The color facing the hood, whether it is black or colored, indicated the following: brown: architecture and the fine arts; citron yellow: social work; dark blue: philosophy; kelly green: medicine; lemon yellow: library sciences; light blue: education; light brown: business; lilac: dentistry; olive green: pharmacy; orange: engineering; peacock blue: international affairs; pink: music; purple: law; scarlet: theology; white: arts and letters; crimson: journalism and golden yellow: science. The College Mace The ceremonial mace has its origins in the Middle Ages. Originally a formidable battle weapon, it evolved into a graceful ceremonial object symbolizing the temporal and spiritual authority of the church. Cities began to adopt the use of maces to signify their own freedom and authority. In the 16th century, Oxford University began using a decorated mace in its ceremonial processions to signify academic independence and excellence. Since that time, the mace has been a sign of educational tradition and distinction. In commencement processions, the mace is carried before the President and the dignitaries composing the platform party. The mace is carried by the College Marshall. The Lawson State Community College mace, designed and constructed in 2007, consists of a three-inch bronze medallion bearing the college seal, which is framed by a ten-inch bronze wreath atop a hand shaped walnut staff.
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