The Presidential Medallion
The Presidential Medallion was
presented to the College at the
seventy-fifth anniversary celebration.
Symbolizing authority, this medallion,
embossed with the College's seal, is
worm by the president of the College at
formal convocations.
The use of formal academic dress has
its origins in the fourteenth century.
As early as 1321, the University of
Coimbra required all "Doctors,
Licentiates and Bachelors" to wear
academic gowns. In En- gland, especially
at Cambridge and Oxford Universities,
strict control of academic apparel has
been traditional for six centuries.
In 1895, a group of representatives met
at Columbia University to formulate a
code of academic dress for American
universities. This code, revised in 1932
and 1959 by committees appointed for
that purpose by the American Council on
Education, prescribe the accepted use of
academic regalia.
The pageantry of an academic procession
has developed along with the various
customs associated with academic dress.
In an academic procession, most of the
participants wear an academic costume
consisting of a cap, gown and hood, each
symbolizing some aspect of the wearer's
academic background.
BACHELOR'S DEGREE-The
gown worm by the holder of a bachelor's
degree has pointed sleeves and is
designed to be worm closed.
MASTER'S DEGREE-The
gown worm by the holder of a master's
degree has an oblong sleeve with open
wrist and base hanging down. The rear
part of the sleeve is square cut, and
the front part has an are cut away. The
gown is designed so that it may be worm
open or closed.
DOCTOR'S DEGREE-The
gown worn by the holder of a doctor's
degree has bell shaped sleeves and is
designed to be worn open or closed. The
gown is faced down in front with black
velvet and has three bars of black
velvet across the sleeves. The facings
and crossbars may be of velvet and in
the color distinctive of the subject to
which the degree pertains.
The Hood
The hood represents the
institution from which the wearer holds
his advanced degree and also indicates
the subject in which his degree is
earned. The length of the hood for the
bachelor's degree is three feet; for the
master's degree, three and one-half
feet; and for the doctor's degree, four
feet. The hood worm for the doctor's
degree has panels at the sides, unlike
the hoods for the other two degrees. The
hoods are lined with the official color
or colors of the college or university
conferring the degree. The trimming of
the hood is made of velvet or velveteen,
and the color is that which represents
the subject in which the degree was
earned. The most common colors seen are
as follows:
The Mace
On official occasions of
outstanding importance, such as
degree-granting ceremonies or other
dedications including the Convocation of
the College, the Voorhees Mace is
carried at the front of the pro-
cessions. Presented to the College at
the Founder's Day Convocation in 1976 by
the Graduating Class of 1975, this
ceremonial Mace, designed and fashioned
by one of the world's most famous
English silver- smiths, Leslie Durbin,
is the symbol of the College's unity and
authority as well as the endeavors of
the entire College community. It was
created and de- signed to depict the
College's Seat, a symbol that has
prevailed on all of Voorhees official
documents. The sterling silver crown and
pure blue and white enameled Eben-Ezer
rock, around which is placed a half
circular crown, are indicate of the
difficulties. Extending from the shaft
are two silk ropes of blue and white,
the colors of Voorhees College. Placing
the Mace on its stand is a signal that
the proceedings are about to come to
order; its retirement indicates that the
ceremonies are concluded.
When not on duty, the Mace is placed
in the College's Archives. Due to its
special association, the Mace is price-
less to the Voorhees community; but in
everyday terms, because of its
craftsmanship, its value has possibly
tripled since it was presented to the
College. Originally, a mace was used as
an offensive weapon, made of iron and
steel, to break through armor. Later it
was used as a symbol of authority by
France and England as early as the
twelfth century by state officials. It
was borne by royal bodyguards to the
King and other royal dignitaries.
However, since about the sixteenth
century, A.D., it has been used by the
great halls of learning or universities.
Today, it is the official emblem of
colleges and universities in the United
States and the world, and it is home in
all processions of major academic
functions.
Marshall
Although in early times marshals
were associated with military commands
or civil authorities, today they are
more commonly used when gowned officials
in academe are in convocational
processions. The idea was introduced in
England as an important part of the
university system where academic
officials were required to march in
processions to their hallowed ivydecks
hafts. By the end of the seventeenth
century, this practice has become a
recognized procedure in most European
centers of higher education. In fact,
the practice assumed a major role at all
major convocations or commencements that
were held during the academic year.
The role of marshal continues to be
an important part of academe. Today, you
will note that there are several levels
of marshals in the procession. The chief
marshal, who opens and closes the
convocation, is at the front of the
procession. There are other marshals
also who give directions to the faculty,
to the graduates and to other
individuals in the procession.
Graduates' Pledge
With a solemn sense of my
responsibility,
I pledge myself To hold my Diploma as a
sacred trust,
An emblem of my obligation to serve my
fellowman,
And to keep its significance inviolate
in loyalty to my Alma Mater
And with fidelity to my country and to
my God.
