As graduation draws nearer, questions about what seniors will be wearing at the celebration, including what cords will be worn and by whom, have arisen all over campus.
\nAlong with the black cap and gown, graduating seniors also wear a series of cords that represent both academic honors organizations and various clubs. Interestingly, this tradition is not one that is practiced at many other institutions across the country, with most other colleges only have cords for honor based organizations.
\n\u201cIn my experience, and at my undergrad, they were all academic cords, or honor cords specifically for majors,\u201d Gretchen Nonemaker said, director of Student Engagement.
\nThe Hood cords extend to nearly all clubs on campus, with most student run organizations having a cord made up of one or two colors. Many students feel that club cords are an important Hood tradition that is integral to a Hood graduation.
\n\u201cI think it\u2019s a way to decorate your gown in a really special fashion, and in a way that really has meaning and reflects on your college experience,\u201d Una Regoje said, a junior. \u201cI think it\u2019s a very adorable way of decorating this special occasion, and having it personalized but also mean something.\u201d
\nIn the past, decisions about graduation regalia have fallen on the bookstore and the provost\u2019s office. This year, both the bookstore managing team and the provost are new, meaning that what seniors will be wearing come graduation is slightly up in the air.
\n\u201cThere are academic cords, and then there are these cords that are student organization based,\u201d Nonemaker said. \u201cTraditionally, that\u2019s something that has come out of the provost\u2019s office, so I think that\u2019s where it\u2019s sitting right now.\u201d
\nCurrently, because she is new to the school, Ricker is still learning all about the Hood regalia. She said she is especially looking forward to graduation and is excited to see this important Hood event.
\n\u201cI am so excited about commencement at Hood.\u201d Provost Debbie Ricker said. \u201cI\u2019ve never experienced it, but as it is at most institutions, it\u2019s a great celebration of achievement and accomplishment, and I\u2019m excited to experience it with all the Hood graduates in May.\u201d
\nCurrently, the bookstore has begun the process of looking at cords and figuring out who gets them.
\n\u201cRight now we\u2019re in the process of trying to find out who needs cords and which cords they need,\u201d said Debbie Rhodes, the bookstore store manager. \u201cWe will have them ordered as soon as possible through Herff Jones.\u201d
\nOne thing seems clear: students have become attached to the cords, and are looking forward to getting to wear them this spring at graduation.
\n\u201cHonestly, I think that without the cords, the gowns look kind of ugly and bland,\u201d Regoje said. \u201cSo I would not like them to be removed.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"