Commencement

virtual ceremony Saturday, December 19, 2020

independence, missouri

124th

CommencementSaturday, December 19, 2020

Processional .................................Pomp and Circumstance ............................ Jack Ergo, MM Edward Elgar Associate Professor of Music

Welcome ................................................................................................ Patricia H. Draves, PhD President

Invocation ............................................................................................Harry J. Ashenhurst, PhD Graceland University Board of Trustees Chair

Introduction of Speakers ..................................................................... Patricia H. Draves, PhD

Address ......................................................................................... Graceland University Faculty Montel Evans, MEd, Edmund J. Gleazer School of Education Kathleen Lenz, DNP, School of Nursing Tony Chvala-Smith, PhD, Community of Christ Seminary

Alumni Award for Excellence in Teaching ................................................. Michele Black, MBA Alumni Board President

Conferring of Doctoral Degrees ............................................................................Jill Rhea, PhD Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of Faculty

Conferring of Master’s Degrees ...........................................................................Jill Rhea, PhD

Reading of Graduate Names ........................Graceland University Academic Administrators Sharon Little-Stoetzel, PhD, Dean, School of Nursing Jolene Lynn, PhD, Associate Dean, School of Nursing Michele Dickey-Kotz, EdD, Dean, Edmund J. Gleazer School of Education Rev. Zac Harmon-McLaughlin, DMin, Director, Community of Christ Seminary

Conferring of Bachelor's Degrees ........................................................................Jill Rhea, PhD

Announcement of Academic Achievements ........................................................Jill Rhea, PhD

Reading of Undergraduate Names .......................................................... David D. Schaal, EdD Vice President for Student Life and Dean of Students

Alumni Induction Statement ...................................................................... Michele Black, MBA

Closing Remarks ................................................................................... Patricia H. Draves, PhD

Alma Mater Hymn ....................................................... Graceland University Combined Choirs Sara Blessing, MM Director of Choral/Vocal Activities, Assistant Professor of Music

Come Graceland sons and daughters all, And join our happy throng. With loyal voices let us raise Our Alma Mater song; O Hillcrest home of vision wide, Where bonds of love hold sway. Where all may learn in life and lore ‘Tis thee we praise today.

Through memory a thread shall run, Of golden richness made. Cementing there the treasures rare In thy foundation laid; O Alma Mater, guide us on, Thy standard e’er unfold And call us on with memories Of days ‘neath the Blue and Gold.

Through years and decades long to come Thy battlemented tower, Shall rise to call the youth of lands To answer to the hour; And while thy work shall carry on, Our benisons are told In lives of honor, truth and right: The seal of the Blue and Gold.

Benediction .........................................................................................................Jamiann Smith Community of Christ Seminary Graduate

Recessional ....................................... Trumpet Tune in D ................................... Jack Ergo, MM Purcell

Magna Cum Laude (3.75-3.89)

Julianna Marie SowerwineElisabeth Tommy Wright

Landry Pearl RogersClaudia Gunlaya Tang

Leah Grace EckartAshley Nicole Lusby

Kaylea Diane BultmannMeghan Maureen BrownleeShannon Brianne Suprise

Hannah Nicole Yardley

Christel Renee RouseElnara Vladimirovna Tamrazova

Karah Renee FisherChristina Lauren Koch

Andrea Elise PattonCody Lyle Sapp

Graceland UniversityCANDIDATES for GRADUATION

December 19, 2020

Honor Graduates

Stacy Dawn BurnettAmber Rachelle Bjarnason

Haley Morgan BurgeShelby Katelin Gomez

Alexxus LindseyShantel Van Hauen

Brittany Kristen HokeMelinda Kay Johns

Summa Cum Laude (3.90-4.00)

Cum Laude (3.50-3.74)

Bachelor of Arts

Stephanie Renae Ambler Elementary Education Kansas City, MO Haley Morgan Burge Elementary Education Raymore, MO Andrea Elaine Burkhart Elementary Education Lexington, MO Kandis Jean Dyer Elementary Education Odessa, MO Karah Renee Fisher Elementary Education Independence, MO Shelby Katelin Gomez Elementary Education Kansas City, MO Cassie Dian Holcer Elementary Education Chula, MO Kayla Nichole Hyer Elementary Education Trenton, MO Melinda Kay Johns Health Care Management Independence, MO Stephanie M. Krerowicz Elementary Education Grain Valley, MO Katlynn Marie Mason Elementary Education Blue Springs, MO Andrea Matson Elementary Education Oak Grove, MO Michaela Matthews Business Administration Norborne, MO Cusandra Gail Miller Elementary Education Kansas City, MO Andrea Elise Patton Elementary Education Blue Springs, MO Christel Renee Rouse Elementary Education Raytown, MO Cody Lyle Sapp Elementary Education Kansas City, MO Michaela Marie Seymour Business Administration Sibley, MO Ashley Karen Skelton Elementary Education Kearney, MO Julianna Marie Sowerwine Elementary Education Odessa, MO Stephanie Lynn Stumpf Elementary Education Kansas City, MO Breanna Elizabeth Vaca Elementary Education Kansas City, MO Lisa K. Winch Health Care Management Lee's Summit, MO Hannah Nicole Yardley Elementary Education Grain Valley, MO Katelyn Rose Zahner Elementary Education Oak Grove, MO

Bachelor of Science in Nursing

Charlee Anderson Nursing Blue Springs, MO Stacy Jo Anderson Nursing Des Moines, IA Tayler Rae Archer Nursing Holt, MOSQT Amber Rachelle Bjarnason Nursing Kansas City, MO Cassandra Diane Brillhart-Green Nursing Coweta, OKSQT Meghan Maureen Brownlee Nursing Kansas City, MO Kaylea Diane Bultmann Nursing Carrollton, MOSQT Stacy Dawn Burnett Nursing Grain Valley, MO

Andrew Victor Canfield Nursing Sibley, MO Teresa Canal Cano Nursing Coral Gables, FL Alex M. Chamberlain Nursing Independence, MO Retha Faye Clemmons Nursing St. Joseph, MO Tammy A. Ditta Nursing West Monroe, LA Leah Grace Eckart Nursing Blue Springs, MO Kasey Renee Farrell Nursing Blue Springs, MO Kimberly Jean Farris Nursing Independence, MO John A. Fenton Nursing Woodland Park, CO Reece Fleming Nursing Raytown, MO Shannon Fry Nursing Erie, IL Lauren A. Gillespie Nursing Lee's Summit, MO Ronny Keith Gordon Jr. Nursing Newcastle, OK Rachel Leigh Hall Nursing Independence, MO Chassidy Hansen Nursing Blue Springs, MO Annhely Paloma Herrera Nursing Juarez, Mexico Brittany Kristen Hoke Nursing Independence, MOSQT Kacy Lynne Houser Nursing Breinigsville, PA Alexa Corrine Hyder Nursing Overland Park, KS Desiree Dawn Jenkins Nursing Kailua-Kona, HI Annie F. Kenne Melong Nursing Lee's Summit, MO Crystal Gail Kinzalow-Hardimon Nursing Oklahoma City, OK Alicia Dawn Knox Nursing Hedrick, IASQT Christina Lauren Koch Nursing St. Louis, MO Anna Lee Krueger Nursing Kansas City, MO Brent C. Lamb Nursing Norman, OK Shelby Larson Nursing Independence, MOSQT Alexxus Lindsey Nursing Blue Springs, MO Hallie Sue Linhart Nursing Weldon, IA Soudarath Liu Nursing Rogers, AR Rachel Elizabeth Loethen Nursing Liberty, MO Jennifer K. Long Nursing Las Vegas, NVSQT Ashley Nicole Lusby Nursing Kansas City, MO Lauren Kay Mancieri Nursing Newton, IA Shelby May Nursing Blue Springs, MO Kerrie Dawn McDaniel Nursing Edmond, OK Monica Meza Nursing Grain Valley, MO Mackenzie Lee Miller Nursing Independence, MO Susan Miner Nursing Etna, WY Dorian Sandra Mitchell Nursing Kansas City, MO Glenasha Loretta Moore Nursing Kansas City, MO Desiree Rees Nelson Nursing Fayetteville, AR Jamie Nelson Nursing Independence, MOSQT Tiffany Marie Noone Nursing Albany, OR Colby Elizabeth O'Dell Nursing Lee's Summit, MO Brianne Lee Peterson Nursing Traverse City, MISQT Scott Daniel Ramirez Nursing Milwaukee, WI Landry Pearl Rogers Nursing Grain Valley, MO Andres Ruiz Nursing Atlanta, GA Blake Russell Nursing Oak Grove, MO Sarah Elizabeth Sharp Nursing Talihina, OK Jordan Marie Stevens Nursing Rolla, MOSQT Shannon Brianne Suprise Nursing Kansas City, MO Elnara Vladimirovna Tamrazova Nursing Independence, MOSQT Claudia Gunlaya Tang Nursing Rockville, MD Donovan Templeton Nursing Kansas City, MO Katherine Lynn Thompson Nursing Lancaster, MO William Karl Thummel Nursing Broken Arrow, OK Shantel Van Hauen Nursing Charles City, IA Tina Marie Walton Nursing Lee's Summit, MO Grace Ellen Wood Nursing Independence, MO Elisabeth Tommy Wright Nursing Buhler, KS Paige Taylor Wulff Nursing Tuscumbia, MO

AC,

Master of Arts in Religion

Debra Lynn Bruch Religion Houghton, MI David Cameron Davis Religion Independence, MO Kathy S. Fallon Religion Pittsburg, PA Jennifer Ann Hedman Religion Placerville, CA James J. Pycior Religion Independence, MO Ashley Nicole Sebree Religion Oklahoma City, OK Jamiann Michelle Smith Religion Indianapolis, IN Kevin Joseph White Religion West Branch, MI Kevin Poul Wilson Religion Independence, MO Master of Education

Kaleigh Bowling Literacy Instruction Columbus, OH Amy Jo DeFrance Special Education Bozeman, MT Emily Louise Ganson Literacy Instruction Independence, MO Alisa Jeanne Gouraud Literacy Instruction Port Coquitlam, Malaysia KaCei Brook Gunnels Literacy Instruction Novinger, MO Mikaela Verran Kingsolver Special Education Kansas City, MO Kimberlee Christine Mooney Instructional Leadership Lee's Summit, MO Margaret Redlinger Instructional Leadership Vinton, IA Amy M. Snyder Literacy Instruction Wellington, MO Master of Science in Nursing

Timothy Joseph Andersen Family Nurse Practitioner Salt Lake City, UT Stacy Jo Anderson Family Nurse Practitioner Des Moines, IA Agnes Antwi Family Nurse Practitioner Aurora, CO Adam Cole Ashby Adult & Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Kansas City, MO Spencer Marie Ashby Adult & Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Kansas City, MO Jasmine Burcak Barnhart Family Nurse Practitioner Medford, OR Amanda Barrett Family Nurse Practitioner Wichita, KSSQT Alicia Ann Becker Adult & Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Traverse City, MI Angela Joy Becker Family Nurse Practitioner American Fork, UTSQT Cody Allen Bell Family Nurse Practitioner Ottawa, KSSQT Sondra Jo Bell Family Nurse Practitioner Kennedale, TX Michael David Black Family Nurse Practitioner Eagleville, MO Jo Frances Blasengame Adult & Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Star City, AR Jenna Nicole Blundell Family Nurse Practitioner Haughton, LA Hope Elizabeth Breitbach Family Nurse Practitioner North Liberty, IA Cassandra Diane Brillhart-Green Family Nurse Practitioner Coweta, OK Rachael Cecelia Brooks Family Nurse Practitioner Cherryvale, KS Tiffany Lynn Brown Family Nurse Practitioner Topeka, KS Jessica Nichole Bryant Family Nurse Practitioner Holton, KSSQT Sara Marie Burns Family Nurse Practitioner Lee's Summit, MO Aftin Elise Bye Family Nurse Practitioner Fargo, ND Devin M. Caraccio Family Nurse Practitioner Centerville, IA Courtney Chance Family Nurse Practitioner Springfield, MO Aaron Chun Fai Chu Family Nurse Practitioner Wichita, KS Retha Faye Clemmons Family Nurse Practitioner St. Joseph, MOSQT Erin Cline Family Nurse Practitioner West Liberty, IASQT Erica K. Clough Family Nurse Practitioner Lone Jack, MO Rhaya Coombs Family Nurse Practitioner Tallahassee, FLSQT Milly S. Cox Family Nurse Practitioner Oklahoma City, OKSQT Bonnie Daniel Family Nurse Practitioner Neosho, MO Tammy A. Ditta Family Nurse Practitioner West Monroe, LASQT Jamie Gayle Dodd Adult & Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Sherman, TX Nataliia Dodge Family Nurse Practitioner Philadelphia, PA Russell S. Doxey Family Nurse Practitioner Ogden, UT Cindy Dudley Family Nurse Practitioner Spokane, WA Natalie Duimstra Family Nurse Practitioner Beaverton, OR Kortnie Michelle Duthoo Family Nurse Practitioner St. Joseph, MO Lauren Layne Eitzmann Family Nurse Practitioner Republic, KS

Samantha Jo Emry Adult & Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Camdenton, MO Rebekah Ann Fairchild Adult & Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Bartlesville, OK Kimberly Jean Farris Family Nurse Practitioner Independence, MO Lisa Marie Ferrentino Family Nurse Practitioner North Port, FL Chelsea Rae Ferris Family Nurse Practitioner Topeka, KS Aryn Ashley Lewis Fidler Family Nurse Practitioner St. Joseph, MOSQT Summer Brianne Flandermeyer Family Nurse Practitioner Liberty, MO Monica Jinell Fleming Adult & Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner St. George, UTSQT Aaron Yuong-Mean Fong Nurse Educator San Francisco, CA Ashley Nicole Frasier Family Nurse Practitioner Wahiawa, HI Hugh Michael Freitas Family Nurse Practitioner Del Rio, TX Kevin James Garrison Family Nurse Practitioner Coweta, OKSQT Angela Nicole George Family Nurse Practitioner Webb City, MO Katelyn Marie Gianino Family Nurse Practitioner Overland Park, KS Maria Giraskova Family Nurse Practitioner Postville, IA Jennifer C. Goodwin Family Nurse Practitioner Stonewall, LA Ronny Keith Gordon Jr. Family Nurse Practitioner Newcastle, OK Flora Ann Gorham Family Nurse Practitioner Kansas City, MO Beth Nichole Grimes Family Nurse Practitioner Knoxville, IA Joslin Gust Family Nurse Practitioner Powdersville, SC Toni Gutierrez Family Nurse Practitioner Lee's Summit, MO Erin Hager Family Nurse Practitioner Logan, UTSQT Angela Renae Hannah Family Nurse Practitioner Parkville, MO Rachael Harder Family Nurse Practitioner Augusta, KS Rachel Hanna Harrington Family Nurse Practitioner Hoyt, KS Holly Lynn Harris Adult & Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Seattle, WASQT Sherry Ruth Hart Family Nurse Practitioner Yukon, OK Heather Rachelle Heady Family Nurse Practitioner Galena, KSSQT Stevie Jae Hiatt Family Nurse Practitioner St. Joseph, MO Trina Dawn Holm Family Nurse Practitioner Bemidji, MN Elizabeth Anne Horney Family Nurse Practitioner Berryton, KSSQT Stephanie Raychael Hulse Family Nurse Practitioner Republic, MO Sadia Islam Family Nurse Practitioner Dhaka, Bangladesh Jamuna Jackson Adult & Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Topeka, KS Nelson Alexander Jaco Family Nurse Practitioner Logan, UT Rachel Ann Jefferis Family Nurse Practitioner Anthony, KS Lisa Jensen Adult & Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Twin Falls, IDSQT Eleanor Johnson Family Nurse Practitioner Montgomery, NY Edward Mwaura Karanja Family Nurse Practitioner Lenexa, KSSQT Sara Elizabeth Kelly Family Nurse Practitioner Topeka, KSSQT Courtney Kelso Family Nurse Practitioner Overland Park, KSSQT Patrick Blake Kent Family Nurse Practitioner Altoona, IA Crystal Gail Kinzalow-Hardimon Family Nurse Practitioner Oklahoma City, OKSQT Loduska Kirchner Adult & Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Washington Island, WI Matthew R. Klein Family Nurse Practitioner Des Moines, IA Jammie Kay Klobes Family Nurse Practitioner Grove City, MN Carly Anne Knoblauch Family Nurse Practitioner Wichita, KS Alicia Dawn Knox Family Nurse Practitioner Hedrick, IA Jesse Koller Family Nurse Practitioner Waconia, MN Jesse Anthony Kribbs Family Nurse Practitioner Independence, MO Anna Lee Krueger Family Nurse Practitioner Kansas City, MO Brent C. Lamb Family Nurse Practitioner Norman, OK Kelli Christine Lichte Family Nurse Practitioner Lexington, MO Soudarath Liu Family Nurse Practitioner Rogers, AR Teadora Isabel Locke Family Nurse Practitioner Kansas City, MO Rachel Elizabeth Loethen Family Nurse Practitioner Liberty, MO Derrick Lugano Adult & Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Tulsa, OK Lauren Kay Mancieri Family Nurse Practitioner Newton, IA Jaclyn Michelle Marble Family Nurse Practitioner Slinger, WI Stephanie Nicole Marrs Family Nurse Practitioner Salina, KS Matthew Martini Family Nurse Practitioner Las Vegas, NV Kerrie Dawn McDaniel Family Nurse Practitioner Edmond, OK Laura V. McDonald Family Nurse Practitioner Lawton, OK Ashlyn Nicole McGinnis Family Nurse Practitioner Salt Lake City, UT

Alana Christine McKinney Family Nurse Practitioner Union City, OK Haley Marie McLaughlin Family Nurse Practitioner Carroll, IASQT Clayton John Merritt Family Nurse Practitioner Seymour, IA Lauren Meyer Family Nurse Practitioner Overland Park, KS Jessica Mies Family Nurse Practitioner Garden Plain, KS Susan Miner Family Nurse Practitioner Etna, WY Lindsey Jane Moeckel Family Nurse Practitioner Edmond, OKSQT Lisa Torrey Monteverde Family Nurse Practitioner New Orleans, LA Theresa Mund Family Nurse Practitioner Boerne, TX Desiree Rees Nelson Family Nurse Practitioner Fayetteville, AR Kristin Nersesyan Family Nurse Practitioner Lee's Summit, MO Janae Danielle Nilges Family Nurse Practitioner Whiting, KSSQT Tiffany Marie Noone Family Nurse Practitioner Albany, OR Roseline Uju Nwigwe Family Nurse Practitioner Oklahoma City, OK Jessica Leigh Ogden Family Nurse Practitioner Albia, IA Brandi Cheyenne Osburn Family Nurse Practitioner Lenexa, KS Linsey Nicole Palmacci Family Nurse Practitioner Mount Dora, FL Angie Parrett Family Nurse Practitioner Neosho, MO Marina Akhtar Pathan Family Nurse Practitioner Ankeny, IA Jackelyn Peterson Family Nurse Practitioner Minnetonka, MN Christie Pope Family Nurse Practitioner Scranton, IASQT Alysa Kay Pressnall Family Nurse Practitioner Ponca City, OKSQT Scott Daniel Ramirez Family Nurse Practitioner Milwaukee, WISQT Dedra Rose Rathgeber Family Nurse Practitioner Anthony, KS Amy Lee Reinert Family Nurse Practitioner Indianola, IA Amy Remy Family Nurse Practitioner Blanchard, OK Jessica Nicole Rice Family Nurse Practitioner Willard, MO Heather Niccole Richardson Family Nurse Practitioner Miami, OK Tiffany Dawn Rightmire Family Nurse Practitioner Edmond, OK Kimberly Aromy Rivera Family Nurse Practitioner Madisonville, LA Everett Henri Roberts Family Nurse Practitioner Waterloo, IA Jacqualine Robinson Adult & Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Wichita, KS Clare Ann Roewe Family Nurse Practitioner Kansas City, MO Kendra Marie Lynn Rose Family Nurse Practitioner Harrisonville, MO Molly Lynn Salmonsen Adult & Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Albia, IA Daryl Glenn Sanford Family Nurse Practitioner Welch, MN Renee Ann Schroeder Family Nurse Practitioner Wichita, KSSQT Amanda Kaye Schulte Family Nurse Practitioner Burlington, KS Brandy Renee Scott Family Nurse Practitioner Norway, IA Sheldon Zechariah Seemann Family Nurse Practitioner Rochester, MN Abigail Sepanic Family Nurse Practitioner Urbandale, IA Sarah Elizabeth Sharp Family Nurse Practitioner Talihina, OK Eric James Shipley Family Nurse Practitioner Burlington, IA Margaret M. Simmons Family Nurse Practitioner West Des Moines, IA Laura Slaugh Family Nurse Practitioner Sandy, UT Jennifer Stark Family Nurse Practitioner New Orleans, LASQT Sabrina Stephens Family Nurse Practitioner Miami, OK Jordan Dale Terry Family Nurse Practitioner Norman, OK Cindy Thompson Adult & Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Lee's Summit, MO William Karl Thummel Family Nurse Practitioner Broken Arrow, OKSQT Krista Kay Weaver Family Nurse Practitioner Haysville, KS Jenna Dee Weekley Family Nurse Practitioner Auburn, KS Sarah Elizabeth Wetter Family Nurse Practitioner Salina, KS Jill Wettstein Adult & Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Bel Aire, KS Meghann Whatley Family Nurse Practitioner Clinton, AR Tyler Wayne White Family Nurse Practitioner Oklahoma City, OK Melissa Lee Whitney Family Nurse Practitioner Las Vegas, NV Brittany Marie Wohlfeil Family Nurse Practitioner Milwaukee, WI Amanda Wood Family Nurse Practitioner Lathrop, MO Paige Taylor Wulff Family Nurse Practitioner Tuscumbia, MO Anastasia Wyatt Family Nurse Practitioner Kansas City, MO Aurelia Young Family Nurse Practitioner Unionville, MOSQT Mara Zello Family Nurse Practitioner Phoenix, AZ

Doctor of Nursing Practice

Ashley Lynn Adams Organizational Leadership Knoxville, IA Dana O'Mary Organizational Leadership Kailua Kona, HI

AC Alpha Chi — National College Honor SocietySQT Sigma Theta Tau — International Honor Society of Nursing, Pi Eta chapter International sashes are optionally worn to represent nationality and/or study abroad experiences.

Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the printed program. The appearance of a name in the list of degree candidates is not to be regarded as conclusive. Degrees are not awarded until all final grades are received and requirements are verified.

Honor graduates were determined based on cumulative grade point average and letter-graded credits as of Nov. 18, 2020, and will be changed appropriately after posting final grades.

alma mater Hymn

Graceland University Board of Trustees

Harry J. Ashenhurst, PhD, Chair, Scottsdale, AZSue Bevington, Vice Chair, Kirkland, WADavid J. Brown, MBA, Treasurer, Blue Springs, MO Michelle Waite, Secretary, Des Peres, MORobert G. “Bob” Ackerley, Houston, TX Michele Black, MBA, Lee's Summit, MO Joe Booz, JD, Scottsdale, AZStassi D. Cramm, PhD, St. Charles, MONancy Tanner Edwards, PhD, St. Joseph, MOJohn Glaser, PhD, Independence, MO Karen Jewell, JD, Houston, TXIvan Joseph, PhD, Waterloo, ON, CanadaAleksandar “Aleks” Memca, San Diego, CAJohn Sheehy, Blue Springs, MODennis Shields, JD, Platteville, WISamuel G. “Sam” Smalldon, Calgary, AB, CanadaJulia Snethen, PhD, Kenosha, WIRyan Watson, Overland Park, KSMichael R. Wiley, PhD, Zionsville, IN

Graceland University Administration

Patricia H. Draves, PhD President

Talia Brown, MEd Chief Information Officer

Kathleen M. Clauson Bash, PhD Vice President for Institutional Effectiveness

Kelly W. Everett, BA Vice President for Institutional Advancement

Jill Rhea, PhD Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of Faculty

David D. Schaal, EdD Vice President for Student Life and Dean of Students

Jodi L. Seymour Executive Assistant to the President and Assistant Secretary to the Board of Trustees

David Siddall, JD, LLM Vice President for Business and Finance

academic attireThe caps and gowns worn during formal academic ceremonies in American colleges today are the direct descendants of the everyday costumes worn in the universities of medieval England. Each school had its peculiar dress so that an Oxford student could be distinguished from a Cambridge student, or a divinity student from a layperson.

Because of the tremendous growth of American colleges and the attendant confusion that would result if each were to adopt distinct attire, the Intercollegiate Bureau of Academic Costume was organized. The bureau has established a uniform code that most institutions of higher education, including Graceland, have adopted.

The distinctions of the code are simple. The bachelor’s gown has a long, pointed sleeve; the master’s gown has a long, closed sleeve extending well below the knee with the arm coming through a slit near the elbow; the doctor’s gown has velvet panels down the front and voluminous, bell-shaped sleeves on which there are three velvet bars. The velvet is usually black but may reflect the color of the discipline.

The hood is the most important and distinctive feature of the attire. The inside of the hood is lined with silk in the official academic color or colors of the institution conferring the degree. The outside of the hood demonstrates the official color of the broad academic area in which the degree is earned. The lining is exposed when the hood is worn.

International sashes are optionally worn to represent nationality and/or study abroad experiences.

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