Traditions and KPU Regalia

University Mace

The mace was originally a weapon during the medieval period, and came to be associated with the prowess and strength of the knight. Today the mace is a symbol of the university's authority to award degrees and diplomas. It indicates the seriousness of Convocation as the university's most important academic ceremony, and is a confirmation of the university's integrity as an academic institution. The mace is carried by a mace-bearer, who leads the processional of faculty and students into and out from the venue where Convocation is held. The mace is usually between four feet and six feet in length and will incorporate the history and tradition that surround the vision for the university. An academic mace symbolizes the authority vested in the Chancellor to confer university credentials. This is why the mace is an integral part of Convocation. Maces are often commissioned to commemorate a milestone anniversary or presidential inauguration. Typically an artist is selected for the honour to develop a highly symbolic design that incorporates the university's traditions.

Profile of the Artist

KPU's mace was carved by Kwantlen First Nation artist Drew Atkins. Atkins was born in Victoria, B.C. He started carving long before he ever touched a knife to wood. As a young boy he spent many afternoons watching some of the early Masters carve at the Royal History Museum's Totem Pole Park in Victoria, planting a seed that would take root much later in life. Atkins apprenticed under renowned Master Carver Xwa-lack-tun (Rick Harry) for eight years working on many projects together. Atkins has worked for the Langley School District as an Indigenous support worker and as an instructor in carving at Brookswood Secondary. Atkins and his wife Phyllis, a renowned painter and jeweller, established K'wy'i'ye Spring Salmon Studio at the Kwantlen First Nation. Atkins' work may also be seen in Fort Langley's Spirit Square where his large cedar panel carvings connect the Spirit Square with the National Historic Site and Museum.

KPU Regalia

Standard for Academic Dress

At Kwantlen Polytechnic University, all graduates wear a black gown of Oxford shape and a black cap, or mortar board. All students wear a black tassel on their mortar board, and the tassel hangs to the left of the cap. Graduates of our bachelor's degree programs wear hoods in the Aberdeen style, made of black pilgrim cloth and bordered with a one-half inch border. The border of each hood is a specific colour that identifies a particular area of study.

Honorary Degrees: KPU Colours

All Honorary degree recipients wear a black gown of an Oxford shape and a black cap, or mortar board with a black tassel with a custom removable cover featuring the circle Salmon and Wolf Art in Charcoal and Grey.  Honorary graduates are provided a custom hood by KPU featuring the circle Salmon and Wolf Art in Charcoal and Grey.

Graduate Diplomas and Certificates: KPU Hood Colours

Post-Baccalaureate Diplomas and Certificates: KPU Stole Colours

Bachelor's Degrees: KPU Hood Colours

Associate Degrees, Diplomas, Certificates and Citations: KPU Stole Colours

Regalia Examples

	Honorary Degree Recipients All Honorary degree recipients wear an eight-sided tam of navy blue velvet with gold bullion cord tassels. The gown is of Oxford shape using maroon pilgrim cloth for the body and sleeves, with three navy blue velvet chevrons and silver velvet panels. Hoods for honorary graduates are of intercollegiate style, maroon in colour to match the gowns, with a sugarbeet satin lining, a silver satin chevron and trim and grey piping.
Board Chair Board Member	Board of Governors The Board Chair wears a maroon gown made of pilgrim cloth with bell sleeves, black velvet panels down the front, and gold piping. Members of the Board of Governors wear a black gown of Oxford shape with a two-colour satin vee stole in maroon and silver metallic.
PhD hood (code 11-1) Bachelor's hood (code 7-01) Non-degree Stole	Faculty & Other Platform Party Members Regalia provided to faculty and/or platform party members are of the University of Manitoba standard, as provided by our Canadian regalia provider, Gaspard & Sons located in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Faculty and platform party members who do not have a degree may wear Kwantlen's designated satin stole in maroon.
Black Mortar Board and Tassel Student - Drab Satin Stole.	Students wear a black mortar board and tassel with the tassel hanging to the wearer's left.