Pomp and Graduation Trivia

If you get sweaty just thinking of a hot afternoon watching dozens of new grads wearing heavy gowns, you can thank the Middle Ages for this tradition. Buildings back then were cold and drafty so a good way to combat the chill was to wear long, heavy gowns.

The most popular graduation gift? Cold, hard cash!

High school graduates receive an average of 17.5 graduation cards to commemorate their big day.

Want to cash in after college graduation? Choose petroleum engineering as your major. Placement is around 100% with salaries topping out at $58,400… not including signing bonuses. A great way to help pay off those student loans!

In the old days, diplomas were handwritten on sheepskin… rolled up…and tied with ribbons!

Can’t get that tune out of your head? You can thank Sir Edward Elgar for that! A famous composer, he is best known for “Pomp and Circumstance,” originally composed in 1901. The tune was eventually adopted by Princeton in 1907, Chicago in 1908, Columbia in 1913, Vassar in 1916, and Rutgers in 1918 as their official graduation ceremony accompaniment.

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