Wearing of academic regalia dates back to the Middle Ages when the concept of the college was first established in Bologna, Italy. At that time, a hood and gown were necessary during the European winter for scholars to keep warm in the unheated buildings. Today, academic dress is worn only on formal occasions. The caps or mortarboards, gowns, hoods, stoles, and tassels indicate the degrees earned, the academic discipline in which the degree is earned, and also identifies the college or university from which the degree was received. There are four basic academic degrees: the associate’s degree, the baccalaureate or bachelor’s degree, the master’s degree and the doctorate.

Candidates for graduation at JJC wear a traditional black gown. The gold tassels worn by some of the candidates indicate that these individuals have earned a cumulative grade point average above 3.0 on a 4.0 scale and will be graduated with High Honors (3.5 to 4.0) or Honors (3.0 to 3.49). The gold stoles identify students who have been inducted into the Alpha Lambda Phi Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa, the scholastic honor society for community college men and women. The minimum grade point average required for Phi Theta Kappa is 3.6.

Candidates wearing cords are affiliated with Joliet Junior College honor societies. The red cords signify membership in the Sigma Delta Mu National Honor Society for the study of Spanish and Hispanic cultures. The royal blue and gold cords are worn by members of the Psi Beta Psychology Honor Society. The purple and white cords are worn by members of the Alpha Mu Gamma National Honor Society. The purple and gold cords signify membership in Kappa Pi Honor Society for Arts. The navy blue and white cords are worn by members of the Delta Psi Omega Drama and Theatre Honor Society. Students wearing bronze medallions on purple ribbons are graduating from the Joliet Junior College Honors Program. The royal blue stoles signify membership in Alpha Beta Gamma Honor Society for Business.

These insignia identify students as scholars of distinction who have demonstrated a commitment to learning at a high level of achievement and demonstrate Joliet Junior College’s historical success in attracting capable students and producing exemplary citizens.

The gowns worn by the faculty, administration and stage party indicate their highest earned degree. The bachelor’s degree robe has pointed sleeves. The master’s degree gown is appointed with full oblong sleeves. The doctoral gown has bell-shaped sleeves with three velvet chevrons. The hoods bear the colors of the educational institution from which the degree was awarded with a colored border indicating the field of study in which the degree was awarded. The field of philosophy is generally accorded the highest rank among scholars.

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