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Tuesday, June 3, 2025

The Custom Of Non-Academic University Organizations In The United States Conferring Stoles And/Or Cords To Its Members To Wear During Their Graduation Ceremonies (Part I - Online "AI Results")

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"
-snip-
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. “

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AI RESULTS #3
My question: W
hen did American university organizations begin giving out cords to their members to wear in their graduating ceremonies?- June 2, 2025

“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.

Thanks for visiting pancocojams.

Visitor comments are welcome. 

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