For Rohan Rao, the road to becoming the valedictorian of the Lawrence High School (LHS) Class of 2025 began at home.

A decorated mortarboard cap, right, during Cal State Long Beach’s College of Engineering commencement ceremony at Angel Stadium in Anaheim on Sunday, May 18, 2025.

Members of the University of Wyoming’s Mortar Board senior honor society recently presented their “Top Profs” and “Tip of the Cap” awards to honor faculty and staff members, respectively.

A graduating Harvard University student wears a mortarboard that features a book and a feather during Harvard commencement ceremonies on May 29, 2014, in Cambridge, Mass. To stand out amid a sea ...

It’s called a mortarboard cap. I see it everywhere, from the emoji keyboard to billboards, but until I put one on my head I didn’t appreciate how weird it looks. Seriously.

How should you decorate your graduation cap? Take our quiz to find out.

Stylized silhouette of a Mortarboard, Academic cap, Graduate cap or Oxford cap with tassel - cut out vector icon isolated on white background.

Stylized black Mortarboard, Academic cap, Graduate cap or Oxford cap with yellow tassel - cut out vector illustration icon isolated on white background.

Caleb Jorgensen’s beaded cap and attached eagle feather paid tribute to his Yankton Sioux tribal heritage, he said.

The mortorboard cap belonging to senior Claudia Patterson (who will be attending the University of Wisconsin) during the Bridgehampton School graduation ceremony on Sunday, 6/24/18 The mortorboard ...