Line shrine photo shoots, Mount Nittany climbs, Berkey Creamery ice cream cones and grilled stickies are just a few of the top things to do before your Penn State graduation. Every college or university has their unique list of informal graduation traditions — whether it’s written down or passed along by word of mouth from class to class.
The meaning of these graduation traditions is pretty self-explanatory. For Penn State students, you climb Mount Nittany to take in the view of Happy Valley because you won’t live here forever. You get a cone of Berkey Creamery ice cream and eat a grilled sticky bun because after graduation, you’ll have to pay shipping to get both of these sent to wherever you are. You take a picture at the Lion Shrine because it’s the quintessential Penn State graduation photo opportunity for individuals, families, best friends and significant others alike.
However, there are other traditions all Penn State students — and many college students across the country — participate in that are a little more formal and have meanings that are somewhat less obvious — the academic regalia, university mace and chain of office and medal, to name a few. These traditions are ones that many students are a part of, but few realize the meaning and the history behind them.
We’ve gathered some information on these three graduation traditions — and we’re sure that you’ll be surprised at just how many details of your graduation ceremony hold symbolic meanings, many of which have been around since medieval times.
Meaning of Academic Regalia
Academic regalia is the name given to the attire worn at graduation — cap or tam, hood and gown. If you’ve attended graduation ceremonies in the past, chances are you’ve noticed professors, deans and other university leadership dressed in a variety of colors and styles of attire.
Every pattern, material, cut, length, lining and trimming signifies a particular level of education or field of study. Commencement ceremonies are one of the only times — aside from convocation and a presidential inauguration — that these pieces of academic regalia are on display. It’s one of the oldest graduation traditions in existence.
The details of the meaning of academic regalia are extensive, and all can be found in the Academic Costume Code. We’ve included a few of the details surrounding gown style and colors below.
Gown Examples:
- Bachelor’s degree: Untrimmed, pointed sleeves, worn closed
- Master’s degree: Untrimmed, oblong sleeves, open at the wrist
- Doctor’s degree: Trimmed in velvet, bell-shaped sleeves, may be worn open or closed
Color Examples:
- Drab: Commerce, accountancy, business
- White: Arts, letters, humanities
- Orange: Engineering
- Purple: Law
- Golden yellow: Science
Believe it or not, some of these pieces of academic regalia have a meaning and a history that dates back to medieval times. It’s one of the oldest graduation traditions.
History of Graduation Regalia
In 1321, a statute of the University of Coimbra in Portugal required all “Doctors, Licentiates and Bachelors” to wear gowns. Later in the 1300s, England adopted long gowns for attire as a way to avoid the forbidden “excess in apparel” that was a part of statutes of many colleges.
It wasn’t until the 1500s that Oxford and Cambridge began an academic dress code that expanded to include many of the details we have today. While academic regalia was under university control at this point, European institutions still differed in the details — something that remains the same to this day.
The United States decided to adopt the academic regalia graduation tradition but wanted consistency — likely so that specific levels of education and fields of study were portrayed in the same way at commencement ceremonies throughout the country.
In the late 1800s, representatives from the leading institutions in the United States came together to establish the Intercollegiate Commission, which decided on everything from the cut and style of gowns to the colors representing each field of study. Approved by the American Council on Education in 1932, changes to the academic regalia have been made only twice.
Penn State’s Academic Regalia
Since Penn State University is made up of several smaller colleges that focus on a particular field of study — and each of these colleges has their own Penn State commencement ceremony — you’ll likely notice less diversity in the range of colors at your graduation. However, you’ll still see a difference in the faculty caps and gowns, as their degrees differ and will likely show the differences in the styles mentioned above.
Keep an eye on those on stage and those who speak at the ceremony, and we’re sure you’ll notice some unique characteristics of their attire.
Meaning of University Mace
The university mace is the official name for the large baton carried in by the person at the very beginning of the procession line in a graduation ceremony. The person may be recognized as the grand marshal of the school or simply as a mace bearer for the ceremony. This individual makes their way to the front of the room and sets the university mace into a stand, where it remains for the entire ceremony.
The meaning of the university mace makes sense when you consider its position at the front of the procession and its placement at the front of the commencement ceremony. It symbolizes authority — usually you’ll find a university president following closely behind — and the protection of education. The grand marshal is often said to be the protector of education, so it makes sense that this accessory bears the same meaning.
Once it’s placed at the front of the room, it signifies the official beginning of the ceremony — similar to practices by some governing bodies. In the United Kingdom House of Commons, for example, a ceremonial mace is also used to begin the session — without its placing, the house is legally not in session.
History of University Mace
The mace as we know it, used by educational institutions for ceremonial purposes, has been leading processions in countless graduation traditions since at least the 1400s. Before that, the mace was a military tool used in war. More specifically, it was often used by a king’s bodyguard, who walked before him and defended him as needed.
From these few insights, it’s easy to see how despite centuries passing and the new use as it relates to education, the mace has continued to be a symbol of protection and authority in commencement ceremonies today.
Penn State’s University Mace
Each of Penn State’s commencement ceremonies begins with a procession led by a faculty member carrying a university mace. While there are several maces due to the number of commencement ceremonies, each contains its piece of Penn State history.
The largest mace, used in graduation ceremonies in the Bryce Jordan Center, is made of wood and brass and was carved from an upright post in the original Old Main building. Smaller replicas don’t fall short, as they were made from balusters of the roof of the University House, the former president’s residence. Regardless of where your Penn State commencement ceremony is held, it begins with a university mace — representing academic authority but also the history of Penn State.
Meaning of Chain of Office
The chain of office is the name of the large necklace worn by the president of a university or college during graduation ceremonies. This chain symbolizes a distinguished official. While chains of office vary in appearance, they’re often made of metal — gold or silver — and incorporate a style and/or engravings that reflect the educational institution to which they belong.
History of Chain of Office
The chain of office also has roots all the way back to the Middle Ages — different versions of the chain of office have been used to distinguish knights and kings from citizens. Precious metals and stones were often used to show importance. Also known as a livery collar, perhaps the most famous example is the Collar of Esses, which has been worn by royalty in England since the 1300s.
Penn State’s Chain of Office and Medal
Penn State has its piece of royalty in The University Chain of Office and Medal. This graduation tradition came to campus in the fall of 2002 to symbolize the responsibilities of the Office of the President and the continuity of that position, as The University Chain of Office and Medal is passed from one president to the next.
Penn State’s Chain of Office and Medal features names of all of the former presidents of Penn State on the links of the chain — the current president’s name is on the link closest to the medal. The medal features the University seal, which is symbolic of Penn State’s mission — teaching, research and public service.
Preserving Your Penn State Graduation Traditions
Your Penn State graduation is a celebration of a moment in time, and while you may not have a mace or chain of office, the greatest Penn State graduation tradition is to make sure your memories are preserved and cherished. One of the best ways to put your memories on display and preserve mementos is through custom shadowboxes and frames.
Shadowboxes
Not all memories are captured with a photo — some are found in the jersey you wore for athletics or club sports, the last ball you threw, the shirt you wore for bid day, the award you were recognized for or the graduation cap you spent hours perfecting — to name a few. These items have great sentimental value but are often boxed up and forgotten because of their awkward size or shape.
Rather than putting them in a box for storage, preserve them in a custom shadow box — aesthetics are important, but so is preservation. Our museum-quality framing techniques will keep your favorite mementos in pristine condition, protecting them against wear and fading. We understand memories are treasures, so we’ll do all we can to help you preserve your keepsakes.
Here are a few examples of items that could be a perfect match for one of our custom shadowboxes:
- Jerseys
- Balls or pucks
- Football tickets
- Sports memorabilia
- Graduation caps
- Medals
- Flags
- Specialty shirts
- Awards
- Other college mementos
Graduation Picture Frames
Taking a photo by the Lion Shrine or Beaver Stadium may be on your graduation bucket list, but what happens to the photo once you’ve shared it on social media? Many of the best graduation photos are put onto computers, rarely emerging again.
Think about all those photos you want to capture — or have already captured — to prepare for graduation. Chances are, you’re thinking of a Lion Shrine photo, one with your family, the team, your sorority or fraternity, a group of best friends — all great options. Choose one or a few to put into a professional frame — not only to put on display on the walls of your home or office but also to preserve as printed photos.
Keep your memories alive with a custom graduation picture frame.
College Diploma Frames
Perhaps the most sacred part of your Penn State commencement ceremony is getting to hold your diploma for the first time. You’ve spent the past few years working hard, and your degree encompasses years of success. Like us — three Penn State alumni — we’re sure you feel a great sense of pride in your diploma and what it symbolizes, both personally and professionally.
It’s easy to see why Penn State diploma frames are so popular. As you’re closing one chapter of your life and embarking on a new one, you want to make sure you give your Penn State diploma a home that’s ready to be on display on the walls of your new office or space.
We’ve helped plenty of students find college diploma frames that reflect their likes and dislikes and preserve and protect this important document from the usual wear and fading it experiences over time. Whether you choose one of the diploma frames we’ve already designed and have available to order online or want something a little more unique, we have the expertise to make sure you get the display you have in mind.
Penn State Diploma Frames for Sale
Preserving your Penn State diploma in a frame makes for the ultimate keepsake and representation of your Penn State experience — and what better way to do it than trusting it to a group of Penn State alumni right here in Happy Valley?
At Old Main Frame Shop, we give you the opportunity to purchase a frame designed for your Penn State experience and décor style. After all, Penn State diploma frames aren’t solely to show credentials but can also serve as an addition to décor in your future home or office.
In addition to having a creative design, our frames are said to last forever — they’re composed of high-quality wood moulding made in America and Europe. The glass and our conservation framing techniques will preserve your diploma, so you won’t have to worry about it fading, regardless of where you choose to hang it. Your Penn State diploma will never leave our shop throughout the entire framing process, eliminating any worry you have over leaving your diploma — or other college keepsakes — with us.
Order diploma frames online or by phone at 800 321 2275, or stop by our shop on College Avenue.