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.
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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.