When did this trend start??

Elvish, BSN, DNP, RN, NP · May 11, 2015

When I got my BSN in 2001, lots of people decorated their mortarboards for the big ceremony where ALL the graduates from all disciplines (bachelors, masters, doctorate) filed into one portion of the stadium and family/friends sat in the rest. It's a big stadium, holds over 60k people. People wanted their loved ones to be able to see them. I carried a Mexican flag with me so my Mexican boyfriend (who is now my Mexican husband) would see me. My Canadian roommate had a big red maple leaf on her mortarboard.

I guess I'm one of those perpetual kids that doesn't really have a problem with people celebrating a graduation they've (hopefully) worked hard for.

mmc51264, BSN, MSN, RN · May 11, 2015

I guess if it is tasteful... I did not however, see one masters mortarboard decorated. hmm. Also, what is up with wearing them like they are a beanie?? They are supposed lay flat on your head. I guess I am just an old fuddy-duddy that follows tradition LOL

allnurses Guide · May 12, 2015

Not sure what is unprofessional about a pining ceremony? I still wear mine to work every day and I got mine in 1983!

Yeah, I didn't either and I was the student rep to the teachers/head honcho. So I researched all the stuff she told us and she was not correct.

Of course I made my case at the last meeting I attended with them. You could see the smoke coming from the ears of the head honcho.

:)

katie115 · May 13, 2015

Wow, what is with some of your replies? I'm not going to decorate anything on my mortar board, but if it's not a big deal, why are we complaining? Who cares!

If you're hyper-focused on someone's mortar board, I think you need to re-focus into something that actually matters.

mmc51264, BSN, MSN, RN · May 18, 2015

I made the observation and was looking into how it started. I was just annoyed with the inappropriate phrases and the Ethel Merman hat. Not hyper focused-i had just walked and it was in my face. Literally-the pink flowers glued to the mortarboard.

No Stars In My Eyes · May 18, 2015

Waiting to see the "Carmen Miranda" mortarboard with a cornucopia of fruit.....

heartnursing · May 19, 2015

WOW I cant even believe what I am reading..people actually do this?? and wear boas? They sure know how to make a graduation ceremony a joke. Keep it traditional and stop making yourselves look like a joke because really that is what it looks like, not to mention how unprofessional. Just because you can does not mean you should.

WookieeRN, BSN, MSN, RN · May 19, 2015

I just went to my brother's graduation at Clemson last week, and there were a few. One girl had glued giant pink flowers all over hers that you could see all the way up in the nosebleed section, haha. I don't mind it. You do you, I'll do me. I decorated mine when I graduated high school in 2006, as did many of my classmates.

Lame · May 19, 2015

Lol I just decorated mine tonight... Whoops ðŸ™ˆ

calivianya, BSN, RN · May 20, 2015

Everyone in my class decorated theirs... I didn't know it was something people didn't do. One of my instructors mentioned it in class one day, as in, "So, what do you all plan to decorate your caps with?"

I also learned that it's called a mortar board tonight. The things I don't know amaze me sometimes.

Adele_Michal7, ASN, RN · May 20, 2015

I've never heard of it... We were not allowed to make any modifications at graduation

Whispera, MSN, RN · May 20, 2015

When did this trend start? When my husband graduated from Notre Dame in 1972, many decorated their mortar boards. I remember one that said "hi Mom!". Everyone also threw their caps in the air at the end of the ceremony. The ceremony as well as the marching-in were quite dignified. The play with the caps was a joyful celebration. I loved it.