Commencement History and Traditions
Foundation
The University mission evolved from the educational traditions of its sponsors, the Sisters of Mercy and the Society of Jesus. These Catholic traditions emphasize concern for the dignity of the person and for the common good of the world community. The Society of Jesus (Jesuits) founded the University of Detroit in 1877. The Sisters of Mercy, Province of Detroit, founded Mercy College of Detroit in 1941. Together, these religious congregations created a partnership in higher education to establish University of Detroit Mercy in 1990. Each religious congregation brings its spirit to the mission of the University. This spirit includes commitment to quality education, the service of faith, and promotion of justice and compassionate service to persons in need.
Vision
University of Detroit Mercy will be recognized as a premier private university in the Great Lakes region, distinguished by graduates who lead and serve in their communities.
Detroit Mercy Crest
Detroit Mercy's crest includes design elements representing both the Jesuit and Mercy traditions. The left side of the crest portrays two wolves at a pot, symbolizing the generosity of the Loyola family (Ignatius Loyola was the founder of the Society of Jesus). After all the family and the workers were fed, even the wild animals had the pot to lick. The motto of the Jesuits, "Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam" (For the Greater Glory of God), is located above the wolves and the pot. The date 1877 refers to the founding of the University of Detroit by the Jesuits.
On the right side of the crest is a silver cross, which is the symbol of the Religious Sisters of Mercy, who founded Mercy College of Detroit in 1941. The three canettes are taken from the coat of arms of the Archdiocese of Detroit, symbolizing the Archdiocese and the city. The open book is the traditional symbol for a college. Upon the open pages is inscribed Mercy College's motto: "Maria, Sedes Sapientiae" (Mary, Seat of Wisdom).
"University of Detroit Mercy" is placed in a circle and surrounding the visual elements.
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Academic Procession & Mace
The order of the Academic Procession is governed by academic protocol. College and School order of march is determined by their founding. Leading the Procession is the grand marshal. The grand marshal is the master/mistress of ceremonies and mace-bearer.The mace is ceremonial and dates back to the 16th-Century England, where it was used as a formidable weapon to protect high-ranking civil, education and religious officials and royalty. Today the mace has become a symbol of authority and is carried by a distinguished member of the academic community.
Attached to the top of the mace is a bronze University crest. Circumscribed around the consolidated institutions' crests is the wording, "University of Detroit Mercy".
The left side of the crest portrays two wolves at a pot, symbolizing the generosity of the Loyola family (Ignatius Loyola was the founder of the Society of Jesus). After all the family and the workers were fed, even the wild animals had the pot to lick. The motto of the Jesuits, "Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam" (For the Greater Glory of God), is located above the wolves and the pot. The date 1877 refers to the founding of the University of Detroit by the Jesuits.
On the right side of the crest is a silver cross, which is the symbol of the Religious Sisters of Mercy, who founded Mercy College of Detroit in 1941. The three canettes are taken from the coat of arms of the Archdiocese of Detroit, symbolizing the Archdiocese and the city. The open book is the traditional symbol for a college. Upon the open pages is inscribed Mercy College's motto: "Maria, Sedes Sapientiae" (Mary, Seat of Wisdom).
The shaft of the mace is made of mahogany with brass accents.
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Gowns, Hoods, and Caps
Gowns
Academic gowns descend from the closed cloak of the clergy who taught at early medieval universities. In 1895, the Intercollegiate Code of Academic Costume specified three types of gowns. Each gown was decorated with fluted fabric in the front and pleated fabric near the shoulders. Most gowns used today are based on the gown designs of Oxford and Cambridge Universities.
Each graduate wears a gown appropriate to the degree granted. The bachelor's gown is closed at the throat and has long, pointed sleeves. The master's gown has oblong sleeves and is open at the wrist. The doctor's gown has velvet bars and bell-shaped sleeves. The color velvet on the gown indicates the type of doctoral degree earned.
Hoods
Each degree, Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctor's, is represented by a distinct shape or form. The Bachelor's hood is the smallest of the three. Detroit Mercy's Bachelor hood is white, flat all the way around with the point down the back, and the University's seal on the front chest. The Master's hood is three and a half feet long with velvet edging representing the degree earned and the University's colors on the inside of the hood. The Doctor's hood is four feet long with wider velvet edging representing the degree earned and the University's colors on the inside of the hood.
The University of Detroit Mercy's colors are red, white, and blue. The color of the velvet trimmings indicate the academic area in which the degree was received. Those colors are listed below.
Caps
Academic caps have varied widely throughout history. The most popular style in the United States is the black square mortarboard. Caps have colored tassels fastened to the top center point of the mortarboard. The color of the tassel represents the color of the degree earned, listed below. Although not an official rule, many institutions have adopted the practice of shifting the tassel from the right side to the left as the degrees are awarded.
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Regalia Colors for Degree Majors
Regalia Colors Bachelor Degree Majors
Tassel Color
Accounting Drab Addiction Studies Golden Yellow Architectural Engineering Orange Architecture Blue-Violet Biochemistry Golden Yellow Biology Golden Yellow Business Administration Drab Chemistry White (BA), Golden Yellow (BS) Civil Engineering Orange Communication Studies White Computer Science Golden Yellow Criminal Justice Golden Yellow Cybersecurity Golden Yellow Developmental Psychology White Economics White Electrical Engineering Orange Engineering Orange English White Financial Economics White Health Services Administration Golden Yellow History White Industrial/Organizational Psychology White Liberal Studies White Mathematics Golden Yellow Mechanical Engineering Orange Nursing Apricot Nursing Degree Completion Apricot Philosophy White Political Science White Psychology White Religious Studies White Robotics and Mechatronic Systems Engineering Orange Social Work Citron Theatre White Graduate Degree Majors
Tassel/Hood Color
Addiction Counseling White Adult-Gerontology CNS Apricot Advanced General Nursing Apricot Applied Data Analytics Golden Yellow Architecture Blue-Violet Business Administration Drab Civil Engineering Orange Clinical Mental Health Counseling White Clinical Nurse Leader Apricot Community Development White Criminal Justice White Cybercrime Golden Yellow Cybersecurity Golden Yellow Economics Copper Electrical Engineering Orange Environmental Engineering Orange Ethical Leadership Golden Yellow Family Nurse Practitioner Apricot Financial Economics Copper Health Services Administration Golden Yellow Industrial/Organizational Psychology White Information Assurance Golden Yellow Intelligence Analysis Golden Yellow Liberal Studies White Mechanical Engineering Orange Nursing & Healthcare Leadership Apricot Physician Assistant Golden Yellow Product Development Golden Yellow Religious Studies White School Counseling White School Psychology White Software Engineering Golden Yellow Software Management Golden Yellow Technical Management Golden Yellow Vehicle Cyber Engineering Golden Yellow Specialist Degree Major
Tassel/Hood Color
School Psychology White Doctoral Degree Majors
Tassel/Hood Color
Civil & Environmental Engineering Blue Clinical Psychology Blue Electrical & Computer Engineering Blue Mechanical Engineering Blue Nurse Anesthesia Apricot Nursing Practice Apricot -
Additional Approved Regalia
Academic Honors Recognized by Each College/School and other approved items that may be worn with Cap & Gown at Commencement School of Architecture & Community Development Alpha Rho Chi Red & Blue cord or medallion on blue ribbon College of Business Administration Alpha Iota Delta Green & Gold cord Beta Alpha Psi Red & Black cord Beta Gamma Sigma Blue & Gold cord Global Jesuit Business Student Association Red & Blue cord School of Dentistry Sigma Phi Alpha (Dental Hygiene) White Stole with Purple braided edge Omicron Kappa Upsilon (DDS) Tri-colored ribbon with Gold emblem College of Engineering and Science Alpha Epsilon Delta Red/purple cord Chi Epsilon Purple/white cord with medallion Eta Kappa Nu Gold cord with color tassels Pi Mu Epsilon Lilac, Gold & Black cord Pi Tau Sigma Blue & Red cord Tau Beta Pi Orange & white cords Chemistry Club/department Blue and Gold chord/medal Engineering students passing FE Exam Red and white cord with FE medal School of Law Black Law Student’s Association Black, Green, Red, & Yellow stole College of Health Professions & McAuley School of Nursing Sigma Theta Tau Lavender & White cord Pi Alpha Dark Blue/Green cord Upsilon Phi Delta Blue & Red cord College of Liberal Arts and Education Kappa Delta Pi Purple & Green cord Pi Sigma Alpha Pins and Red, White & Blue cord Phi Alpha Delta Purple & Gold cord Phi Alpha Honor Society Gold cord Phi Alpha Theta History Honor Society Silver & Red cord Psi Chi Psychology Honor Society Navy & Light Blue cord University-Wide Academic Honors Alpha Sigma Nu Pins and medallions for officers University Honors Program Gold stole Delta Epsilon Iota Blue & Gold cord Kappa Gamma Pi Brown & Off-White cord Emerging Leaders Pin or Medallion National Society of Leadership and Success Black & Platinum cord Other University Approved Cords and Stoles Alpha Kappa Alpha Sority, Inc. Pink & Green stole Athletes on Roster at time of Graduation Red, White & Blue cord Atlantic Sun Academic Honors Graphite & Gold cord Chi Eta Phi Sorority, Inc. Green stole with Yellow lettering Children’s Oral Health Club Lilac & White cord Commuter Student Association White stole with Black logo Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Crimson & Cream stole Earthly Smiles Silver & Navy cord Entrepreneurship Association Royal blue & Green cord FirstGen Network Navy stole, Gold piping with seal Gamma Phi Beta Pink & White stole H.O.P.E. for a Cure UDM Maroon, Royal & White cord Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Incorporated Maroon & White stole Kappa Beta Gamma White stole with Gold lettering Lambda Theta Phi (Knights of No Mercy) White stole with Brown lettering Latinx Student Union Red & colorful stripe design stole w/logo Multicultural Graduate Black stole with multi-colored logo design Muslim Student Association Dark Green stole with White lettering Nursing Student Association Purple, Teal and White cord w/logo Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. Maroon Stole with Gold lettering Sigma Gamma Rho Society, Inc. Xi Upsilon Chapter Royal Blue stole with Gold lettering Sigma Pi Fraternity White & Purple stole Sigma, Sigma, Sigma Purple & White stole Society of Women Engineers Purple stole with SWE White lettering Student Social Work Association Gold cord Student Alumni Leadership Council Red & White cord with org pin Student Arts Club Orange & White cords Student Government Association Red, White & Blue cord (ASGA knotted) Student Government Association Officers Red, White & Blue stole with officer position Trio Student Support Services Red, White & Black cord Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. Royal stole & White lettering Veteran Student Organization/Veteran graduates Branch of the service stole (Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard)