Presiding
Francesco C.  Cesareo, Ph.D., President

Master of Ceremonies
Gregory S. Weiner, Ph.D., Provost and Academic Vice President

Invocation
The Very Reverend Dennis M. Gallagher, A.A. ’69, Provincial Superior of North America, Augustinians of the Assumption, Vice-Chair Board of Trustees

National Anthem
Jessica Almeida, Assumption University Class of 2021

Welcome
Francesco C. Cesareo, Ph.D., President

Valedictory Address
Hannah White, Valedictorian

Introduction of Speaker
Maeve McDonald, Salutatorian

Commencement Address
George F. Will, The Washington Post

Honorary Degree Recipients
George F. Will, presented by Francis J. Bedard, Esq. ’81, Chair, Board of Trustees
Vincent Strully, Jr., presented by Dennis M. Gallagher, A.A. ’69, Vice-Chair Board of Trustees

Presentation of Candidates for Degrees in Course
Gregory S. Weiner, Ph.D., Provost and Academic Vice President

Bachelor of Arts Degrees
D ’Amour School of Liberal Arts and Sciences
Presented by Eloise R. Knowlton, Ph.D.

Grenon School of Business
Presented by Joseph T. Foley, M.B.A.., Dean of the Grenon School of Business

School of Health Professions
Presented by Kimberly A. Schandel, Ph.D.

Alma Mater
Jessica Almeida, Assumption University Class of 2021

Benediction
The Most Reverend Robert J. McManus, S.T.D., HD’12, Bishop of the Diocese of Worcester 

 

Bachelor of Arts

Derek Christopher Ahlstedt, Computer Science

Ketlin Aliaj, Graphic Design

Kenneth Thomas Allard, Political Science

Jessica Marie Almeida, Music; Psychology

David Sayles Altman, Philosophy; Political Science

Chloe Rae Amour, History

Alessia Sandra Arcuri, Biology

Amy Elizabeth Arena, Criminology; Psychology; Sociology

Shannon Kacey Arvidson, Chemistry

Michael Asante Jr., Computer Science; Mathematics

Michael Azar, Biology

Lydia Anne Barnaba, Biology

Martha Cooper Barry, Psychology

James L. Benoit, Criminology

Abigail Kelly Benting, Education; English

Molly Alice Berrigan, Global Studies; Political Science

Marlena Berro, Political Science

Nicolás Francesco Berté, Spanish

Christopher D. Blacquier, Criminology

Kassandra Mary Blaisdell, Actuarial Science

Spencer Elizabeth Bodreau, Criminology

Victoria Jade Borruso, Sociology

Nicole Marie Bramlitt, Biology

John Fitzgerald Brennan Jr., Computer Science

Abigail Felicia Browchuk, Criminology; Sociology

Krysta Adrienne Cabral, Women's Studies

Hannah Elizabeth Cairney, Education; English

Johnna Lee Caporuscio, Criminology; Psychology; Sociology

Garrett M. Cardoza, History; Political Science

Daniel Joseph Carito, English: Writing & Mass Communications

Julia M Chappell*, Graphic Design

Ciera L. Clivio, English

Brendan Thomas Clyons, Marketing; Music

Gertrude Mairi Cox, Psychology with concentration in Neuroscience of Human Behavior

Anthony Peter Crisafulli, Graphic Design

Klea Cuni, Education; Mathematics

Angela Marie Dalpe, Biology

Isabella DeScenza, Communication and Media

Luke Anthony DiCicco, History; Political Science

Benjamin Arthur Dillman, Education; Mathematics

Jennifer Ann Doherty, Psychology

Catherine Ann Donnelly, Biology; Education

Wens Joel Dorvil, Criminology; Sociology

Crystal Erin Dostie, Psychology

Elizabeth M. Doyle, Biology

Zachary Taylor Dubreuil, History

Sean Michael Duda, History

Katherine Barry Eckerson, Sociology

Samantha Marie El Saddik, Education; English

Joseph T. Facteau, History

Amelia F. Fadden, Education; English

Giana Nancie Faia, Psychology

Kerry A. Farrell, Education; English

Mackenzie Grace Fleming, Mathematics

Alison E. Foley, Marketing; Political Science

Juan Fuentes, Graphic Design; Spanish

Raymond Campbell Furgal, Biology

Daniella Dolores Furtado, Biology with concentration in Neuroscience & Behavior; Psychology

Silvana Gatto, Political Science

Julia Rae Gaudette, English

Jeffrey Giunta Gendron, Data Analytics; Mathematics

Alexander David Geragotelis, Biology

Brittany Rose Gibbons, Education; English

Caitryn Maura Gibeau, Spanish

Rebecca Jeannette Gilchrist, Chemistry

Anna Laura Gilfoy, Education; Foreign Language; Spanish

Derek Michael Girouard, Chemistry

Anne Maria Guadalupi, Biotechnology & Molecular Biology

Sarah Haak, Actuarial Science

Bryant George Halpin, History

Katherine Christine Hammer, Education; History

Liam Michael Hatch, History

Julia Louise Hebert, Biology

Kevin J. Hernández, Biology

Rebecca Kathryn Hobin, Spanish

Isaiah Huff, Foundations of School Counseling; Social, Emotional & Behaviorial

Gabriella Marie Humphries, Political Science

Marissa Leigh Irwin, Psychology

Alison Kathleen Joanis, Criminology; Sociology

Emmaline Margaret Johansen, Biology with concentration in Neuroscience & Behavior

Veronica Elise Johnson, Chemistry; Mathematics

Seth Michael Joubert, Biology

Kathryn Grace Kearney, Education; English

Evan Edward Kessinger, Biotechnology & Molecular Biology

Alyssa Michelle Kievra, Psychology with a concentration in Child & Adolescent Development

William S. Knoll, Computer Science

Lauren Birk Kuhns,   Psychology with concentration in Neuroscience of Human Behavior

Amber Fae LaBonte, English: Writing & Mass Communications

Andrew Emerson Lamb, English: Writing & Mass Communications

Marissa Danielle Landry, Biology; Chemistry

Justin Carter Lavoie, Global Studies; Political Science

Samantha Joan Leary, Education; English

Timothy M. Lee, Psychology

Amelie Esther Legg, Biology

Tara McDonald LePage, Chemistry

Russell Albert Libby Jr., Criminology

Kaelin Drew Lozier,   Psychology; Women's Studies

Timothy Patrick Lutz, History

Anthony Joseph Marini, Criminology; Sociology

Angela M. Martinez, Chemistry; Mathematics

Catharine Addario Masonius, Graphic Design

Grace Mae McDermott, Criminology; Sociology

Maeve Catherine McDonald, Education; English

Sarah J. McGuinness, Biology

Allison Marie Katherine McKenna, Biology; Education

Quintan J. McKeogh, Environmental Science

Marissa Gianna Mitola, Biology w/concentration in Neuroscience & Behavior

Andrew Stephen Moccia, Criminology; Sociology

Chiara Cecilia Mol, Education; English

Daniel E. Monzon, Biology

Alicia Nicole Murphy, Psychology

Erin Mary Murphy*, Criminology

Brianna Kathryn Nardone, English

Aditya Raj Nathan, Political Science

Mikaela Grace Newman, Health Sciences; Psychology

Kevin Nguyen, History

Tressa Rose Novack, Psychology

Marran Oakman, Data Analytics

Delaney Pete O'Con, Philosophy; Political Science

Lily Barbara O'Connor, English: Writing & Mass Communications; Spanish

Matthew W. O'Connor, Mathematics

Kennedy Rose O'Hara, Biology w/concentration in Neuroscience & Behavior; Italian

Veronica Soriya Op, Biology; Economics

Ariana Beatriz Orcera, Criminology

Michael James O'Reilly, Computer Science; Cybersecurity

Heather Elise O'Toole, Education; English

Elizabeth Esther Owen, Psychology

Emma Anne Panacopoulos, Criminology; Sociology

Taylor K. Perry, Graphic Design

Nicolas Stephen Picazio, Chemistry

Veronica Ann Prytko, Political Science

Shannon Claire Quinlan*, Biology; Environmental Science

James Robert Randall, Psychology

Anthony Michael Rausa*, Computer Science

Evan David Reichenthal, History

Nicole Rheaume,   Psychology with concentration in Neuroscience of Human Behavior

Joseph Richard Ricca, Biology

Matthew Ringstaff*, History

Isabelle Roberts, Biology

Connor C. Romaine, Education; Mathematics

Colin Ronald Thomas Ryan, Actuarial Science; French

Olivia Paige Sylvia St.Germain, Biology

Valeria Marie Sánchez Faria, Biology

Cassandra Janet Saniuk, Biology; Mathematics

Gina Marie Savino, Education; English

Olivia Grace Sawicki, Biology

Sophia Alana Sawtelle, Global Studies

Danielle Kathleen Schwalm, Education; English

Shannon Hoey Setterlund*, English

Abigail McKenzie Shaw, Education; English

Samantha Reagan Shea, Education; English

Yuxin Shen, History

Riley Andrew Sipp, Global Studies; Political Science

Grace Elizabeth Smiley, Education; English

Benjamin Richard Snow*, Psychology

Emily Lynne Soltys, Biology

Rachel Elizabeth Spratt, Psychology with a concentration in Child & Adolescent Development

Karly Marie Stallworth, Neuroscience

Matthew John Starek, Political Science

Samantha Grace Surowiec, History

Izon J. Swain-Price, Biology

Zachary Jonathan Swist, Psychology

Sydney Taylor Tappan, English: Writing & Mass Communications

Dhanya Elizabath Tenny, Biology

Kylie Alexis Thomas, Education; English

Audrey Nicole Tokarz, Political Science; Theology

Jacob Matthew Tondel, Criminology

Marc Anthony Torres, Criminology; Sociology

Patrick John Travaglio-Romeo, Biology

William David Traylor, Actuarial Science; Data Analytics; Mathematics

Easton Michael Turner*, Sociology

Hakudo Ueno, Computer Science; Mathematics

Richard Leland Vaughn III, Criminology

Jasmin Elizabeth Veerapen, Psychology

Vimary Vega Betancourt, Psychology

Noah M. Veilleux, History

Teresa Marie Watts, Psychology

Hannah Malilay White, English: Writing & Mass Communications; Graphic Design

William Joseph Wiegand, Global Studies

Julianna Emily Woods, Chemistry

Hannah Rose Yash, Psychology

Lixiao Zhang*, Mathematics

Dillon John Zona, Criminology; Sociology

Bachelor of Science

Will Ciesinski, Cybersecurity

Nicole Gomez, Cybersecurity

Olivia M. Hulsebosch, Cybersecurity

Timothy Andrew Letourneau, Cybersecurity

Samuel Haste Malone, Computer Science; Cybersecurity

Jordan Joseph White, Cybersecurity

Samuella Terashima Akaab, Graphic Design; Marketing

Matthew Thomas Anderson, Economics

Alex Ahmad André, Management

Christopher John Annantuonio Jr., Accounting 

Kylie Joann Arvidson, International Business

Emily Anna Baker, Management; Marketing

Gabriel S. Barbosa, International Business

Maria Elizabeth Barrett, Economics

James Ryan Barry, Accounting

Jillian Lee Bates, Management

Jennifer Grace Beardsley, Organizational Communication

Alyssa Marie Beaton, Management

Ethan Michael Beck, Management

Adam Phillip Becker, Accounting

Donell Brijuan Berryman Jr., Management

Zain Bhugaloo, Marketing

Alyssa Jill Bialakis, Organizational Communication

Haily Elizabeth Blodgett, Marketing

Mackenzie Paige Bolduc, Management

Olivia Mary Boncaldo, Accounting

Julia D. Bourgeois, Marketing

Jennifer Lynn Bourgoin, International Business

Colin Michael Burke, Marketing with concentration in Digital Marketing

Emily Teresa Burton, Graphic Design; Marketing

Mary Carolyn Campbell, Marketing

James Snow Cappello, Accounting

Tyler Jon Carlson, Accounting

Louise Victoria Jane Chadwick, Marketing

John Thomas Chamberlain, Organizational Communication

Cole Kenneth Chudoba, Marketing

Vincent Paul Conetta, Marketing

Travis Joseph Coppinger, Management

Amanda Lynne Corrigan, Management

Joshua Leo Corrigan, Organizational Communication

Mauro A. Cortez Pacheco, International Business

Armand Gerard Cote IV, Management

Blake Christopher Cox, Marketing

Patrick James Cronin, Economics with a Business Concentration

Conor Michael Danahey, Management

Anthony Steven D'Angelo, Marketing with concentration Digital Marketing

Matthew James Davis, Accounting

Elena Rita DelloRusso, Marketing

Adam William Derbyshire, Accounting

Brendan James Desautels, Management

Owen B. Donnelly, Marketing with concentration in Digital Marketing

Cameron James Donoghue, Marketing

Abigail Elizabeth Duggan, Organizational Communication

Jeremiah Edwards*, Organizational Communication

Dylan Scott Fagan, Marketing

Eathan Faria, Marketing

Ryan Matson Fillebrown, Management

Nicole Catherine Flora, Marketing

Max Anthony Francis, International Business

Angela L. Gagne, Accounting

Alexander Garcia, Economics with a Business Concentration

Jack Joseph Gardiner, Marketing

Scott C. Gover, Accounting

Riley Matthew Guay, Organizational Communication

Grace Elizabeth Gustinis, International Business

Andrew John Henderson, Accounting

John-Henry Hendley, Accounting

María Alejandra Hernández Monteros*, Graphic Design; Marketing

Craig James Herson*, Management

Kileigh Elizabeth Hynes*, Marketing

Michael Joseph Julian, Marketing

Kalliopi Efthalia Karamboulas, Accounting

Matthew Asher Kelly, Accounting

Jameson Thomas Keppeler, Management

Dillon Richard Koster, Management

Joanna Maria Kubiak, Marketing

Zigmond Ethan Kuczynski, Economics

Kenny Khiem La, Management

Hannah Elizabeth Lafreniere, Marketing

Kevin Patrick Lanciano, Marketing with concentration in Digital Marketing

Anthony James Laramee, Management

George E. Lorin, Organizational Communication

Cameron Ian MacLean, Accounting

Giordan J. Maggi, International Business

Neil R. Mahatme*, International Business

Adam John Mansi, Accounting

Ryan Thomas Mardo, Marketing

Christopher James Martin Jr., Accounting

Lauren Elizabeth Masamery, Accounting

Connor Patrick McCaffrey, Accounting

Cullen Walter McCarty*, Management

Maegan Susan McGrenery, Accounting

Connor Daniel McLeod, Marketing with concentration in Digital Marketing

James Patrick McNamara, Management

Kyle James Montague, Management

Nolan Taylor Mullaney, Marketing

Brooke Ashley Murphy, Marketing with concentration in Digital Marketing

Collin Anthony Musto, Accounting

Mariana Nashef, Accounting

Zachary Stephen Natale, Accounting

Marissa Rose Newell, Accounting

Quynh Thi Dan Nguyen, Management; Philosophy

Kayla Anne Nixon, Marketing

Mia Valentine Nowicki, Marketing

Katelyn Rose Oemcke, Marketing

Enea Oshafi*, Accounting

Justine Haydée Otáñez Vargas, International Business

Amanda Lucille Patterson, Organizational Communication

Kristin Victoria Pocius, Marketing

Isabel Rosalie Primack, Marketing

Briana May Pugliese, Marketing

Valerie Gianella Queirolo, Italian; Marketing

Meghan F. Raftery, Accounting

Justin Daniel Rankin, Marketing

Meghan Nicole Reen, Management

Allynne Silva Ribeiro, Organizational Communication

McKenzie Rose Richards, Marketing with concentration in Digital Marketing

Samantha Rincon, Marketing

Laura Roman, Marketing with concentration in Digital Marketing

Haley Elizabeth Rose, Accounting

Jada Lynn Ross, Marketing

Andrew Louis St. Gourdin, Marketing

Emma Cassandra Santee, Organizational Communication

Joseph Vincent Santos, Marketing

Andrew Joseph Sanzaro Jr., Management

Shawn Scullion, International Business

Ryan Terrance Patrick Sheehan, Management

Morgan Isabella Shields, Economics with a Business Concentration

James Paul Skahan*, Management

Ryan Adam Smith*, Management

Charles Andrew Snow, International Business

Kyle Arcenio Sonnie, Management

Anne Spellane, Organizational Communication

Matthew John Stanziola, Management

Madison Rose Studley, Accounting

Emma Rose Sullivan, Marketing with concentration in Digital Marketing

Katherine Elizabeth Sullivan, Marketing

John Guinessey Sweeney, Accounting

Julia Mary Tansey, Management

Aidan James Michael Tefft, Management

Nicole Mary Turgeon, Accounting

Scott Donald Vandenburgh, Accounting

Jonathan Andrew Wahl, Economics; Political Science

Mason J. Wallace, Management

Waylin Airré Walls Parker, Management

Jacob Marc Walz, Management

Nicholas Paul Weilbrenner, Management

Antoine Floyd Williams, Organizational Communication

Sara Jessica Witkus, Marketing

Liam James Young, Economics with a Business Concentration

*- Degree in Progress

This list of candidates and degrees is accurate as of 12 Noon on May 5, 2021.  Final Latin Honors will be announced during the ceremony.

Emily Allen, Human Services and Rehabilitation Studies 

Olivia Rose Angelo, Human Services and Rehabilitation Studies 

Katherine Theresa Arcieri, Human Services and Rehabilitation Studies 

Dean William Clayton Barnett*, Human Services and Rehabilitation Studies 

Maggie Ellen Belculfini, Human Services and Rehabilitation Studies 

Jacques Luc Bergeron, Health Sciences

Hannah Rose Bolduc, Human Services and Rehabilitation Studies 

Sofia A. Boncaldo, Human Services and Rehabilitation Studies 

Alicia Maria Braga, Human Services and Rehabilitation Studies 

Oliver Max Bugbee, Human Services and Rehabilitation Studies 

Deirdre Marie Burchill, Human Services and Rehabilitation Studies 

Jessica Marie Childers, Health Sciences

Meghan Elizabeth Cramb, Biology; Health Sciences

William Richard Daly*, Health Sciences

Kathryne Elizabeth Danieli, Human Services and Rehabilitation Studies 

Kendall Darius Dardy-Jones, Human Services and Rehabilitation Studies 

Hailey Lynn Denisevich, Health Sciences

Sophia Grace Dewsnap, Human Services and Rehabilitation Studies 

Marissa Rose Doherty, Health Sciences

Clara Ellen Dooley, Human Services and Rehabilitation Studies 

Temitayo Maiya Falayi, Health Sciences

Jessica Follo, Health Sciences

Hannah Nicole Garabedian, Health Sciences

Chanelle Celeste Goguen, Human Services and Rehabilitation Studies 

Christina Elizabeth Goldin, Human Services and Rehabilitation Studies 

Emma Catherine Halloran, Health Sciences; Human Services and Rehabilitation Studies 

Thomas Werner Helms III, Health Sciences

Alexandra C. Hernandez*, Human Services and Rehabilitation Studies 

Jordan Nicole Hoey, Human Services and Rehabilitation Studies 

Carley Ann Holtshouser, Human Services and Rehabilitation Studies 

Kathleen Grace Horgan, Human Services and Rehabilitation Studies 

Eleni Kalaitzidis, Health Sciences

Christopher W. Kalil, Health Sciences

Kayelyn Marie Kelley, Human Services and Rehabilitation Studies 

Grace Ann Kiernan, Human Services and Rehabilitation Studies 

Klara Hatam Kosto, Human Services and Rehabilitation Studies 

Christina Marie Kuss, Human Services and Rehabilitation Studies 

Brianna Brittany LaBarge, Human Services and Rehabilitation Studies 

Francesca Maria Laurenza, Human Services and Rehabilitation Studies 

Mackenzie Leonard, Human Services and Rehabilitation Studies 

Meaghan Elizabeth Lussier, Human Services and Rehabilitation Studies 

Colleen Eleanor MacNeil, Human Services and Rehabilitation Studies 

Lydia Sue Mitchell, Health Sciences

Alexa Jean Mulvihill, Human Services and Rehabilitation Studies 

Meghan Alice Murphy, Human Services and Rehabilitation Studies 

Georgia Ann Pendergast, Human Services and Rehabilitation Studies 

Dora Esmeralda Perez, Human Services and Rehabilitation Studies 

Carlins Luc Platel, Health Sciences

Hannah Rose Pomerantz, Human Services and Rehabilitation Studies 

Rachael Elizabeth Pulsone, Human Services and Rehabilitation Studies 

Maria Helen Riberdy, Human Services and Rehabilitation Studies 

Madison Robitaille, Health Sciences

Kethia St. Hilaire, Health Sciences

Morgan Neddeidth Sauvageau, Human Services and Rehabilitation Studies 

Mikaylah Elisabeth Schwartz*, Human Services and Rehabilitation Studies 

Brooke Kathleen Shatney, Human Services and Rehabilitation Studies 

Mikayla Lee Sheehan, Human Services and Rehabilitation Studies 

Erin Marie Smith, Human Services and Rehabilitation Studies 

Nicholas Matthew Smith, Health Sciences

Daniel Michael Spatafore Jr., Health Sciences

Lindsey Margaret Stevenson, Health Sciences

Helen Elise Tautkus, Health Sciences

Lisa Marie Tavares, Human Services and Rehabilitation Studies 

Pagona Vasiliki Tekelis, Health Sciences

Carla Marie Tenaglia, Human Services and Rehabilitation Studies 

Rachael Marie Towne, Human Services and Rehabilitation Studies 

Kathy Tran*, Health Sciences

Erik Michael Unger, Health Sciences

Sydney Lisa Vilardi, Health Sciences

Hannah Murphy Walker, Human Services and Rehabilitation Studies 

Luke Joon Ho Whitehouse, Human Services and Rehabilitation Studies 

Abigail Grace Whittum, Human Services and Rehabilitation Studies 

Adah D. Williams, Human Services and Rehabilitation Studies 

Maria T. Wilson, Human Services and Rehabilitation Studies 

Kayla M. Yee, Health Sciences

Madison Cornwell York, Human Services and Rehabilitation Studies

*- Degree in Progress

This list of candidates and degrees is accurate as of 12 Noon on May 5, 2021.  Final Latin Honors will be announced during the ceremony.

The Assumption University mace, and its role at the front of the academic procession, symbolizes the shared goals of the academic institution. In medieval times, the mace was recognized as a symbol of authority, and in the context of an academic community, it has often signified teaching authority.

At Assumption University, education promotes self-discovery, but the true discovery of self must first take into account one’s own nature and purpose. The symbolism of the mace reflects the simple but essential elements that make for a full and responsible consideration of self, within the broader context in which there can be a full blossoming of the individual.

An education at Assumption nurtures the growth of several key virtues. These include: the Intellectual Virtues, which guide students to the truth; the Moral Virtues (prudence, justice, fortitude and moderation) which enable a person to lead a good life; and, most important of all, the Theological Virtues (faith, hope and charity), which lead the Christian to ultimate happiness. The Latin lettering on the three bands of the sterling node states the thrust of these essential virtues: Intelligentia Adducitur Veritatem; Voluntas Adducitur Bonum; Cor Adducitur Amorem. The staff of the mace could be considered a lignum vitae (tree of life), from which the virtues spring. The three upper branches of ebony and gold represent the virtues and their impact upon everyone at the University, symbolized by the multifaceted fluorite stone.

At Assumption, it is the community’s shared vision that fosters a full flowering of the individual. The three blossoms of gold from the blue fluorite represent the individual coming to full maturity in Christ, in accord with the University’s motto: “Until Christ be formed in you.”

The Assumption University Mace was conceived, designed, created and given as a gift to the University by Paul A. Cavanagh of Greenville, Rhode Island.  Due to its historical significance the Mace remains unchanged despite the transition to Assumption University in 2020.

 

The academic garb worn at today’s ceremony takes its inspiration from the 12th and 13th centuries when most students and teachers were clerics and had taken at least minor holy orders. The assignment of colors to certain faculties, a much later development, was standardized in the United States in the late 19th century. White was assigned to arts and letters; red, a traditional color of the Church, was assigned to theology; green, for herbs, went to medicine; purple, the color of emperors, went to law; and golden yellow, standing for wealth and alchemy, went to the sciences. Because philosophy means the love and pursuit of wisdom, in the case of the Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), dark blue represents the mastery of the discipline of learning and scholarship in any field for which the degree is conferred rather than in the discipline of philosophy alone.

Gowns vary by degree. The bachelor’s gown has pointed sleeves and the master’s gown has oblong sleeves, the rear of which are cut square and the front of which are cut in arcs. Both the bachelor’s and master’s gowns are untrimmed. The doctor’s gown has bell-shaped sleeves and is faced down the front with black velvet. Three bars of velvet cross each sleeve. Often the bars are black, but they may also be in the color distinctive to the discipline in which the degree has been conferred.

In all cases, the exterior of the academic hood is black, and the interior is lined with the official color or colors of the institution that conferred the degree, in Assumption’s case, blue. The bachelor’s hood is three feet in length; the master’s is three and one-half feet; and the doctor’s is four feet. The doctor’s hood alone has panels at the sides. The edges of the hoods are velvet, and are two inches, three inches and five inches for the bachelor’s, master’s and doctor’s degrees, respectively. The color of this trim is indicative of the subject to which the degree pertains.

The mortar board cap may be made of soft or hard material and, as its name suggests, symbolizes the role of learning in building individual and shared futures. The tassel is either black or the color appropriate to the subject, with the exception of the doctor’s tassel, which may be gold.

For all academic purposes, including trimmings of doctors’ gowns, edging of hoods and tassels of caps, the colors associated with different disciplines are as follows: 

Agriculture, maize

Arts, Letters and Humanities, white

Commerce, Accountancy and Business, drab

Economics, copper

Education, light blue

Fine Arts, brown

Law, purple

Library Science, lemon

Medicine, green

Music, pink

Oratory, silver gray

Philosophy, dark blue

Physical Education, sage green

Science, golden

Theology, scarlet

The above text is adapted from American University and Colleges, 16th ed. (New York, 2001), pp. 1859-61.