The PhD Robe Regalia
Finally, after years of agonizing despair you have reached your goal. Reaching the epitome of success, you are now ready to dive into your professional life as either a researcher or professor and have all your ideas presented and laid out ready for that book you are waiting to write next. There's one last thing here - commencement. The pomp and ceremony of the university handing you that coveted document, your degree. Along with this ceremony are the trappings of a scholar, his or her PhD robes. You've finished your degree, but to have the celebration of walking across the stage to receive from the president your PhD, is an important step in your life, so don't take your PhD robe lightly. The history of the PhD robe dates back to the 12th and 13th centuries when universities were in their infancy in Bologna, Oxford and Paris. Students and faculty both wore robes, much like the clerics of the day, mainly for purposes of practicality. The long PhD robes kept the students warm and the hoods covered the heads. In the 14th century, some organizers began specifying how the PhD robe should look, detailing every portion of the PhD robe. However, not until the 19th century were the colors of regalia completely formalized. An Intercollegiate Commission was formed for this purpose in 1893. Cuts, styles, and material of the PhD robe were also formalized during their meetings. This was composed of several American Universities and periodically a committee is reconvened to discuss these matters, but not many changes have taken place since the 1800's. Recommended by this council is that PhD robes be black, which is often the case. In case they are a different color, the colors of the PhD robe are most probably the university's colors. PhD robe materials vary from climate to climate, often made of a light, flimsy material to be worn once and to go over other clothing. The robe can be worn open or closed - be sure to check with your graduate officials so you won't be the odd man out. The trimming is what sets apart the PhD robe from the undergraduate robes. The sleeves are trimmed with three stripes of black velvet, and black velvet graces the front panel of the PhD robe. They are either black, encompassing any field of study or often in the U.S. they have certain colors to represent a PhD degree. You have the PhD robe of the right color and the hood, surely you must be forgetting something? The cap, of course! The color is usually black and the style is usually the Oxford mortarboard, but check with your university first before ordering for your PhD robe, because they may confer a different color or style upon their students. If you've already received your master's degree, you know that the tassel is worn on the left and the color is indicative of your field of study. Now you know all about robes, you're ready for graduation and conferment of that all important degree. Make sure you're family and friends are there to wish you well and send all their love and encouragement to you for your immense achievement. This final hour is not just an ending of a journey, but just the beginning of a new one! |
