As Winter Commencement approaches, many students and faculty will gather at the Lawlor Events Center on Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024, to participate in the graduation ceremony. This exciting time on campus is particularly significant for students who have worked hard to earn their advanced degrees and look forward to celebrating with their mentors, colleagues, family and friends.
However, a significant barrier prevents some well-deserving students from participating in commencement ceremonies: the inability to afford graduation regalia. Recent inflation not only makes it more difficult to obtain necessities from groceries to gas but for many graduate students on a limited income the challenge is too much, and students aren’t able to purchase the academic regalia needed to participate in the commencement ceremony.
Being able to afford regalia should be the least of students' worries as they decide whether to participate in commencement ceremonies, a celebration they have rightfully earned through dedication and hard work.
In response to this problem, the Graduate Student Association (GSA) has launched the cap and gown donation program, where graduate students and faculty can pay it forward by donating their cap, gown and/or hood to a graduate student to use during the ceremony. The GSA will then loan the regalia to students to enable them to participate in commencement ceremonies and collect the items afterward to loan out again for future graduates.
As we approach winter commencement ceremonies in a few weeks, consider donating your regalia to a new graduate student who otherwise wouldn't have the chance to participate in a long-deserved celebration of their outstanding accomplishments. If you would like to donate a gently used cap, gown and/or hood for a future graduate student to utilize, please email the GSA.
