Honors Stoles

Rogers State University undergraduate honor students wear stoles according to the following criteria.

Honor GPA Stole Color
Summa Cum Laude 4.0 Blue
Magna Cum Laude 3.8 Red
Cum Laude 3.6 White

Honor Medallions

Honor Medallions are reserved for undergraduates who are part of an Honors Program or recognized Honor Society.

Group Token
RSU Honors Program Medallion
RSU President’s Leadership Class Medallion
Phi Alpha Theta National History Honor Society Red and Blue Cord & Mixed Tassels
Psi Chi International Honor Society in Psychology Gray Medallion surrounded by Blue
Sigma Beta Delta International Business Honor Society Medallion
Alpha Chi National Interdisciplinary Honor Society Medallion with Green/Blue Ribbon
Kappa Delta Pi International Honor Society in Education (Cameron) Medallion
Pi Sigma Alpha, National Political Science Honor Society Red, White, and Blue Cords

Other Regalia

Graduates may wear cords, pins and other regalia identifying their membership in student groups or organizations that are officially recognized by the university.

Group Regalia
Academic Enrichment Officer Blue & Gold Single Cord 
Alpha Sigma Alpha Sorority Red and White Single Cord 
Alpha Sigma Tau Sorority Red and White Single Cord 
American Advertising Federation (Alpha Delta Sigma Honor Society) Red, White, and Grey Single Cord and Pin 
Biology Club Kelly Green and Royal Blue Single Cord 
Brothers and Sisters of Excellence White and Gold Single Cord  
Campus Activities Team (C.A.T.) Red and Black Single Cord 
  • Officer Red & Black Double Cord 
  • Member Red & Black Single Cord 
Collegiate Roman Catholics White & Gold Vatican Stole 
Criminal Justice Society Black and Blue Single Cord and Pin 
Eco Club Blue, Green, and Silver Single Cord 
Esports Red, Navy & Silver Single Cord
NEDA Campus Warriors Lime Green Single Cord 
Oklahoma Aspiring Educators Association (O.A.E.A) Red, White, and Gold Single Cord  
Phi Alpha Theta honor society Red and Light Blue Single Cord 
Pre-Dental Club  
  • Officer Light Blue and Silver Single Cord 
  • Member Light Blue Single Cord 
Pre-Professional Health Club   
  • Officer Teal & White Single Cord 
  • Member Teal Single Cord
Psi Chi Honor Society Blue and White Single Cord and Medallion 
RSU Pride Lavender Single Cord 
RSU Student Employees Navy Single Cord (must be employed for 2 years)
Social Justice League Purple and Gold Single Cord 
Student Ambassador Association Single Red Cord
Student Art Association:  
  • Officer White Single Cord
  • Member Multi-colored (Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Purple) Single Cord
Student Athlete Advisory Committee Red and Navy Single Cord 
Student Nurses Association:  
  • Officer Gold, Purple, Teal Single Cord 
  • Member White, Purple, and Light Blue Single Cord 
Student Government Association:  
  • One Year of Service Pin with Logo 
  • Two Years of Service Red, Blue, and Gold Single Cord 
  • Leadership Position Red, Black, and Gold Single Cord 
Student Theatre Organization Red, Black, and White Single Cord 
Student Veterans Association Red, White and Blue Single
TRIO Double Cord (Red Single and Black & White Single Cords)

Gonfalons

The gonfalon, a flag that hangs from a crosspiece or frame, originated in the medieval republics of Italy as an ensign of the state of office. Gonfalons have been adopted in many universities around the world as college or institutional insignias.The first two gonfalons displayed represent the two academic schools of Rogers State University and the third is for Cameron University. The gonfalons were designed by James Randall Riggs, B.A., ’04.

Gonfalons for the School of Arts & Sciences Gonfalon for the School of Professional Studies Gonfalon for Cameron University

Mace

Mace

The mace, made of wood, symbolizes the authority of the faculty in academic matters and the practice of shared governance within the university. During the Middle Ages, the mace was an effective weapon in battle. As newer and more powerful arms were developed, its military significance diminished and it was transformed into a symbol of authority. The earliest ceremonial maces were borne by bodyguards of the 12th century English and French kings. By the end of the 16th century, they were used widely by officials of English cities and towns. Today, the use of the ceremonial mace is found in the British Houses of Parliament and it is carried before ecclesiastical dignitaries and in university ceremonies.

Mace Bearer: Carrying the mace has long been a commencement tradition at Rogers State University. Each year, a veteran faculty member bears the mace and leads the commencement processional. The mace was designed by Gary Moeller, an art professor at RSU for 36 years, and crafted by Jerry Emanuel, a Claremore artist. The mace is a six-foot walnut staff featuring the gold dome of Preparatory Hall at the top and the university seal on four sides. Five stripes at its base signify the institution’s various incarnations, including the Oklahoma Military Academy and the present-day university.

Tradition & Symbolism History

With roots dating back to the 14th Century, academic regalia has a rich tradition. In 1895, academic institutions in the United States adopted a code of academic regalia, which has been revised from time to time. The regalia of institutions in other countries vary, and there is not a worldwide code, but the basic elements are present in all academic costumes.

Gowns: The associate and certificate gown is silver in color and features a traditional design. The bachelor’s gown is black and has a pointed sleeve. The master’s gown has an oblong sleeve open at the wrist (some older gowns may be open near the upper part of the arm.)  The doctoral gown has bell-shaped sleeves, full-length velvet panels on the front, and three velvet crossbars on each sleeve in black, blue, or the color distinctive to the degree. Gowns for the Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) are dark blue, and gowns for the Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) are light blue.

Hoods: The hood, draped over the shoulder and down the back, indicates the subject to which the degree pertains and the university that conferred the degree. The level of the degree is indicated by the size of the hood. The velvet binding of the hood is the color designating the subject of the degree. The satin lining of the hood indicates the university conferring the degree.

Caps: In the United States, the mortar board is commonly used. The mortar board is black for those receiving a bachelor’s degree and silver for those receiving an associate degree. The tassel, fastened to the center of the cap, is normally worn in the left front quadrant of the cap after a degree is conferred. All undergraduates receiving degrees wear red tassels. Candidates for the Master of Business Administration wear drab tassels. Faculty tassels may be black, gold or the color appropriate to the subject of the degree. The tassel for the doctoral cap may be of gold thread.

Student Honor Cords: An Honor Cord is traditionally a token consisting of twisted cords with tassels on either end awarded to members of honor societies and academic programs. Sashes, stoles or medallions may be given in place of cords. Unlike hoods and stoles, by tradition more than one cord may be worn at the same time.