All students participating in commencement are required to wear the official Tarleton State University cap and gown. Clothing in accordance with this special occasion should be worn under the cap and gown.
All students participating in commencement are required to wear the official Tarleton State University cap and gown. Cap and Gowns can be ordered through the Tarleton bookstore.
Shoes should be comfortable. NO spike heels of any kind will be allowed on the field. Square heels, flats, and tennis shoes are acceptable.
Tarleton State University's official university stole may be purchased when ordering/purchasing the cap and gown. The stole is not required and is an added expense.
There are no cords for University Honors recipients, however, students may wear any cords offered by national organizations recognized by Tarleton State University of which they are member.
The official ring of Tarleton State University embodies the pride and possibility that have built our heritage of excellence and achievement since 1899. For more information on the official ring of Tarleton State University or for ordering visit the Official Tarleton Ring page or contact the Tarleton Alumni Association.
As you prepare for your transition from college student to working professional, don't forget to celebrate your great accomplishment beginning with Tarleton graduation announcements.
Please note the University does not offer cords, stoles, or other recognition items for university-level honors. Students who are members of a recognized honors association may contact that particular association to inquire about offered cords, stoles, or special recognition items. Students may elect to wear recognition items for those associations for which they are a member so long as the association is recognized by Tarleton.
Students must contact their associations for more information on special recognition offerings, availability, and ordering.
Ordering Regalia
Regalia may be purchased from the Tarleton bookstore. Additional regalia questions should be directed to the Tarleton Campus Store at 254-968-9007.
- Bachelor’s regalia includes a cap, gown, and tassel.
- Caps are one size fits most or XL.
- Gowns are sized by height and weight.
- Tassels are purple and white.
- A Stole of Gratitude may be added. The stole is not required but the majority of graduates wear a stole.
- Bachelor’s regalia may be purchased from the Tarleton bookstore.
- Additional regalia questions should be directed to the Tarleton Campus Store at 254-968-9007.
- Master’s regalia includes cap, gown, tassel and hood.
- Caps are one size fits most or XL.
- Gowns are sized by height and weight.
- The degree you are receiving determines your hood color.
- Master gowns have different sleeves than Bachelor gowns.
- Master’s regalia may be purchased from the Tarleton bookstore.
- Additional regalia questions should be directed to the Tarleton Campus Store at 254-968-9007.
Tarleton no longer holds separate hooding ceremonies for each Master’s level graduate.
- Includes tam (with gold tassel), gown and hood.
- Doctoral regalia may be purchased each Fall and Spring during the designated sale period.
- Each individual piece may be purchased or rented.
- Doctoral regalia that is purchased is custom made to the purchaser’s measurements.
- Contact Dawn Prejean at [email protected] to place order.
- Custom orders take 6-8 weeks to receive.
- Rentals take up to 5 weeks to receive.
- Doctoral Regalia may be rented from the Tarleton bookstore.
Honors Designations
University Honors (Cum Laude, Magna Cum Laude, Summa Cum Laude)
Scholastic recognition for outstanding baccalaureate candidates will be announced as diplomas are presented. Honor designations are: Summa Cum Laude (Highest Honors), Magna Cum Laude (High Honors), and Cum Laude (Honors). These honors are not recognized by cords or a designation in the printed program. Additionally, all honors announced at commencement are tentative. Official degree honors for diplomas and transcripts will be determined after final grades are reported. Students receiving such honors will have their diploma recognition mailed to them within eight to ten weeks after the ceremony. For information regarding University Honors requirements please see the “Eligibility for Honors Graduation” portion under “Academic Information” in the current catalog.
Honors College (Presidential Honors Program Graduates, Honors Program Graduates)
Presidential Honors Program Graduates and Honors Degree Program Graduates are recognized in the program and announced as diplomas are presented when students walk the stage. Please contact the program coordinator regarding any other forms of recognition. For more information please refer to the Honors College website.
National Honors Societies
Membership in honor societies and organizations is designated by the color cords draped around the graduates’ necks. These cords are optional and students should contact their individual organization regarding the cords. The current list of Honors Societies, recognized by Tarleton State University, is below:
National Academic Honor Societies
| Honor Society | Academia/Organization | Colors |
|---|---|---|
| Alpha Chi | National Collegiate Honor Society | Green and Blue |
| Omega Nu Lambda | National Online Student Honor Society | Navy and Gray |
| Phi Eta Sigma | National Freshman Honor Society | Black and Gold |
College of Agriculture and Natural Resources
| Honor Society | Academia/Organization | Colors |
|---|---|---|
| Alpha Zeta | Agriculture | Blue and Gold |
| Kappa Omicron Nu | Human Sciences | Burgundy and Ivory |
Dr. Sam Pack College of Business
| Honor Society | Academia/Organization | Colors |
|---|---|---|
| Beta Gamma Sigma | International Business | Blue and Gold |
| Omicron Delta Epsilon | Economics | Blue and Gold |
| Delta Mu Delta | Business | Purple and Gold |
College of Education
| Honor Society | Academia/Organization | Colors |
|---|---|---|
| Phi Epsilon Kappa | Physical Education | Black and Gold |
| Kappa Delta Pi | Education | Purple and Green |
| Psi Chi | Psychology | Blue and Gold |
College of Health Science
| Honor Society | Academia/Organization | Colors |
|---|---|---|
| Chi Sigma lota | Counseling | White and Blue |
| Phi Alpha | Social Work | Blue and Gold |
| Sigma Theta Tau | Nursing | Orchid and White |
Mayfield College of Engineering
College of Liberal and Fine Arts
| Honor Society | Academia/Organization | Colors |
|---|---|---|
| Alpha Kappa Delta | Sociology | Teal |
| Alpha Phi Sigma | Criminal Justice | Blue and Gold |
| Alpha Psi Omega | Fine Arts | Blue and Gold |
| Phi Alpha Theta | History | Red and Light Blue |
| Sigma Delta Pi | Spanish | Red and Gold |
| Sigma Tau Delta | English | Red and Black |
College of Science and Mathematics
| Honor Society | Academia/Organization | Colors |
|---|---|---|
| Alpha Epsilon Delta | Health Pre-Professional | Purple and Red |
| Beta Beta Beta | Biology | Red and Green |
| Sigma Xi | Scientific Research Honor Society | White and Blue |
Leadership and Service Organizations
| Honor Society | Academia/Organization | Colors |
|---|---|---|
| Omicron Delta Kappa | Outstanding Leadership Among Students | White, Black and Blue |
| Tarleton Veterans | United States Military Veteran | Red, White and Blue |
| 1899 Service | Completed 189.9 Hours of Community Service | Purple and Teal |
| Texan Trail | Completed 5 Areas of Co-Curricular Connections | Purple, White & Gray |