Volume 3, Issue 6 of The Rotunda (Nov. 11, 1922) is the first reference to “senior installation,” in which 15 of the 17 members of the Senior class were “installed” by then-President Joseph Jarman. In that ceremony, Seniors processed in donning gowns and had their caps placed on their heads by Jarman.
Over time, the graduating classes grew, and instead of the University President capping each graduate - each Senior picked a “little sister” to do the honor. This happened in the early 1970’s, and soon after the tradition of decorating caps finds its roots.
Volume 57, Issue 2 of The Rotunda (Sept. 13, 1977) is the first reference to decorating tassels, though it is unclear if this is the first time the tradition took place. Rotunda Staff Writer Jan Turner wrote, “To add a special touch to the ceremony, all little sisters made the cap tassels themselves. Some even symbolized what the seniors had done in college.”
This edition of The Rotunda also references Convocation, which had been a separate event or not held entirely. In this event, the faculty (wearing their academic regalia) processed into the auditorium - much like the Convocation we know today. That said, after the announcement of recognized scholars (including underclassmen) and faculty members' speeches, that was the end of the ceremony.
In 1981, however, Convocation and senior capping were combined under President Janet Greenwood, resembling the ceremony that Longwood knows and loves to this day.
However, you might be asking, how did Lancers go from decorated tassels to elaborate 3D caps? Images from 1998-2002 show a mixed bag of long, decorated tassels hanging off the side and tall caps like the ones we see today. As Longwood progressed into the 2000s, cap decorations slowly crept up the mortar board. In pictures from the late 2000s (including one of VPSA Cam Patterson!), you can see elaborate designs almost entirely on the tops of caps.
Since the 1920s, senior capping has been one of Longwood’s most unique and treasured traditions. In over 100 years, this tradition has changed in ways unimaginable by the first generation of Lancers to be capped. Who knows how it’ll change in the next 100?
Convocation 1977, under President Willett, captured by Rotunda photographer Dave Phillips
President Lancaster caps Senior Class President Shirley Hauptman '58, 1957
Vol 3, No 6 - Nov 11, 1922 / The first mention of "Senior Capping" in The Rotunda
Director of FSL Julie Ramsey '93 caps Sorority Sister Wende Davis '92
Archives & Special Collections Librarian Jamie Krogh '07 and Dr. David Coles
Associate Director of Content and Social Media Dustyn Hall, Class of '18
Sue Brown '91 is capped by Michelle Ryalls '92
Vice President of Student Affairs Cam Patterson '10, Convocation 2009
Asst. VP of Student Dev. Larry Robertson '90 and Elizabeth Gould '90, Convocation 1989
