The Origins of Commencement Exercises and Academic Regalia

As Celebrated at Saipan International School

At Saipan International School, commencement is not simply a graduation—it is a formal, academic ceremony steeped in centuries of tradition. Its roots trace back to the medieval universities of Europe in the 12th and 13th centuries, where students completed rigorous programs of study and were formally granted the license to teach. This moment of "commencement" marked their official entry into the scholarly world.

The academic regalia worn during the ceremony—gowns, caps, and hoods—also originated in these early universities. Originally functional garments designed to keep scholars warm in unheated halls, these robes evolved into standardized academic dress, with specific colors and styles denoting fields of study and levels of academic achievement. These traditions were carried into American institutions such as Harvard, and today they remain an integral part of formal, academic ceremonies worldwide.

By upholding these customs, Saipan International School affirms its commitment to academic excellence and scholarly tradition. Our commencement ceremony reflects not only the hard work and achievement of our graduates, but also their place in a long and proud academic lineage. Through the formal rites of commencement and the wearing of academic regalia, we celebrate our students’ transformation from learners to lifelong scholars.