Academic Regalia and Symbols

REGALIA
Gowns were worn as early as the 12th century. Their primary purpose then was to protect the wearer against the elements. When accepted styles of dress began to change in the 16th century, people in the legal and medical professions as well as scholars in the universities retained the traditional dress of gowns and hoods. The origin of the cap is unclear. Styles and colors had no particular meaning until 1985 when an “Inter-collegiate Code” established design and color criteria. The bachelor’s gown has long pointed sleeves and is designed to be worn closed. The master’s gown has an oblong sleeve open at the wrist; the rear part of its oblong shape is square cut, and the front part has an arch cut away. The gown may be worn open or closed. The doctor’s gown is faced down the front with velvet with three bars of the same across the sleeves. It may be worn open or closed. The academic hood is the visual representation of the academic degrees. It is worn by faculty and staff with master’s and doctoral degrees. Graduates wearing colored regalia, other than black, are high school students who have completed their Associate Degree through the Early College Degree Completion Program.

HONOR CORDS, STOLES & MEDALS Students wearing gold cords are honor graduates. Summa cum laude graduates have a 4.0 grade point average on 24 or more credit hours taken at NWACC; magna cum laude graduates have earned a 3.5-3.9 grade point average.

Students wearing ebony & gold stoles are members of NWACC's chapter of Gamma Beta Phi, a national honor and service society. The stole bears the crest, which contains the watchwords of scholarship, service, and character. NWACC student members qualify with a 3.5 or higher grade point.

Students wearing gold stoles and blue and gold cords are members of the Beta Kappa Psi chapter of the International Honor Society of Phi Theta Kappa. NWACC student members qualify with a 3.5 or higher grade point. Students wearing green and gold cords are members of Sigma Kappa Delta, a national English Honor Society for two-year colleges.

SKD recognizes outstanding students of English language and literature. Members promote reading and literacy through

on campus and community events and must earn a minimum grade point average of 3.3 in general scholarship to join. Students wearing gold medals with white ribbon represent the NWACC Student Ambassador and Government Association. These students are NWACC student leaders and dedicate countless hours to NWACC students and community.

Students wearing green and white cords First Generation College Students.

Students wearing red, white and blue cords are current or veteran members of the Armed Forces of the United States of America.

Students wearing sashes with flags on them are International Students. The flags on the sashes represent their home countries.

The LIFE (Learning Improvement Fun and Empowerment) medallion is worn by LIFE mentors and represents the countless hours of volunteer service to NWA high school students.

Students wearing gold and black medals with green ribbon have completed their Associate Degree through the Early College Degree Completion Program.

Students wearing the white-ribboned medallion are graduates of the NWACC Honors Program and recognized for their commitment to academic challenge and deeper exploration within college coursework. The medallion, engraved with the student’s name and major, features the Honors Program’s core values: curiosity, community, and diversity. Students earn this distinction by completing honors classes designed to encourage critical thinking, creativity, and collaboration. Recognition is awarded at three levels: Honors Program Participants have completed two honors courses, Honors Program Graduates have completed three, and Honors Program Graduates with Distinction have completed four or more.

THE COLLEGE MACE
The Mace is a symbol of authority, often carried in academic processions. The NorthWest Arkansas Community College Mace was hand-carved and polished from walnut wood by Founding President Dr. Bob C. Burns in 1991.