Preparing for Graduation
Ceremony
Athens State University typically holds graduation ceremonies at the end of each semester. Separate ceremonies are conducted for each academic college at the end of the fall and spring semesters. One combined ceremony, including all colleges, is held at the end of the summer semester.
For those who aren’t able to attend, we will be streaming the event live. Links will be made available through the Athens State University website https://www.athens.edu/commencement/ and social media accounts.
Cap/Tassel, Gown, and Hood
Online purchases: colleges.herffjones.com/college/athensstate.
Undergraduate
- Cap – $7
- Tassel – $7
- Gown – $38
Masters
- Cap – $7
- Tassel – $7
- Gown – $47
- Hood– $44
Cap & Gown Ordering Deadline
- The deadline to order is Friday, October 23, 2026, at 10:59 PM CST.
- At 11:00 PM CST, the site will close for standard orders and reopen for late orders.
Late Orders with Rush Shipping(New)
- The website will reopen on October 24, 2026, for late orders with rush shipping.
- The final rush shipping deadline is Friday, November 13, 2026, at 10:59 CST.
- Rush Shipping Fee – $24.30
- Due to the production of the new custom regalia and the time required to build inventory, orders are projected to begin shipping at the end of October through the first week of November. If ahead of schedule, they will begin shipping sooner.
Students may also purchase these items from the Pillar & Paw Spirit Store, located on the second floor of the Sandridge Student Center from now until the day of graduation. They will also be available at Lindsay Lane Baptist Church on December 5th.
Tassels and Hoods
Tassel and hood colors by major are listed below.
College of Arts and Sciences (includes secondary certification)
- White – All Humanities and Social Science Majors (B.A., B.S., M.A.)
- Cream – Interdisciplinary Studies (B.S., M.A.)
- Brown – Fine Arts (B.S., MFA)
- Gold – All Science and Mathematics Majors (B.S., M.S.)
- Apricot – Nursing (BSN, MSN)
College of Business
- Drab – All Business Majors (B.S., M.S.)
College of Education
- Blue – All Education Majors earning a B.S.Ed. or M.Ed. (except PE)
- Green – All Physical Education Majors
Honor Medallions
Students who will graduate with honors (as defined below) may purchase their medallion at Pillar & Paw Spirit Store, located on the second floor Sandridge Student Center. They will also be available at Lindsay Lane Baptist Church on December 5th. The cost of the honor medallion is $20.00 plus tax.
- Summa Cum Laude: 3.90 to 4.0
- Magna Cum Laude: 3.70 to 3.89
- Cum Laude: 3.50 to 3.69
Academic Honors and Awards Policy
Photographs
The Grad Team is pleased to be your exclusive graduation photographer! We ask that you pre-register so that we have your most recent and preferred contact information. This allows us to provide you with a link to your images in the fastest possible manner following their ceremony. You also have the option to upload a selfie image to better ensure we identify your images correctly from the hundreds that will be taken on commencement day. Simply go to the link below, select the ceremony in which you will be participating and fill in the short questionnaire. Thank you, and congratulations on your wonderful achievement.