Gonfalon Bearers
- College of Arts and Sciences: James Byrnes
- Carson College of Business: Cameron Lovinus
- Edward R. Murrow College of Communication: Scott Bowhall
- College of Education, Sport, and Human Services: Stephanie Mahar
- Voiland College of Engineering and Architecture: Heather McCartney
- College of Nursing: Yamerot Ashagre
Academic Regalia
The academic regalia worn in the commencement ceremony features a rich history based on long-standing tradition and historic significance. Current academic dress is the result of an evolution of the robes worn by medieval students, who were usually clerics in the churches’ schools and monasteries. Over the centuries, British and commonwealth universities have retained the earlier custom in which holders of doctorate degrees wear scarlet gowns and round bonnets. In the United States, a standard code of more subdued dress prevails, with academic attire composed of a cap, a gown and a hood.
Hood Colors
- Agriculture: Maize
- Arts, Letters and Humanities: White
- Business: Drab
- Education: Light blue
- Engineering and Computer Science: Orange
- Nursing: Apricot
- Science: Golden yellow
Caps and Gowns
Gowns for bachelor’s degrees are always black with no trim. Gowns for master’s degrees are gray with crimson accents. Baccalaureate gowns have straight sleeves, while master’s gowns have long, pointed sleeves with the forearm seen through a slit at the sleeve’s elbow. Doctoral gowns are crimson with gray velvet accents and matching velvet tams. The staff volunteers wearing crimson robes are marshals, assisting students and faculty with the flow of the ceremony.
WSU graduates wear yokes over their gowns. The crimson and gray yokes have become WSU’s Commencement signature.
The most common cap worn at graduation ceremonies in the United States is the mortar-board, named for its flat top, which has a black tassel fastened to the cap’s middle point and worn on the right. After receiving a bachelor’s degree, the graduate moves the tassel from right to left.
Hoods
Candidates for advanced degrees wear the academic hood, a traditional garment signifying high scholarly achievement. The colors on the section of hood situated around the neck represent the wearer’s major academic discipline. The section that hangs across the back and between the shoulders is lined with the official color, or colors, of the college conferring the degree. WSU’s colors are crimson and gray. Colors associated with areas of study applicable to WSU Vancouver are listed below.
Honor Cords
Candidates for baccalaureate degrees are eligible for academic honors based on their cumulative grade point average after 30 graded credits completed at WSU by the end of fall semester 2025. Students who earn a GPA of 3.50 or better wear a crimson and gray honor cord generously provided by the Associated Students of WSU Vancouver.