Graduation Tips
Bright, warm, and unmistakably symbolic of growth, maize is one of the most meaningful colors in academic regalia. Often worn by graduates in agriculture, natural resources, and life sciences, the maize stole is a vibrant tribute to the foundational role these fields play in sustaining the planet and feeding the world.
From environmental science to animal husbandry, horticulture to food production—students who don the maize stole are part of a long-standing tradition dedicated to stewardship, sustainability, and innovation in the natural world.
Among the many vibrant hues seen at commencement ceremonies, one color often flies under the radar: drab, also known as beige. But don't let its subtle tone fool you—this traditional color carries significant meaning and represents one of the most influential fields of study: Business.
From MBAs to marketing, accounting, finance, and entrepreneurship majors, students in business disciplines proudly wear drab stoles to signify their academic journey through one of the world’s most practical and impactful professions.
Read more: What Does a Drab (Beige) Graduation Stole Mean? The Tradition Behind Business Degrees
At graduations across the country, white stoles are proudly worn by students earning degrees in the arts and humanities—including majors such as English, history, literature, philosophy, and more. But have you ever wondered why white is the color that represents these fields of study?
The tradition of graduation stole colors is deeply rooted in academic regalia systems that date back to medieval Europe, and white has long held symbolic meaning—especially within education, creativity, and intellectual discourse.
Read more: Why White? The Tradition Behind Graduation Stoles for Arts & Humanities Majors
The best graduation speeches of all time focus on the importance of overcoming fear and striving despite failure. Because that’s what our lives are all about. Fear, failure, and the human spirit’s capacity to overcome both.
The Sash Company has a long history with graduations. We have been creating custom graduation sashes for 20 years and with that in mind, we scoured the internet to find the best graduation speeches about fear and failure, and we cherry-picked the best advice for graduates we could find.
Read more: Advice About Fear & Failure from the Best Graduation Speeches of All Time


















