Graduate Academic Honors

Honor Cords, Stoles & Other Embellishments

EVMS graduates are permitted to wear up to two national honor society cords and/or one national honor society stole with their academic regalia, if they were identified, presented or provided by a program, were earned or awarded while at EVMS, and are approved for wear at the Commencement ceremony. The approved cord(s) may be worn with the graduate's academic regalia, with hood worn over the cord(s). The approved stole may be worn with the graduate's academic regalia, with stole worn over the hood.

No other embellishments to the academic regalia including cap, gown, tam or hood shall be permitted.

An individual, student organization or cohort may request an exemption due to extenuating circumstances. To request an exemption, please cmplete the Regalia Adornment Approval Request Form no later than Wednesday, April 26, 2023 for consideration. Approval from your academic Program Director is required prior to submitting the form.

Faculty Academic Honors

Honor Cords & Other Embellishments

EVMS faculty are permitted to wear up to two national honor society cords with their academic regalia, if they were identified, presented or provided by a program, were earned or awarded by EVMS, and if approved by the marshals for wear at the Commencement ceremony. The approved cord(s) may be worn with the faculty member's academic regalia, with hood worn over the cord(s). Faculty should bring their own approved honor society cord(s) to wear with their regalia. However, they are able to request these cords and can indicate so on their registration. The honor society cords will be issued at faculty check-in on the day of Commencement.

Fine Family Academy of Educators Stoles

Current EVMS faculty members in good standing with the Fine Family Academy of Educators are permitted to wear their approved academy stole with their academic regalia. The approved stole may be worn with faculty academic regalia, with stole worn over the hood.

Academic Honor Medallions

EVMS faculty members who hold academic honors (Chair, Distinguished Chair, Professorship and Distinguished Professorship) are permitted to wear the approved academic honors medallions in addition to other approved cords and stoles, with medallions worn over the hood.

No other embellishments to the academic regalia including cap, gown, tam or hood shall be permitted.

Platform Party Academic Honors

Non-EVMS members of the Platform Party participating in EVMS Commencement may wear up to two national honor society cords and/or up to one honor society stole with their academic regalia if they were earned or awarded at other institutions of higher education. Platform party members should bring their own cords/stole to wear with their academic regalia. Approved cords should be worn under the hood, while stoles should be worn over the hood.

All Participants

Military Honor Cords

EVMS recognizes all military graduates, faculty and platform party members (whether active duty, reserve, guard, veteran or retired) at Commencement by bestowing a military honor cord to be worn with academic regalia. Participants who meet the criteria should indicate so on their registration. The military cord will be issued with academic regalia and may be worn under the hood and in addition to other honor society cords and/or stoles.


Find more details about this year's Commencement. For questions or additional information, please contact EVMS Special Events.