Personalized Graduation Gift Ideas

Celebrate with all the people -friends, teachers, parents and coaches, not to mention the graduates- who have helped make learning rewarding and fun.

Great Scholarly Rite of Passage

Graduation Day is a special event in any student’s life when years of learning and study culminate into the earning of an all-important academic degree. For a student in the U.S., it is the day when they complete kindergarten, grade school, high school, college, post-college, special programs or other academic pursuits and is awarded with the academic degree of a “graduate.” One of the most important moments in a student’s life, Graduation Day marks a transition from one stage in their educational life to another.

The Origin of Graduation Day

The highlight of Graduation Day is usually an elaborate ceremony, believed to have originated from a statute issued at Oxford University in the year 1432. According to this statute, every bachelor graduating from Oxford would deliver a sermon in Latin as part of his academic exercise, to demonstrate his scholarly prowess as well as to describe his feelings about his accomplishments and eventual exit from school. Many American universities were founded by ministers educated at Oxford; thus, the British tradition of Baccalaureate service continues. The graduation ceremony is an orchestrated public event that includes:

● the march of students onto a stage

● the reading of speeches

● the presentation of diplomas

● the commencement exercise, an official moment when students are declared graduated

Do You Know?

Before the graduation, student candidates are referred to as graduands.

When Students Become Graduates

Attended by parents, friends and well-wishers, it is a moment of pride for a student, as well as the audience members who look on with a sense of achievement, as they walk unto the stage while their name and major is announced and is presented with their academic degree. One of the highlights of Graduation Day’s is the Valedictory speech, an oral address made by the Valedictorian or the top graduate of the graduating class. Often, the Valedictorian will receive a standing ovation as a recognition of their outstanding efforts and success in academic life. The ceremony ends with all graduates throwing their hats known as mortarboards (an academic cap with a flat square with a tassel on top) into the air as a sign of rejoicing over their new status. After that, the graduation parties and the exchange of graduation gifts begins!

Personalize Plaques, Awards and More at PlaqueMaker

Add a personal touch to any graduation celebration by choosing the perfect custom engraved gift from PlaqueMaker. Don’t settle for something unremarkable; give your graduate something you’ve created just for them! We offer everything from customized picture frames and photo gifts, full-color printed plaques or a variety of laser-engraved plaque styles. Want to share a group graduation photo? Get special quantity pricing on full-color printed plaques that use the same image.

With our wide selection of materials and high quality production, graduation award plaques make cherished tributes for the graduate as well as proud parents and other family members. Gift your plaque on Graduation Day or display during a graduation celebratory event.