The commencement exercise is a cultural custom that reflects the rite of passage of many students every year by wearing traditional caps and gowns. The rite marks a changeover from one phase in a student’s being to another together with their caps and gowns. Arnold's van Gennep used the phrase “Rite of passage” during late 1909, and he proposed that the rite of passage incorporate the following three steps:
1. Separation of the students from the society
2. Inculcation and transformation of students
3. Return of the students into the society with a new status in life
Now, let us know the history behind these graduation caps and gowns. Most Baccalaureate Ceremony is measured as the beginning of “Rite of passage” of the majority of students as they wear their caps and gowns, whether they are elementary, high school or college. Several schools held their Baccalaureate Ceremony together with the real Graduation Ceremony, as others commemorate the two events in separate occasion altogether wearing their caps and gowns. For more briefness purposes, the graduation ceremonies typically start with speeches coming from faculty or guests speakers, which may comprise the graduate students and music. Next, the names of the graduate are called one by one as a “Pomp and Circumstance” is usually played. Not all ceremony uses these practices. Students should wear unified caps and gowns according to their degree of expertise.
The “Pomp and Circumstance” music were composed by Sir Edward Elgar. “Pomp and Circumstance” were first executed during the date of October 19, 1901 in Liverpool, England. As the students begin onto the phase they were handed their diplomas and given a handshake by school officials and guests as they proudly wear their caps and gowns. It is at that point the students wear their caps and gowns as they flip the tassels on their hats.
The origin of Baccalaureate Ceremony was recorded during 1432. The initial Baccalaureate Ceremony was done at Oxford University. During that time, every student was mandated to convey a sermon in Latin as the main element of their academic implications as they wore their caps and gowns.
The term “cap,” which is worn by all students and faculty during commencement exercises was formerly called a “hood.” The “hood” is thought to be dated back from the Celtic Groups. During that time of history that only the Druid priests wore caps and gowns that symbolize their power and higher intelligence. Nowadays, the caps and gowns are used to recognize the student’s educational institution and degree. The tassel that is attached or occasionally the color of the caps and gowns or scarf is used to indicate the student’s educational accomplishment within the educational structure.
Throughout the 12th and 13th centuries was the beginning of the university caps and gowns for graduation. During that time, the typical dress for faculty or students was a clerical dress. During the year 1321 it is required that all Doctors, Bachelors, and Licentiates to wear gowns from the University of Coimbra. That is the entire basic history of Graduation ceremonies and the ceremonial dress that is worn.
