2026 Commencement Program

In the 12th and 13th centuries, when universities were governed by the church, students wore hooded cloaks for warmth in unheated buildings. Modern academic regalia, valued today more for symbolism than practicality, originated at Oxford and Cambridge universities in the 1300s and has been used in the United States since colonial times.

The mortarboard cap does not represent a specific degree or school, although the short gold tassel is reserved for doctoral degree holders. The tassel may be worn on either side of the cap.

Academic gowns are typically black for all baccalaureate and higher degrees. Bachelor’s and master’s gowns are similar in style, while doctoral gowns feature velvet front panels and velvet bars on the bell-shaped sleeves.

The hood distinguishes degrees, academic disciplines and institutions through its length and colors. Bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral hoods measure 3 feet, 3½ feet and 4 feet long, respectively, with velvet trim widths of 2, 3 and 5 inches. The velvet color represents the academic field, while the satin lining reflects the institution’s school colors — for example, blue and gold for the University of California and maroon and gold for the University of Southern California. Doctoral hoods also include narrow satin piping.

Velvet “field” colors, which symbolize academic areas of study, are as follows:

• Arts, Letters and Humanities: White
• Business Administration: Drab
• Economics: Copper
• Education: Light Blue
• Engineering: Orange
• Fine Arts and Architecture: Brown
• Journalism: Crimson
• Law: Purple
• Library Science: Lemon
• Music: Pink
• Nursing: Apricot
• Philosophy: Dark Blue
• Physical Education: Sage Green
• Science: Golden Yellow
• Speech: Silver Gray
• Theology: Scarlet

• Diablo Valley College Horticulture Department - Stage Greenery
• Diablo Valley College Music Department - DVC Jazz Ensemble, Professor Jeffrey Brown, Conductor
• Diablo Valley College Maintenance & Operations
• Diablo Valley College Print Shop
• Diablo Valley College Foundation Office
• Beyond the Words, Inc. - Interpreting Services
• Congratulei - Fresh Flowers and Leis
• Grad Images - Photography
• Contra Costa Community College District Governing Board
  • Diana Honig - President
  • Fernando Sandoval – Vice President
  • John E. Márquez - Secretary
  • Rebecca Barrett – Trustee
  • Andy Li - Trustee
  • Sophie Khouri - Student Trustee
• Chancellor, Contra Costa Community College District, Mojdeh Mehdizadeh
• President, Diablo Valley College, Dr. Monica Chahal
• Diablo Valley College Community
• Diablo Valley College Commencement Steering Committee