°ÅÀÖÊÓƵ

A °ÅÀÖÊÓƵ commencement tradition is to honor accomplished juniors and invite them to be a part of the May commencement ceremonies. The Grey Gowns are key to the success of commencement ceremony serving as degree candidate, faculty, and platform party ushers as well as facilitating the degree conferral process. Applicants for this honor must be Juniors (having 60 to 89 completed credits), have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.50 or higher, and be in good standing with the university.

Congratulations to the 2026 Grey Gowns! Grace Finch, Kailani Ibanez, Nicole Louie, Kai Markle, Skyla Paleka, Wade Persinger, Kathy Ruiz, and Abigail Slama-Catron.

From the Archives...
The Grey Gowns at Pacific
A brief history, by Archivist Eva Guggemos, 2026

The tradition of °ÅÀÖÊÓƵ's Grey Gowns began in 1942. This was just months after the United States entered World War II. It was also shortly after the inauguration of our 10th University President, Walter Giersbach. It may have been President Giersbach or his wife Marion who originally introduced the idea to Pacific, possibly drawing on an earlier tradition at one of their former institutions. The first occasion of the tradition was described in an article in the student newspaper:

"New Grey Gown Tradition to be Started on Campus. °ÅÀÖÊÓƵ is inaugurating a new custom on this campus hoping it will become traditional. Eight Juniors are selected by the faculty to become Grey Gowns who will act as commencement ushers and marshals. These students will wear grey academic caps and gowns and will serve at the Baccalaureate and the Commencement services. They will also have charge of the decorations. The Grey Gowns are chosen on the basis of scholarship, character and Christian citizenship." (The Index, May 15, 1942, p. 1)

It appears that in addition to their duties as ushers, the Grey Gowns were also originally part of something called the "Junior Jubilee," an event offered by the Junior Class on the afternoon following the graduation ceremony. During this event, juniors presented speeches, musical performances and other entertainments to attendees. Eight Grey Gowns, "selected on a basis of Character, Scholarship, Personality and Service," were listed as participating in the Jubilee in 1943. Notably, the criteria of "Christian citizenship" for selection as a Grey Gown, which had been present during the prior year, was no longer mentioned after that date.

The tradition of the Junior Jubilee appears to have ended in the mid-1940s, but the Grey Gowns continued to be honored as "high ranking members of the Junior Class" on Commencement Programs. Their duties were very similar to those they have today. The instructions given to Pacific's graduating seniors in 1951, which told students to "Follow the directions of the Gary Gowns who will act as ushers, so that all may be seated quickly and without confusion," are almost identical to those given in the 2020s.

Remarkably little appears to have changed regarding the Grey Gowns tradition since 1942. They continue to represent some of the best and most engaged scholars from our junior class. As of this writing in 2026, they have served during Commencement for 84 years.

This May's commencement ceremonies are going to be held on Saturday, May 16 in Hanson Stadium. You can find more information about commencement by visiting .