Originally a fourragere was awarded to the members of a military unit for distinguished service.  The students we honor here today have shown themselves courageous in the battle for academic excellence, and they have earned the right to wear these braids of distinction.  

Of course, blue and gold are the University’s colors and colors of the honors program pin.  The Fourragere is to be a reminder of Texas A&M University-Commerce, but the specific colors are symbolic as well.  Blue is the color of sincere intellectual endeavor – a tradition that goes back to ancient Egypt.  It is reflected today in the blue velvet on a doctoral graduation gown. The blue in this braid represents the inner fulfillment we know these honors students have attained from their work.  

Joined separately with the blue is the gold, the symbol of public achievement as in a gold medal.  We have every reason to believe that these graduates will have rich and successful futures, bringing credit to themselves and to the Honors Program and Texas A&M University-Commerce.

Finally, the Fourragere is circular, representing the never-ending nature of the quest of both knowledge and excellence.  

These students have worked hard to achieve, not these braids, but the personal and public excellence which they represent.  We are proud of you.  And you should be proud of yourselves and your achievements.  You have earned the right to show them to the world by wearing these gold and blue fourrageres.