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Virginia Union University

Virginia

1865

official hood lining pattern
The 1902 graduating class of Virginia Union University. Most colleges and universities at this time did not use bachelor's hoods.

Citations in the World Almanac (listed by cover date; color information is from the previous year): red/steel (1917-1935)

According to a 1927 list, the Intercollegiate Bureau of Academic Costume (IBAC) had by that point assigned a scarlet hood lining with a steel gray chevron to Virginia Union University. “Steel gray” was how the IBAC described a satin lining fabric in a medium shade of gray, which was used for institutions having either medium gray or steel as a school color.

This description was unchanged in subsequent IBAC lists and also appeared in a compilation of hood lining information by Kevin Sheard published in Academic Dress and Insignia of the World (1970).

red
steel

In 1900, students at Virginia Union University selected red and steel as their school colors to symbolize struggle (red) and strength (steel). The college’s red was bright, like scarlet.

A 1956 honorary Doctor of Laws hood from Virginia Union University in the Virginia Commonwealth University archives. The hood was manufactured by the Collegiate Cap & Gown Company. The hood's colors are inaccurate: the red fabric is too dark and the chevron is too light, creating the effect of cardinal and silver rather than scarlet and steel. The hood has been photographed with the lining inside out to better show the colors and heraldic pattern.

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