Northern Arizona University Commencement & Academic Regalia Guide

Northern Arizona University (NAU) celebrates student achievement at annual commencement ceremonies held each spring and fall in Flagstaff, Arizona. Graduating Lumberjacks participate in structured commencement events that highlight academic success with formal academic regalia including a traditional graduation cap, coordinated graduation gown, tassels, and approved honor cords and stoles. Graduates purchase or rent their regalia — cap, gown, tassel, honor cords, and stoles — from the NAU Bookstore or Herff Jones vendor to ensure proper attire for commencement.

Northern Arizona University Bachelor Cap & Gown, Tassel, Honor Cord & Stoles Color

• Graduation gown color: Bachelor’s candidates typically wear the school’s official navy blue or blue academic gowns that reflect NAU’s identity and unified commencement aesthetics.
• Graduation cap: Classic mortarboard caps are worn with the gown and complete the traditional cap and gown set required for participation.
• Tassel: Tassels accompany the mortarboard; these may reflect school colors or be customized for academic disciplines if provided by the regalia vendor.
• Honor cord: Students earning academic honors may wear honor cords purchased through the NAU Bookstore; these cords commonly include gold accents for Latin honors and other school-approved award recognitions.
• Stoles color: Optional stoles such as the NAU “Stole of Gratitude” add a symbol of accomplishment and university pride and may be offered in colors like gold or blue to complement the graduation gown.

Northern Arizona University Master Cap & Gown, Tassel, Honor Cord & Stoles Color

• Graduation gown color: Master’s candidates also wear NAU’s signature blue graduation gowns, often with academic sleeve distinctions to signify graduate level.
• Graduation cap: The mortarboard cap remains standard for master’s graduates, paired with matching tassels as part of the complete regalia set.
• Tassel: Coordinated tassels reflect academic tradition and may be in school colors or discipline colors if offered.
• Honor cord: Graduate students with distinguished academic performance (e.g., high GPA) can wear honor cords that symbolize advanced scholastic achievement.
• Stoles color: Approved stoles may represent program honors, leadership roles, or academic societies and are typically in colors that complement the blue gown.

Cap & Gown, Tassel, Honor Cord & Stoles (General)

• Academic regalia: All graduates must wear complete cap and gown sets to participate in the commencement procession and diploma conferral, reinforcing institutional ceremony standards.
• Graduation gown color: NAU’s distinct blue gown creates a unified visual identity for bachelor’s and master’s degree recipients.
• Tassels: Tassels included with the cap highlight academic tradition and may be kept as a commencement keepsake.
• Honor cords: Honor cords recognize NAU-specific honors, including Latin honors or program academic distinctions.
• Stoles: Optional stoles such as the Stole of Gratitude or organization-affiliated stoles add personal and cultural significance to the academic regalia.

Faculty Regalia Color

• Faculty regalia: Faculty members wear scholarly robes and hoods that reflect their highest earned degrees, featuring velvet panels and colors indicating academic disciplines, adding ceremonial tradition to the commencement procession.

All Other Discipline Regalia Color

• Discipline regalia: Beyond core blue gowns, tassels and hood accents aligned with fields of study help distinguish academic disciplines during commencement, following broader academic dress customs.

Northern Arizona University’s commencement ceremony blends traditional academic regalia — from mortarboard cap and blue graduation gown to tassel sets, honor cords, and stoles — creating a meaningful and unified celebration of student achievement.