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.

Please note the University does not offer cords, stoles, or other recognition items for university-level honors. Students who are members of a recognized honor 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 State University.

Students must contact their associations for more information on special recognition offerings, availability, and ordering.

Ordering Regalia

Regalia may be purchased from Texan Outfitters. Additional regalia questions should be directed to Texan Outfitters at 254-968-9007.

Bachelor’s Degree Regalia
Master’s Degree Regalia
Doctoral Regalia
  • Doctoral regalia includes tam (with gold tassel), gown and hood.
  • Doctoral regalia may be purchased each Fall and Spring during the designated sale period.
  • Each individual pieces may be purchased or rented.
  • Doctoral regalia that is purchased is custom made to the purchaser’s measurements.
  • Contact Susan Jones at Texan Outfitters 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 Texan Outfitters.

Honors Designations

University Honors (Cum Laude, Magna Cum Laude, Summa Cum Laude)

Graduate in cap and gown smiling during a ceremony.

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 SocietyAcademia/OrganizationColors
Alpha ChiNational Collegiate Honor SocietyGreen and Blue
Omega Nu LambdaNational Online Student Honor SocietyNavy and Gray
Phi Eta SigmaNational Freshman Honor SocietyBlack and Gold

College of Agriculture and Natural Resources

Honor SocietyAcademia/OrganizationColors
Alpha ZetaAgricultureBlue and Gold
Kappa Omicron NuHuman SciencesBurgundy and Ivory

Dr. Sam Pack College of Business

Honor SocietyAcademia/OrganizationColors
Beta Gamma SigmaInternational BusinessBlue and Gold
Omicron Delta EpsilonEconomicsBlue and Gold

College of Education

Honor SocietyAcademia/OrganizationColors
Phi Epsilon KappaPhysical EducationBlack and Gold
Kappa Delta PiEducationPurple and Green
Psi ChiPsychologyBlue and Gold

College of Health Science

Honor SocietyAcademia/OrganizationColors
Chi Sigma lotaCounselingWhite and Blue
Phi AlphaSocial WorkBlue and Gold
Sigma Theta TauNursingOrchid and White

Mayfield College of Engineering

College of Liberal and Fine Arts

Honor SocietyAcademia/OrganizationColors
Alpha Kappa DeltaSociologyTeal
Alpha Phi SigmaCriminal JusticeBlue and Gold
Alpha Psi OmegaFine ArtsBlue and Gold
Phi Alpha ThetaHistoryRed and Light Blue
Sigma Delta PiSpanishRed and Gold
Sigma Tau DeltaEnglishRed and Black

College of Science and Mathematics

Honor SocietyAcademia/OrganizationColors
Alpha Epsilon DeltaHealth Pre-ProfessionalPurple and Red
Beta Beta BetaBiologyRed and Green
Sigma XiScientific Research Honor SocietyWhite and Blue

Leadership and Service Organizations

Honor SocietyAcademia/OrganizationColors
Omicron Delta KappaOutstanding Leadership Among StudentsWhite, Black and Blue
Tarleton VeteransUnited States Military VeteranRed, White and Blue
1899 Service Completed 189.9 Hours of Community ServicePurple and Teal
Texan Trail Completed 5 Areas of Co-Curricular ConnectionsPurple, White & Gray
Sigma Alpha PiSociety of Leadership & SuccessBlack and Platinum
Texas Leadership Scholars ProgramTexas Premier Scholarship InitiativeLight Blue