• Ornamentation in a commencement ceremony refers to the authorized adornments worn over academic regalia (cap and gown) to signify specific academic achievements, honors, or affiliations. These items could include cords, stoles, pins, and medallions.
  • Ornamentation representing honorary societies, cultural or national identity, student clubs and organizations, professional organizations, or items distributed at official Penn State Brandywine events may be worn during the commencement ceremony.
  • Campus departments, programs, or student organizations may develop a standard ornament (i.e. pin, tassel, stole) that graduates may wear during the commencement ceremony. A standard ornament offered by a campus department, program, or student organization, must be approved by the Director of Student Affairs no later than April 1.
  • All ornamentation must be well-crafted, tastefully presented, and consistent with the values and expectations of Penn State University.

Penn State Academic Honor Cords

  • Undergraduate students graduating Summa Cum Laude will receive a blue and white cord; those graduating Magna Cum Laude will receive a blue cord; and those graduating Cum Laude will receive a white cord.
  • Students will receive email notification from the Registrar’s Office on how to receive their honor cords. The levels were determined by a student’s cumulative GPA at the end of the previous semester.
  • Once degrees are conferred, students earning a different level of honors may contact the Registrar's Office to retroactively receive the corresponding honor cord.

Military Honor Cords

  • Undergraduate students who have honorably served, are serving, or are commissioned to serve in the U.S. military will be awarded an honor cord to wear at their commencement ceremony in recognition of their duty and sacrifice.
  • The red, white, and blue cords will be given to eligible graduating students, including associate degree recipients, in the following groups: active duty, reserve and National Guard service members; veterans; and graduates receiving a commission through Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) and official U.S. Armed Forces recruiting programs.

Graduates will receive an email from the Register detailing pickup instructions.