Gown Library Project

The gown is a tradition unique to Sewanee that represents our dedication to academic excellence. With the current system, the tradition of the Order of the Gown can only be sustained if student participants are passed down a gown or if a gown is purchased. Barriers preventing gown access go against our values of maintaining equal opportunities for all and building an environment where students are pushed to succeed.

This year, the Order of the Gown has continued a great many of the projects that began last year, continuing and building on the work of last year’s council. The Order of the Gown’s Gown Affordability Fund continued its work in offering aid in purchasing an academic gown to students who apply for it. The Advent 2022 Gown Affordability Fund cycle was tremendously successful as we administered funds to dozens of students and met 82% of requested aid. This year, the Gown Affordability Fund grew significantly in great thanks to Susan Askew and the Alumni Office, as significant funding was raised through the sale of old SPO boxes to alumni. This partnership with the Alumni Office will allow the fund to thrive for years to come. We have also continued our partnership with the Jessie Ball duPont Library to offer students access to the OG Gown Library. The Gown Library offers students the opportunity to check out a gown for select events if they do not wish to purchase one for themselves. As always, we continue to urge students to pass their gowns down to students that come after them, as the gown is one of the University’s oldest, strongest, and most unique traditions.