A Guide to Academic Regalia
You may not know it, but the caps and gowns worn during commencement are full of meaning.
April 29, 2015
From the color of your gown to the length and shape of your sleeves, every detail tells others where you are in your academic journey (whether bachelor, master, or doctor), where you went to school, what discipline you studied, and what recognitions you received.
Here, we offer a visual map to the academic regalia you’ll see during commencement.
Recent Stories
October 13, 2026
Strom Traces the History of Hunger
Claire Strom, the Rapetti-Trunzo Chair of History at Rollins College, discussed the history of hunger on Academic Minute. The program, produced by NPR affiliate WAMC and hosted by Association of American Colleges & Universities President Lynn Pasquerella, airs on more than 70 NPR member stations across the country. Strom said a review of human history shows that hunger has been a persistent challenge across societies and eras. “The lack of adequate food is ubiquitous in human history,” she said, “no society has existed without hungry people.”
October 09, 2026
Winter Park Magazine Names Barnett and Mould 2026 Influentials
Each year, Winter Park Magazine announces its list of “Winter Park’s Most Influential People.” The program, in its 11th year, recognizes those who make a difference through their professions, their volunteerism, their philanthropy, their talents, or their community engagement. Rollins President, Brooke Barnett, and her husband, Tom Mould, are in the Class of 2026
October 08, 2026
Irteza ’27 Named 2026 Newman Civic Fellow
Aimal Irteza ’27 has received Campus Compact’s 2026–27 Newman Civic Fellowship, which recognizes and supports students committed to achieving social change.