Jaelyn Grant
Reporter
Emma Caroline Brown
Editor-in-Chief
Mississippi University for Women students now have a new way to showcase their college experience at graduation through personalized stoles that recognize campus involvement beyond academics.
This is the first year the university has offered personalized stoles, marking a new tradition aimed at increasing student engagement and pride. Students involved in social clubs, fraternities, sororities, societies and other campus organizations were given the option to order a stole representing their involvement.
The initiative is led by Student Life in collaboration with Student Government Association President Ethan Wilkins, who worked to introduce more personalized graduation stoles for students and said he believes that showing campus involvement speaks more to a student’s time spent at The W.
“College is so much more than academics,” Wilkins said. “It’s about what you’re involved in, who you interact with and the experiences that shape you.”
Students during the 2025 graduation commencement.
Photo courtesy of University Relations
Graduating seniors received a Google Form where they could list the organizations they are part of and choose whether to personalize their stole with their name.
Each stole will feature embroidered logos, allowing students to represent their organizations in a way that is both meaningful and visually consistent for commencement.
Sasha Burdine, a graduating senior, is involved in seven on-campus organizations, including being the president of the National Pan-Hellenic Council and secretary of the Mam’selle social club. Burdine says the new graduation stoles are a fantastic idea to further recognize students’ efforts and involvement in campus organizations.
“They're a wonderful way to visually recognize the hard work and dedication students put into their campus involvement throughout their academic journey,” Burdine said. “It's a great tradition that will surely be cherished.”
The idea for the stoles came from student feedback and conversations among campus leaders about expanding representation at graduation. In the past, students were limited to wearing cords that recognized academic achievements, such as honors distinctions or participation in specific programs.
In addition to recognition, the stoles highlight the value of involvement in campus organizations. Participation in these groups helps students develop important skills such as communication, teamwork and leadership, which are essential both during college and after graduation.
Matthew Miles, the dean of students, believes the experiences a student has in college reach outside the classroom, where students build new connections, find belonging and create memories. He also says that on-campus involvement helps students while also carrying on The W’s traditions.
“Similarly to academic stoles, which tell a story of the academic rigor that is accomplished, the involvement stoles create an opportunity for students to share their experiences that developed lasting bonds, shaped their identity, strengthened their confidence, and built upon the lasting legacy of the Long Blue Line,” Miles said.
The stoles also give students a sense of pride as they walk across the stage. By wearing symbols of their involvement, students can share their accomplishments with family and friends while celebrating the time and effort they invested during their college years.
Beyond graduation, the stoles are expected to serve as lasting keepsakes. Students will be able to keep them as a reminder of their experiences and may even wear them at future campus events, such as homecoming, to reflect on their time at the university.
As the first group of students prepares to wear the stoles at commencement, organizers hope the tradition will continue and grow in the coming years. The goal is to create a lasting way for students to celebrate their involvement and feel more connected to their college experience.
“I’m excited to see students showcase what they’ve done,” Wilkins said. “It’s about creating pride and recognizing the impact students have on the campus community.”