Page 3 - Commencement 2020_Spring_Live Stream-FlipBook

The Mace

The mace, originally a weapon of defense, has in modern times become a symbol of authority, dignity, and
privilege. English universities have used maces in academic processions for many centuries. The Trinity
College of Nursing & Health Sciences mace was first used in 2004. The mace was designed by Marlan
Sharer, husband of President Emeritus, Jo Ellen Sharer. The mace is made of walnut with gold trim and
is decorated with the Trinity College of Nursing & Health Sciences emblem, which features the lamp of
knowledge. The mace was a gift to the College from Dr. Sharer upon her retirement.

History of Academic Regalia
The tradition of the academic costume began in the 12th or 13th century in the early European
Universities. Since the clergy comprised the majority of the educated class, academic dress is an
adaptation of the cape or mantle, which was usually of silk or wool, worn by church dignitaries in religious
processions.

Through the years, great diversity developed in color and in style of cap, gown, and hood. In 1896, the
colleges and universities in the United States adopted a uniform code governing academic dress.

The gowns worn by recipients of the various degrees vary somewhat in design. The sleeves of the gown
worn by the Baccalaureate Degree candidates are long and pointed. The sleeves of the gown worn by the
Master Degree candidates are square at one end with a slit at the elbow. The Doctoral Degree gown has
flowing sleeves with three bars of velvet across each sleeve and facing of velvet down the front of the gown.
While the traditional color of gowns is black, this varies by school.
The hood worn by the Doctoral Degree candidate differs in design from the Master as it has side panels
and is slightly longer. The velvet border of the hood indicates the degree; for example, apricot represents
nursing, such as a Master of Science in nursing or a Doctorate in Nursing Science; dark blue is for
philosophy. In the case of the Doctor of Philosophy, the dark blue color is used to represent the mastery of
the discipline of learning and scholarship in any field that is attested to by the awarding of this degree and
is not intended to represent the field of philosophy. Hoods are lined with the school colors.

The oxford cap, usually referred to as the mortarboard, is a four-pointed square for Baccalaureate and
Master Degree candidates and may be a four-or-six-pointed velvet tam for Doctoral Degree candidates,
with a gold tassel fastened by a button at the top.