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BANNER
Among the many traditions
associated with Commencement, the presentation of the ceremonial
University and College banners symbolizes the accomplishments of the
graduates whom we honor on this occasion and the University’s
commitment to their success. Each banner bears a unique seal placed on
a 4 x 6-foot heraldic field, or saltire, and each incorporates symbols and colors that define it:
University Banner
Colors: Orange, White and Blue
Symbols: Open Book – the learning
process; the Sun, Mountains and River – the city of El Paso; Star – The
Lone Star of Texas; Laurel Branch – high academic achievement; Oak
Branch—solidity and permanence
Colleges
Business Administration:
Colors: Brown - Business and Accounting
Copper - Economics
Symbols: Globe – international
commerce; Graph – economic statistics; Computer Disk and Mouse –
computer applications; e.com – information communication
Education:
Color: Light Blue
Symbols: Lamp – lamp of learning;
Book – learning and literacy; Sigma – Greek symbol for
“all-encompassing”; Book, Ruler and Compass – the tools of learning
Engineering:
Color: Dark Orange
Symbols: Castle Structure – civil
engineering; Gear – mechanical engineering; Bolt of Lightning –
electrical engineering; Hammer and Assaying Scale – metallurgical and
mining engineering; Human Form – industrial engineering; Computer Card
and Binary Numbers – computer science
Health Sciences and School of Nursing:
Colors: Apricot – Nursing
Green - Healing Arts
Symbols: Dark Red Field – blood of
life; White Shield and Red Cross – humanitarian aid; Human Figure –
physical care and therapy; Beaker, Needle and Test Tube – laboratory
research and application
Liberal Arts:
Color: White - Humanities, Arts and Letters
Symbols: Alpha/Omega – first and
last letters of Greek alphabet symbolizing the scope of studies in
Liberal Arts; Torch – knowledge; Open Book – the learning process and
literacy
Color Stripes denote disciplines
within liberal arts: Brown for Fine Arts, Crimson for Journalism, Pink
for Music, Dark Blue for Philosophy, Violet for Psychology, Scarlet for
Religion, Citron for Social Work and Silver Gray for Speech and Drama
Science:
Color: Golden Yellow
Symbols: Clouds/Sky – the
atmosphere surrounding the earth; Globe – earth and geography; Methane
Atom – chemistry, biology and physics; Five Mathematical Symbols—basic
and higher math concepts; Tree – the history of science; and the
Mountains, Earth and Strata – geology
University College:
Colors: University colors of
Orange, White and Blue and other colors representing the different
academic disciplines from which students draw the concentrations that
comprise their degree.
Symbols: Bhutanese towers -
represents UTEP and the solid foundation of learning that is at the
very root of our institution; Torch - torch of learning that integrates
knowledge and creates wisdom; Book - book of knowledge that must always
remain open for life-long learning to continue; and Laurael Branches -
high academic achievement.
Graduate School:
Colors: University colors of Orange, White and Blue and other colors from academic areas offering graduate study
Symbols: Rainbow – the spectrum of
disciplines forming the Graduate School; Star – the Lone Star of Texas
and the skyward direction of the flames; Pan of Flames – group
knowledge; and Laurel Branches – high academic achievement
MACE
The mace, originally a weapon of
combat, has been associated with civil and academic ceremonies from at
least the 14th century, and symbolizes the authority and dignity of
office.
The University Mace is made of
materials indigenous to this region. The head of the Mace, which is
joined to the shaft by the University Seal, consists of a group of
flanges which are made of silver and gold-plated copper; within these
is mounted a rose quartz stone. The design resembles an abstract flower
bud, with the rose quartz about to break through the flanges that
surround it. This symbolizes the attainment of knowledge, the student’s
growth from novice to scholar.
GOWNS, CAPS AND HOODS
The tradition of the gown, cap and
hood worn at UTEP events dates back to universities in the Middle Ages,
when such garments had very practical applications. The gown and hood
kept the chill away as students and teachers labored in halls of
learning that were often damp and drafty.
Originally, the mortar board, or
flat square cap, was a hat which, when removed, provided its wearer
with a flat writing surface. Writing instruments and paper were kept in
the long sleeves of the gown.
Until modern times, caps and gowns
were made of black fabric to illustrate the gravity of learning.
Although today’s gowns, caps and tassels are available in a variety of
colors, the symbolism of color remains. For example, students who
graduate from UTEP wear a tassel whose color represents the college
from which they receive their degrees.
The hood drapes over the shoulders
and is worn by those who have earned a master’s or doctoral degree. It
consists of a black shell, lined in satin, and bears the color of the
institution that conferred the degree. The hoods worn by UTEP graduates
have an orange lining crossed with a white chevron. The velvet on the
border bears the color of the field of learning in which the degree was
earned. |