Using Their Heads

In the sea of black-robed graduates at the Tulane Unified Commencement Ceremony, splashes of color glowed here and there on the grads' mortarboards. Personalizing mortarboards with beads, feathers, messages and artistic designs, from elaborate to simple, has become a wearable art exhibit and a way for parents and friends to identify a favorite grad in the crowd. Many include a fleur-de-lis in homage to New Orleans. Here are several that caught the eyes of Tulane photographers — the first two photos below are by Paula Burch-Celentano and the remainder are by Sally Asher. Hats off to all the 2011 grads!