The History of Commencement
Time honored traditions celebrated at commencement
By KYLAN MILLS
Staff Writer
Instagram Handle: @Kylanmills_
Tarleton State University
Commencement is a time of celebration
and recognition for the students here at
Tarleton State University. Tarleton also
has a way of celebrating its students at
commencement and these have become
traditions of the ceremony.
The first thing that can be seen at
commencement is the International
Flags displayed behind the stage. These
are placed among the stage to recognize
the students that come from all places
to attend the best kept secret in Texas.
There are approximately thirty counties
on display to support the students.
The next thing that can be noticed
once commencement starts is the
University Mace that stands next to Dr.
Hurley. The mace is a sign of authority
and dates back all the way to the middle
ages. The mace that is currently standing
at commencement was unveiled at Dr.
F. Dominic Dottavio, Tarleton’s 15th
President, inauguration. The mace is
made out of walnut and has bronze
accents of the Tarleton seal and bronze
bands that represent Tarleton’s past,
present and future.
One popular tradition, and special,
is the passing of the Purple Pigs. The
Purple Pigs are decorated and painted
by members of the TTS and TTP(Ten
Tarleton Peppers and Ten Tarleton
Sisters). The TTS and TTP are a secret
organization here on campus that
continue to keep the spirit of Tarleton.
They are passed onto the reigning
president as they walk across the stage.
The pigs are then displayed at the Barry
B. Thompson Student Center for future
students to view.
Another tradition that is very
common is the tassel worn by
graduating students. The tassel is worn
to commencement on the right side but
students then turn the tassel from left to
right at the ceremony. This movement
is symbolic because it is done at every
ceremony, and symbolizes the turning
2
page into their next journey.
One tradition that is significant
to Tarleton and its graduates is the
turning of the class rings. At the ring
ceremony, when students receive their
ring, they are asked to have the “T”
facing in until graduation. For the
graduating students, there is
then a time in the ceremony
to turn your ring around to
have the “T” facing out to
signify that the student
is a graduate.
The final traditional
moment of commencement
is the color song and fight Photos Courtesy
song of Tarleton. These are sung of
by all graduates and families of the Double R Flicks
graduates to end their time here at Tarleton
Tarleton, as a student. The moments graduation cap
are very special to all members apart hand tooled by
from commencement, but also to the Austin Dixon.
graduating students here at Tarleton.
As a student, these traditions are just
what makes becoming a student here
and being a part of its history so special.
Photos Courtesy of
Tarleton State
University Marketing
and Communications
Summer 2021 College
of Education and
COLFA graduates.