Yes, you can wear multiple cords at graduation. It is a long-standing tradition to wear more than one honor cord simultaneously.
Understanding Honor Cords
An honor cord is a distinctive academic regalia item, typically consisting of twisted cords with tassels at each end. These cords are worn over graduation gowns and serve as a visual representation of a student's notable accomplishments.
What Do Honor Cords Signify?
Honor cords are tokens designed to signify specific achievements and affiliations during commencement ceremonies. They are a way for graduates to proudly display their dedication and success in various areas throughout their academic journey.
Common significances include:
- Academic Achievement: Recognition for maintaining a high GPA, graduating with honors (e.g., cum laude, magna cum laude, summa cum laude).
- Membership in Honor Societies: Acknowledgment of active participation and excellence within recognized academic honor groups or societies (e.g., Phi Beta Kappa, Golden Key, national honor societies for specific majors).
- Leadership and Service: Recognition for significant contributions to the university community through leadership roles in student organizations, community service, or volunteer work.
- Program-Specific Excellence: Distinguished performance within particular academic programs or departments.
Why Are Multiple Cords Worn?
Students often excel in multiple areas, leading to the opportunity to wear several cords. For instance, a student might graduate with honors, be a member of an honor society related to their major, and also belong to a general academic honor society. Each distinct achievement or affiliation can be represented by a unique cord, allowing graduates to showcase the breadth of their accomplishments.
It is common and accepted for graduates to wear multiple cords, each representing a different aspect of their academic success or involvement, thereby celebrating their diverse achievements collectively on their graduation day.
