Tired of the typical cap and gown graduation? College of Charleston is the farthest from that. With its white dresses, dinner jackets and the historic Cistern Yard, CofC’s commencement ceremony is one to see.
- No cap and gown here
As a tradition, the undergraduate women wear white dresses and men wear white
dinner jackets.
“It is an honor to be able to express an element of our individuality at
our own graduation, set in a beautiful and historic setting,” senior Caroline Kenny
said.
- Famous procession
Ever seen Dear John or The Patriot? CofC graduates walk into the Cistern Yard through the famous Randolph Hall filmed in Dear John and The Patriot, one of the oldest continuously used classroom buildings in the United States.
- Roses are red
Throughout the commencement ceremony, the female graduates carry red roses while the male graduates wear a red rose boutonniere.
- Nature is our stadium
Graduation takes place in the magical Cistern Yard every spring. Who wouldn’t want to graduate with this backdrop?
“Unlike looking out into an auditorium or gymnasium, we look out to our family an friends sitting among rows of live oak trees draped in Spanish Moss,” said College of Charleston graduate Devon Turner.
- Greek traditions complete our circle of academic life, “Know Thyself”
Making their time at CofC go full circle, graduates recess through Porter’s Lodge where they started their college career at convocation.
- HUGE Diplomas
Among one of the largest in the country, according to the College of Charleston registrar’s website, CofC’s diplomas are 20 inches long by 16 inches wide. The diplomas are made of archival quality parchment paper…no sheepskin.
- Finally, Charleston is the No. 1 tourist destination in America
Who else gets to say they lived and graduated in America’s No. 1 tourist destination for not one, but four years in a row!?
CougarBuzz 