2010 Commencement Regalia – An Innovative Concept
by Amy N. Panzarella, SPHR
The concept of “going green” has taken on an entirely new meaning, look, and feel for American Public University System (APUS). APUS is proud to announce that our 2009-2010 graduates will be donning eco-friendly regalia during the commencement ceremony at Constitution Hall on May 21, 2010. This environmentally friendly regalia look and feel like the traditional cloth previously utilized. However, the regalia are made of 100% recycled plastic bottles! Understandably, it is tempting to envision over 450 “Lady Gaga” look-a-likes walking through the procession to receive their diploma wearing gowns made of plastic bottles. Alas, the reality is that the regalia, known as the “GreenWeaver” line, come from Oak Hall, a company out of Salem, Virginia.
Oak Hall is the leading manufacturer of academic apparel and is leading the charge in helping colleges and universities stay true to their promise to remain environmentally conscious. The GreenWeaver regalia are made from approximately 23 bottles per gown. As of March 1, 2010, 3.5 million plastic bottles have been reclaimed from landfills to produce GreenWeaver regalia. APUS President Wallace Boston signed the American College and University President’s Climate Commitment (ACUPCC) in September 2007. We believe our commencement ceremony is the appropriate forum to showcase our support to this commitment. We are proud to recognize the achievements of our 2009-2010 graduates on May 21 while saving over 10,350 plastic bottles from being permanently deposited into our landfills! This effort is merely a foreshadowing of what our university can accomplish using innovative ideas and forward thinking to accomplish the commitment made by President Boston and APUS.
To learn more about the May 21, 2010 commencement ceremony held at the Daughters of The American Revolution Constitution Hall, visit the website at http://www.apus.edu/student-affairs-center/commencement/index.htm.
Tags: 2010 Commencement, American College and University Presidents Climate Commitment, American Public University System, Constitution Hall, GreenWeaver, plastic bottles, Recycled plastic, regalia, water bottles
