On Dec. 15, 2012, the Criminology and Criminal Justice Department hosted its inaugural hooding ceremony for the graduates of the CRCJ Cohort Master’s Program. The event was held at the University Club in E. E. Davis Hall prior to the commencement ceremony.
In previous years, the professors were allowed to “hood” the students during the commencement ceremony. However, due to time restraints, the hooding was eliminated from the commencement activities this year. The CRCJ professors felt strongly about the importance of the hooding and created a separate hooding ceremony for CRCJ graduates.
The hood that forms part of today’s academic dress was originally a head covering for bad weather. Later it was dropped to the shoulders in the form of a small cape. Eventually, the hood became a separate piece of apparel bearing even more symbolism than the gown.
(By Nancy Holcomb, CRCJ)
