Glossary

Young students assisting the Master of Ceremonies and Head Marshal. Their duties include guiding guests and standing as honour guards. You can recognize them by a broad ribbon worn over one shoulder and a student cap.

The Gratista (f.) or gratisti (m.) is the chair of the Conferment Committee, selected from amongst themselves by the promovendi in said committee.

The Master of Ceremonies is responsible for making all ceremonial aspects of the events go smoothly.

The Faculty will also be conferring honorary doctorates in the Conferment Ceremony. An honorary doctorate may be awarded to anyone that the Faculty deems to have deserved the honour, regardless of their prior educational background.

A companion of a doctor promovendus. Despite their name, they do not have to sharpen swords.

An official of the Conferment Ceremony chosen by the Faculty. The officiants are the Conferrer, the Master of Ceremonies, and the Head Marshal.

A group of volunteers responsible for organising the Conferment Ceremony, composed of master and doctor promovendi. The committee is led by the Gratista (f.) or Gratisti (m.).

The Conferrer confers or bestows the academic status of master or doctor to the promovendi. The highest-ranking person in the Conferment Ceremony.

A Master of Arts or Sciences or a Doctor of Philosophy who will have their rank bestowed upon them in the Conferment Ceremony.

Masters and doctors who took part in the Conferment Ceremony 50 years ago will be conferred the rank of jubilee master or doctor.

A companion of a master promovendus. The wreath-weaver makes their master promovendus’ laurel wreath by tying or sewing the fresh leaves onto the wreath’s base. This is done under the instruction of the official wreath-weaver in the event reserved for it. The official wreath-weaver and his/her assistants will make the laurel wreaths for promovendi participating alone.

On Flower’s day, the 13th of May, the promovendi meet in the morning at the Old Student House to select the official wreath-weaver for the Conferment Ceremony. His/her duties include supervising the crafting of the laurel wreaths. The official wreath-weaver is selected from among the children of the professors of the Faculty or of some other person the promovendi wish to honour. The official wreath-weaver symbolizes spring, youth and faith in the future.

The head marshal is, together with the Master of Ceremonies, responsible for all events proceeding smoothly, and is in charge of the marshals.