Hooding Instructions
Hooding is a very special occasion for you and the WSU College of Medicine, signifying the culmination of years of hard work and the transition from student to colleague. It is an important moment for those involved. We want to help make the moment meaningful and have it transpire smoothly.
Because the hooding ceremony occurs at Commencement in front of a large audience and requires coordination with your hooders, we offer these instructions. Although the instructions are intended for the graduating doctoral candidate, the hooder may find them helpful as well.
Hooding How-To
Instructions
- You will have your hood with you. The hood has significance, so carry it folded in half lengthwise over your right forearm for uniformity.
- While seated during the ceremony before being hooded, keep the hood folded over your lap.
- You will approach the stage when given the direction to do so. At this point, you will again carry your hood draped over your right forearm with the velvet toward your elbow.
- Once the name reader pronounces your name, proceed up the stairs to the stage to the hooding area. Your personal hooder or the program’s designated hooder will meet you there. Offer your right arm with the hood still draped to your hooder who will take the hood from you.
- Turn and stand in front of the hooder, facing the audience. If you are taller than your hooder, bend your knees in a small squat.
- The hooder will open the hood behind you. Then, they will lift the hood over your head and place it at your collar, draping the length of the hood down your back with the satin lining showing. Once it is over your head, you can stand straight. Pause to give them time to position your hood. Smile and enjoy the moment as a photographer takes your picture.
- After being hooded, turn to face the hooder to shake hand
sas they extend their congratulations. Personal hooders will return to their seats. Designated faculty hooders will remain on stage.
- Then, you will proceed across the stage to the Dean, who will hand you your diploma cover.
- When receiving your diploma cover, make sure to pause to shake hands with the Dean and smile at a waiting photographer. After, proceed down the stairs to the opposite side from which you approached.
- Return to your original seat.
Some Don’ts of Hooding
- Don’t spin around. You will make fairly subtle movements during the process, turning from the hooder to face the audience for the hood placement, and then turning to shake hands. Allow the hooder to guide your movements.
- Don’t remove your tam (cap).
- Do not bend forward at the waist, as this makes it more difficult for the hooder to reach over your head.
- If you want to remove your hair from under the hood, be careful not to knock your tam (cap) off.