Recognizing a Step Toward Success

College graduations begin this week in our area.

UNR has several Spring graduations that culminate this Saturday. WNC has its ceremony on Monday. And TMCC’s commencement is next Friday.

But did you know that many of today’s graduation traditions, like caps, gowns, and diplomas, are derived from the 12th century?

Caps and gowns were regular attire for clerics to keep warm in drafty medieval buildings. They were the learned few tasked with transcribing and protecting written documents during the Middle Ages.

Diplomas were considered important church papers. Originally used for declaring one’s religious office or position, the 1st universities adopted the use of diplomas to recognize a student’s mastery of a subject.

Even the words graduate and commencement have their origins in medieval Latin. Gradus (steps) relates to the degrees one takes to learn and/or improve themselves. And incepto (beginning) was the process of an apprentice or student being recognized as a professional and/or teacher.

Congratulations to the class of 2026, and the new graduates, enlisted personnel, first responders and journey workers, as you take the next step toward your professional endeavors.

Pictured: Tahoe Fence stepped redwood and wire-panel enclosure in Truckee (Nevada and Placer Counties.) 2026