Put Jenn in Doctoral Regalia!

Hi. My name is Jenn Lindsay . I'm getting ready to defend my PhD dissertation in the social science of religion at Boston University. Here's an animation I made of my dissertation.  Ten years ago when I embarked upon my Master of Divinity at Union Theological Seminary in New York City, I discovered that I really loved learning about religious communities, beliefs and practices. I ended up carrying that passion to Boston University where I've worked very hard for 7 years on a doctoral path that has culminated in my dissertation, an ethnographic study of interreligious dialogue practices in Rome and in the Middle East. 

Getting to the end of a ten-year academic path is a time of exhaustion and ambivalence, but there is one thing that is keeping me afloat: DOCTORAL REGALIA!!!


Boston University doctoral graduates get to don a glorious red frock, topped with an 8-sided black velvet tam with gold bullion tassel!!!!! As you can see, it has been proudly worn by none other than Leonard Nimoy, Morgan Freeman, and these other random PhDs I found on the internet. 



My dream is finally coming true. One reason I did a PhD was so I could wear a giant red robe and a black velvet tam and flounce around like a smarty-pants! I must wear that robe. THAT was the whole point.

(I'm being facetious, but the regalia WAS part of a daydream that got me through the many low points of this incredibly difficult endeavor.)

Never mind that theology PhDs in Finland get top hats and swords.



I just can't wait to prance about in my clever red velvet regalia.


Of course, just like the rest of my education, doctoral regalia is extremely expensive. The total for B.U. regalia with shipping and tax is $1180. This is easily twice as much as my wedding dress. But doing this PhD was a billion times harder than getting married, and considering that--like getting married--this big life step occasions a change to my name, and considering that hopefully I will find a professional gig that--unlike getting married--has me wear these robes more than just once...I guess the cost is appropriate.

My friends on Facebook quickly recognized the value of this robe. UC Berkeley Professor Brandi Wilkins Catanese, Ph.D. wrote, "I can so relate! Seeing one of my Berkeley professors in the UC system's gorgeous blue robes and puffy hat when I was at my undergraduate commencement totally left a mark on my soul!"

Dr. Alli Bell said, "The promise of academic regalia was the only thing that got me over the finish line. No joke."

Mark Stengel wrote, "Don’t you want to purchase the gown so you can wear it at future graduations as a faculty member?"

And Kelly Colwell noted, "I'd think you'd want to purchase the regalia so you can wear it around the house. That is what I am planning."

So, by the tender suggestion of the lovely Frederica Beltramore, I thought it might be worthwhile to set up this gift fund to purchase my academic regalia. As she wrote, "In Italy it's normal to give friends a gift for degrees and such. Crowdfunding would be a way to allow your friends spread around the world to contribute to your PhD celebration, since the regalia clearly mean a lot to you."

I couldn't have put it better myself. So, if you would like to help me celebrate becoming "not that kind of a doctor" Dr. Jenn Lindsay by garnishing me in a giant, swishy, blood-red velvet doctoral robe--not to mention the all-important 8-sided black velvet tam with gold bullion tassel--I would be so happy and grateful.

With your donation, you will be part of a colossal red-and-black velvet hug that warms me at my PhD graduation this May 2018!