Edited by Azizi Powell
This is Part I of a multi-part pancocojams series about the custom of non-academic university organizations in the United States conferring stoles and/or cords and/or other decorations such as medallions (medals) to its members to wear during those members' graduation ceremonies.
This pancocojams post presents three online AI (Artificial Intelligence) results about that subject..
Click __ for Part II of this pancocojams series.
Click __ for Part III of this pancocojams series.
The content of this post is presented for historical and socio-cultural purposes.
All copyrights remain with their owners.
Thanks to all those who provided information so that AI could present this information online as it is found in this post.
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Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2014/02/wearing-kente-cloth-stoles-during.html "Wearing Kente Cloth Stoles During American Graduation Ceremonies"
Also, click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2025/05/continuing-custom-beginning-around-2010.html "Continuing The African American Custom Of Wearing At Least One Kente Cloth Stole Over Their Graduation Gown During Their University Graduation Ceremony"
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Wearing kente cloth stoles during university graduations (or far less often during high school graduations) in the United States are examples of how stoles can be conferred to graduates for non-academic reasons.
These links reflect my belief that the widespread custom in the United States of members of university based historically Black Greek letter organizations wearing one or more kente cloth stoles during their university graduations probably helped and continues to help other Greek letter organizations and other non-academic university organizations establish or strengthen their custom of giving stoles and cords to their members to wear during their universities' graduation ceremonies.
There are two different customs that are associated with wearing kente cloth stoles during university graduation ceremonies from a historically Black university (HBCU) of from a PWI (Predominately White university)
1. A wide selection of kente cloth color combinations/designs that can be worn by anyone who is of Black descent.
2. A kente cloth stole in a specific color combination/design of kente cloth that can only be worn by members of a specific historically Black Greek letter fraternity or historically Black Greek letter sorority, including non-Black members of those organizations. hose specially designed stoles include the three Greek letters of that organization and the graduation year.
Please add to the historical and cultural record by sharing information about this subject in this pancocojams post's comment section. Thanks!
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Also, click https://kentecloth.com/blog/kente-cloth-patterns-and-meanings/ for information and drawings of 17 types of traditional kente cloth. Those examples don't include what I refer to as the pan-African kente cloth combination and design. Nor does that article include examples of the nine historically Black Greek letter fraternities and sororities that are members of the National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC; colloquially known as "the Divine Nine".) since those color combinations (and the pan-African kente cloth stole color combination ?) aren't traditional to the Ghanaian and Ivory Coast cultures that originated kente cloth.
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AI (ONLINE) RESULTS FOR MY QUESTIONS ON THIS SUBJECT (June 2, 2025)
These results are given in the order that those questions were asked. Numbers are added for referencing purposes only.
AI RESULT #1
My question: When
did the custom begin of university graduates in the United States wearing cords in their graduation ceremonies to honor their accomplishments?"
AI review – results June 2, 2025
"AI Overview
The practice of university graduates wearing cords to honor
accomplishments has a long history, with its roots in European academic
traditions. While the specific use of cords for academic achievement in the US
is more recent, the symbolism behind honor cords and similar garments dates
back to the 14th century.
Elaboration:
Ancient Origins:
The custom of wearing gowns and other academic regalia for
graduation ceremonies began in Europe, particularly in the 12th and 13th
centuries, with scholars wearing distinctive garments to signify their status
and academic achievements.
Medieval Influence:
These practices were borrowed from the Catholic and Anglican
churches, where clergy wore garments like stoles to designate rank and specific
honors.
American Adoption:
Early American universities, founded by clergymen, adopted
many of these traditions, and cords were used to differentiate between
different levels of achievement, with those with master's degrees or higher
wearing them.
Modern Standardization:
In the 19th century, a standardized uniform academic costume
code was established in the United States, which is largely reflected in the
regalia worn today.
Evolution of Cords:
While the use of cords for specific academic honors may be
more recent, their symbolism of achievement is deeply rooted in academic
traditions dating back centuries.”
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AI RESULT #2
[This closely related AI result was found after the end of the result that is given above.] - date retrieved: June 2, 2025
"Why do graduates wear cords?
AI Overview
Why do we wear Graduation Gowns?. Graduation is a big step
...
Graduation cords are worn to recognize and symbolize a
graduate's academic achievements, extracurricular involvement, and/or
membership in specific honor societies or organizations. They are a visible way
to honor accomplishments throughout a student's academic journey.
Here's a more detailed explanation:
Academic Honors:
Cords can signify graduating with honors, such as cum laude,
magna cum laude, or summa cum laude. Different colors or combinations of colors
may be used to indicate different levels of achievement.
Honor Society Membership:
Cords can represent membership in specific honor societies,
such as the National Honor Society.
Extracurricular Involvement:
Some schools or organizations may award cords for
significant participation in extracurricular activities, such as athletics,
clubs, or service organizations.
School or Department Affiliation:
Cords can also signify graduation from a particular school
or department within a university.
Military Service:
In some cases, cords may be worn by graduates who have
served in the military.
Symbolic Representation:
Cords serve as a visual reminder of a graduate's dedication,
hard work, and achievements.
AI responses may include mistakes. “
AI RESULTS #3
My question: W
“AI Overview
While academic regalia like gowns and hoods have a long
history dating back to medieval times, the tradition of university
extracurricular organizations awarding graduation cords is a more recent
development in the US.
The following information is available:
Academic Regalia Origins: Wearing academic regalia,
including caps, gowns, and hoods, began in medieval Europe and was brought to
the US. Scholars initially wore these garments for warmth.
19th Century Standardisation: US universities started
standardizing graduation regalia in the late 1800s.
Focus on Equality: Standardization aimed to promote
equality, ensuring all graduates were equally honored, regardless of their
background.
Stole and Cord Evolution: Graduation stoles have a history
rooted in clerical garb, and evolved to signify academic achievement and
affiliation with specific groups such as fraternities and sororities.
Modern Use of Cords: Academic clubs were allowed to wear
cords at graduation at least eight years ago, but a specific date for when
extracurricular organizations universally began awarding cords for graduates is
not available.
Variety of Cord Providers: Graduation cords are now commonly
awarded by various groups, including:
Honor societies
Academic departments
Greek life organizations
Cultural organizations
Student government associations (SGA)
Scholars programs
Organizations recognizing academic excellence
Groups acknowledging specific achievements or contributions
In summary, the practice of extracurricular organizations
giving out graduation cords for graduates is a more modern development within
US universities, with evidence suggesting it was happening at least eight years
ago. The history of academic regalia is quite old."
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This concludes Part I of this pancocojams series.
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