Graduation pin

{{Short description|Pin worn at graduation to denote membership in an honour society or academic programme}} {{Use dmy dates|date=May 2026}} {{Use American English|date=May 2026}}

[[File:Doctoral gown shows five-inch velvet panel down the front and three velvet bars on each sleeve, with university pins.jpg|thumb|right|150px|A doctoral gown worn at Syracuse University showing university pins on the front]] [[File:Phi Beta Kappa Key.JPG|thumb|right|100px|The Phi Beta Kappa key, one of the most recognised academic honor pins<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Phi Beta Kappa Key |url=https://www.rochester.edu/college/pbk/key.html |access-date=2026-05-12 |website=www.rochester.edu |language=en-US}}</ref>]]

A '''graduation pin''' is a small decorative pin badge worn on academic regalia during commencement ceremonies to denote membership in an honor society, academic achievement, or affiliation with a recognized organization.<ref>{{cite web |title=Caps, Gowns, and Attire |url=https://www.drake.edu/registrar/commencement/capsgownsandattire/ |publisher=Drake University |access-date=2026-05-12}}</ref> Pins are one of several forms of adornment worn alongside the cap and gown, together with honor cords, stoles, and honor medal.<ref>{{cite web |title=What to Wear |url=https://harrisburg.psu.edu/commencement/what-wear |publisher=Penn State Harrisburg |access-date=2026-05-12}}</ref> Northwestern University lists cords, stoles, and pins together as items awarded by schools and campus organizations and distributed to eligible students before commencement.<ref>{{cite web |title=Regalia |url=https://www.northwestern.edu/graduation/students/regalia.html |publisher=Northwestern University |access-date=2026-05-12}}</ref>

==Use at commencement== At Drake University, academic honor cords or pins may be worn at commencement if earned from a college or school recognized academic organization.<ref>{{cite web |title=Caps, Gowns, and Attire |url=https://www.drake.edu/registrar/commencement/capsgownsandattire/ |publisher=Drake University |access-date=2026-05-12}}</ref> Pacific Lutheran University permits students who have received honors pins, such as those from the Wang Center and Center for Diversity, Justice, and Sustainability, to wear them during commencement.<ref>{{cite web |title=Regalia |url=https://www.plu.edu/commencement/regalia/ |publisher=Pacific Lutheran University |access-date=2026-05-12}}</ref> Penn State Harrisburg notes that Psi Chi (Psychology) awards graduating members a pin and platinum and blue cord, and the Gary McDowell Institute awards graduating Student Fellows a pin bearing the letters GMI.<ref>{{cite web |title=What to Wear |url=https://harrisburg.psu.edu/commencement/what-wear |publisher=Penn State Harrisburg |access-date=2026-05-12}}</ref>

==Relationship to honor cords== Georgia Tech's commencement regalia policy lists pins among approved adornments that may be added to standard regalia to signify a student's membership or association with a recognized organization or academic program.<ref>{{cite web |title=Commencement Regalia Policy |url=https://www.policylibrary.gatech.edu/academic-affairs/commencement-regalia |publisher=Georgia Institute of Technology |access-date=2026-05-12}}</ref> Penn State Abington's commencement policy permits all ornamentation including pins, cords, ribbons, stoles, sashes, and medallions representing recognized honorary societies to be worn at commencement.<ref>{{cite web |title=What to Wear |url=https://www.abington.psu.edu/commencement/policy-regalia |publisher=Penn State Abington |access-date=2026-05-12}}</ref> The Phi Beta Kappa society awards graduating members a distinctive key worn from a blue and pink ribbon at the University of Richmond's commencement, bearing the Greek letters and the society's founding date of 1776 on the reverse.<ref>{{cite web |title=Distinctive Honors |url=https://commencement.richmond.edu/graduating-students/undergraduate/regalia/distinctive-honors.html |publisher=University of Richmond |access-date=2026-05-12}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=The Phi Beta Kappa Key |url=https://www.rochester.edu/college/pbk/key.html |publisher=University of Rochester |access-date=2026-05-12}}</ref>

== References ==

{{Reflist}} Category:Graduation Category:Academic dress Category:School terminology Category:Honor societies Category:Fraternity and sorority culture Category:Academic awards