Commencement at Aquinas College
Hood Colors and Honor Cords
When ordering your cap, gown, and hood, you must submit the information on your expected degree and official major based on your application for graduation. Your degree and official major will determine the color of your hood, which will be part of your cap and gown order.
Aquinas College Hood Colors
Your degree and primary major determine the color of your hood, which is part of your cap and gown package. When ordering your cap, gown, and hood from the Aquinas College Bookstore, Bookstore staff will verify your order against your degree on record with the Registrar’s Office. All graduates will earn one degree from Aquinas, no matter the number of majors. If you are double majoring and unsure which significant and corresponding degree is your primary major, please check with the Graduation Auditor. Honor cords can be picked up at GradFest.
Graduation Hood colors
| Degree | Major | Color |
| Bachelor of Arts | All except those listed below | White |
| Bachelor of Arts | History & Theology | Red |
| Bachelor of Arts | Philosophy | Dark Blue |
| Bachelor of Music & Music Education | Pink | |
| Bachelor of Arts in General Education | White | |
| Bachelor of Fine Arts | All Majors | Brown |
| Bachelor of Science | All Majors | Gold |
| Bachelor of Science in Athletic Training | Gold | |
| Bachelor of Science in Business Administration | Drab/Tan | |
| Bachelor of Science in International Business | Drab/Tan | |
| Bachelor of Science in Sustainable Business | Drab/Tan | |
| Bachelor of Science in Translation and Interpretation | Gold | |
| Bachelor of Professional Accountancy | Drab/Tan | |
| Master of Management | Royal Blue | |
| Master in the Art of Counseling | White | |
| Master in the Art of Teaching | Light Blue | |
| Master in Education | Light Blue |
Honor Cords
Aquinas College awards honor cords to undergraduate students based on their most recently completed entire semester cumulative GPA. Quad grades in the spring will not be considered. Honors will be printed in the Commencement Program. Final honors are calculated based on a student’s overall GPA. Final honors are printed on the diploma and official transcript. Graduate students do not qualify for honors.
Honor cords are supplied by the College and will be distributed at GradFest.
- Cum Laude cords (silver) are for students who have a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or better.
- Magna Cum Laude cords (maroon) are for students who have a cumulative GPA of 3.7 or better.
- Summa Cum Laude cords (silver and maroon) are for students who have earned a cumulative GPA of 3.9 or better.
If you believe you qualify for this honor and it does not appear on your approved Application for Degree Candidacy, please check with the Graduation Auditor.
Honor Societies
If you belong to an Aquinas College Honor Society, your membership will be noted in the Commencement Program. Participation in Honor Societies will be verified with the Faculty Advisor. Honor Society cords must be ORDERED THROUGH THE FACULTY ADVISOR for your particular society; there is usually a fee.
For any other questions about Aquinas College Hoods and Honors, please contact the Registrar's office at registrar@aquinas.edu.
Advantage Center Cords
If you participated in an approved experiential learning activity (internships, practicums, student teaching, study away sessions, and various research experiences) at Aquinas. In that case, you qualify for an Advantage Center Honor Cord to wear at the Commencement Ceremony.
If you qualify for an Advantage Center cord, please complete this form by April 20, 2024, and plan to pick up your cord during GradFest.
Multicultural Graduation Stoles
CDIE is proud to help our AQ Graduates celebrate their outstanding accomplishments. You can receive a Kente and/or Sarape cloth graduation stole if you self-identify as Black/African American, Latinx, or both. If you identify as Asian, CDIE can offer you a red stole.
Let us know if you'd like a Kente, Sarape, red silk store, or a combination on how you racially self identify. Please fill out this form to start.
Legacy Cords
All graduates are encouraged to fill out the 2024 Legacy Survey. It helps us identify and recognize students who have a familial legacy relationship to Aquinas. We would like to honor students who have had parents, grandparents, and/or great-grandparents graduate from Aquinas College. The college will supply Legacy cords to those students and distribute them at GradFest. Please complete this form by March 30, 2024.