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Class of 2020 San José State University

Commencement Program

December 14, 2021, 8:30 a.m.

December 14, 2021, 4:00 p.m.

December 17, 2021, 12:00 p.m.

December 17, 2021, 7:30 p.m.

Provident Credit Union Event Center at SJSU

Processional

Announcement of the Commencement

National Anthem

Welcome

Vincent J. Del Casino Jr., Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs

Presiding

Mary A. Papazian, President

Congratulations from the SJSU Alumni Association

Commencement Address

Mary A. Papazian, President

Presentation of Candidates

Vincent J. Del Casino Jr., Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs

Conferring of Degrees

Mary A. Papazian, President

Alma Mater

“Hail, Spartans, Hail”

Recessional

Regalia

Commencement exercises like today’s ceremony date from the Middle Ages and the traditions of Europe’s first universities. Our graduates and members of the platform party are wearing regalia—robes, hoods and caps—that are likely adapted from the clothing of medieval priests or friars. Spot the differences in the gowns:

  • Presidential gown is adorned with four bars, representing the Office of the President.
  • Doctoral gown has velvet panels down the front and three velvet bars on each of the bell-shaped sleeves. The color of the velvet may indicate the academic discipline.
  • Master’s gown may be worn open and has long sleeves with slits above the elbow.
  • Bachelor’s gown has a closed front and long, pointed sleeves.

Draped over the shoulders, the hood evolved from a priest’s cowl and was often used to carry items—the first backpack, perhaps. The lining colors signify the college or university granting the degree. At San José State, the hood is gold, blue and white. The monk’s skullcap became the mortarboard cap or tam. Black is the accepted cap color in the United States, but many foreign universities have colorful headdresses.

Tassels vary in use and color. At SJSU, the color of tassels for bachelor’s degree candidates represent each college.

Business—Sapphire Blue

Education—Light Blue

Engineering—Orange

Health and Human Sciences—Olive Green

Humanities and the Arts—White

Science—Gold

Social Sciences—Cream

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The Ceremonial Mace

An ornamental staff or scepter, the mace is carried by officials as part of formal parliamentary or academic ceremonies. A gift from the Tower Foundation of SJSU, the university’s ceremonial mace was designed and created by Art and Art History Lecturer Yvonne Escalante, ’13 MFA Spatial Arts (right photo). She found inspiration for the design in both SJSU history and the paths students take to reach graduation.

Hail, Spartans, Hail!

Hail, Spartans, Hail!—Hail, gold, blue and white!
We pledge our hearts and hands to keep thy colors ever bright.
Forward we go! We will not fail!
Sing to our Alma Mater,
Hail! Hail! Hail!
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