I am being hooded on May 13, 2017 at Commencement ceremonies at Texas Woman’s University

The Finish Line. On May 13, I stood at the finish line of a journey begun seven years ago in 2010. By the simple decree of the alphabet, I led the group of seven doctorates receiving their degrees that morning. While the brass band played the familiar processional of Pomp and Circumstance, I followed the faculty in a ceremonial procession full of emblems and ritual. I wore the symbols of my degree: a full black gown with gold-trimmed velvet strips on the bell-shaped sleeves, a six-sided tam on my head, and a silk lined velvet hood. My regalia. Such a regal sounding word.

Today’s graduation regalia comes to us from the cold, drafty medieval halls of Cambridge and Oxford. The scholars of these institutions had to wear long gowns and hoods to stay warm. The caps, a symbol of freedom, are taken from the Roman times when only freed slaves could wear caps. The long gowns, symbols of democracy, covered up any clothing that represented status and wealth.

The regalia is a symbol of achievement. Being hooded is a ritual of recognition. Not unlike coming of age. A rite of passage. The dean of the graduate school stood before me, holding me in the grip of her smiling eyes. Behind me, my college dean placed the hood over my head and draped it down the back of my gown.

Dr. Hansen-Thomas, Dean of Graduate School on the left waits while I turn to hug Dr. Whitworth.

By that time in the commencement ceremony, the audience had already applauded countless other black-robed undergraduates and master graduates. By that time, children could no longer sit still and their parents were running out of snacks and coloring sheets. The audience had clapped until there was no more clap left in their hands.

Dr. Jerry Whitworth, Interim Dean of the College of Professional Education receives my embrace. He helped me through the difficult task of writing a dissertation.

But this moment in time was mine. The impossible became possible.  A dream birthed a life-time ago fulfilled. I wished my daddy could have seen me.  With tears streaming, I turned and hugged my major professor. The Chancellor, in full regalia, shook my hand, then I walked off the stage to commence the next chapter of my life.