The regalia worn by MacEwan graduates and faculty are based on costumes used in universities of the 14th and 15th centuries, particularly at Oxford and Cambridge universities in England. This academic dress has been used in the United States from colonial times and was standardized by an 1895 Intercollegiate Code.
Colour is an important element of all academic ceremonies. MacEwan faculty members wear regalia from their alma mater (institution graduated from). MacEwan graduates wear regalia based on tradition that carries symbolic meaning about credentials earned and areas of study. MacEwan corporate colours, royal blue and white, have also been incorporated into the costume code.
MacEwan's Costume Code
Gown Colour
Black represents Doctor (faculty), Master (faculty), and Bachelor (faculty and baccalaureate graduates) degrees. Royal blue represents Applied Degree, Diploma, and Certificate graduates.
Vee-stoles
Silver and white vee-stoles are worn by Certificate and Diploma graduates.
Hoods - Applied Degree
Hoods are worn by Applied Degree graduates.Hoods for applied degrees are satin, royal blue with a chevron and coloured trim that represents the discipline to which the applied degree pertains:
- Bachelor of Applied Business Administration Accounting - Drab
- Bachelor of Applied Communications in Professional Writing - Crimson
- Bachelor of Applied International Business and Supply Chain Management - Drab
- Bachelor of Applied Human Services Administration - Peacock Blue
Hoods - Baccalaureate Degrees
Hoods are worn by Baccalaureate Degree graduates. Hoods are draped over the shoulder and displayed down the back with the lining turned inside out. The base color of the hood is black with royal blue interior. Trim of hoods is representative of the individual baccalaureate degree:
- Bachelor of Arts - White
- Bachelor of Child and Youth Care - Chamois
- Bachelor of Commerce - Drab
- Bachelor of Nursing - Apricot
- Bachelor of Science - Gold
Mortarboards
The mortarboard cap is worn by all graduates and is the same color as the gown. Tassels are worn by Baccalaureate Degree graduates straight down on the left side of the cap.
Honour Cords
Honour cords are lengths of gold cording with small tassels on each end. They are worn by graduates who have received honours standing in their academic studies.
Honour Stoles
Honour stoles represent significant academic accomplishment and are worn by Bachelor of Arts Honours degree recipients.
Traditionally, the mace was a weapon carried in battle by medieval knights and warlike bishops and was later carried as protection for royalty. For post-secondary institutions, the mace has been adopted as a symbol of the dignity and authority of a post-secondary institution, and a mace bearer will usually begin the convocation commencement in some manner.
MacEwan's mace is especially meaningful to our institution. It is a walking stick that was carved by Dr. J.W. Grant MacEwan and presented to Dr. Paul Byrne upon his installation as MacEwan president in 1997. It was chosen as the institution's official mace in 2008.
Rogelio Eduardo Menz, an Edmonton artist originally from Chile, created MacEwan's mace stand for unveiling at the Spring 2009 convocation. Menz wanted to create a permanent stand for the mace that would enhance its natural beauty, not detract from it. He chose stainless steel and brass as the main metals for this piece of art. The stand's concepts came from the simplicity of the Alberta landscape as well as MacEwan's Coat of Arms, which was grant to the institution by Her Excellency the Right Honourable Michaelle Jean on behalf of the sovereign of Canada.
"Discendo Floremus" is the institution's motto: "Through Learning we Flourish."
