The Meaning and Prestige of Purple and White Graduation Cords

The Significance of Purple and White Graduation Cords

Graduation day is one of the most important milestones in a student's academic career. After years of hard work and dedication, it's time to walk across that stage and receive your diploma. As you look out into the sea of caps and gowns, you'll notice many students adorned with cords, sashes, and stoles in a multitude of colors. Each item represents different academic achievements and honors. Two of the most popular colors seen at graduations are purple and white. These colors hold special meaning and distinguish top students at commencement ceremonies.

The Meaning Behind Purple Graduation Cords

Purple graduation cords indicate that a student has achieved Latin honors. This special distinction is given to students who have maintained a high grade point average (GPA) throughout their college careers. The three tiers of Latin honors include:

• Cum laude: Graduating with praise, typically a 3.5 to 3.74 GPA
• Magna cum laude: Graduating with great praise, usually a 3.75 to 3.89 GPA
• Summa cum laude: Graduating with highest praise, generally a 3.9 GPA or higher

Schools have different GPA cutoffs for each tier of honors. The true academic elites who earn summa cum laude recognition get to wear distinctive purple cords at graduation. This regal color represents the royal achievement of maintaining an exceptionally high GPA throughout college.

The Prestige of White Graduation Cords

White graduation cords indicate honor society membership and academic excellence. To earn the right to wear white cords, students must meet national criteria that demonstrates their superior scholarship. There are many different honor societies that use white cords, with the most common being:

• Phi Beta Kappa: One of the oldest and most prestigious honor societies for the liberal arts and sciences
• Phi Kappa Phi: Recognizes academic excellence across all disciplines
• Golden Key: International honor society that accepts top-performing students across all academic fields
• National Society of Collegiate Scholars: Recognizes high-achieving freshman and sophomore students

Students invited to join these elite societies exemplify dedication to academic excellence and high achievement in their studies. White cords mark membership in these prestigious groups and demonstrate a commitment to scholarship, leadership, and service.

Custom Cord Colors and Meanings

In addition to the traditional purple and white cords, many graduates also wear cords in their school colors. Custom cord colors represent pride in the student's alma mater. Certain colleges and universities have unique meanings attached to commencement cord colors:

• Royal blue and white cords at Duke University signify graduation with Latin honors
• Cardinal red and gold cords at the University of Louisville denote summa and magna cum laude honors
• Hunter green cords at the University of Vermont are worn by members of the Catamount Honor Society

Some schools use cords to recognize other academic achievements like departmental honors, specialized honors programs, and honor societies beyond Phi Beta Kappa and Golden Key. Earning the right to wear custom school colors is a meaningful accomplishment.

Honoring Your Achievements

Purple and white graduation cords carry deep significance, representing the effort and late nights that went into achieving top academic success. These cords communicate to peers, family, professors, and future employers that you are a dedicated scholar devoted to your studies. Whether you graduate summa, magna, or cum laude, those cords are a physical symbol of your hard work and intelligence. As you cross the commencement stage, know that you have truly earned the right to wear those distinguished colors.

FAQs

What do purple graduation cords mean?

Purple graduation cords indicate that a student is graduating with Latin honors and high academic distinction like cum laude, magna cum laude or summa cum laude. The purple color represents royalty and academic achievement.

What GPA do you need to wear purple graduation cords?

The specific GPA required for Latin honors and purple cords varies by school, but usually cum laude is around 3.5, magna cum laude is 3.75+, and summa cum laude for the highest honor students is 3.9+.

What does it mean to wear white graduation cords?

White graduation cords signify that a student is a member of an academic honors society like Phi Beta Kappa or Golden Key. The white color shows the graduate has demonstrated superior scholarship.

Do all colleges use the same color graduation cords?

No, while purple and white are common cord colors, many colleges have custom colors and meanings. Students should check with their individual school to understand the significance of each graduation cord color.

What other graduation cords are there?

Beyond purple and white, common cord colors include school colors to show school pride, red for Ph.D graduates, pink for nursing, and gold for special honors like valedictorian. There are many colors representing various academic achievements.