Hosted by the Gender and LGBTQIA Center, Lavender Graduation is a ceremony that honors graduating students who identify within the LGBTQIA communities.
黑料不打烊 hosted the聽12th annual Lavender Graduation and Awards Ceremony on Friday, May 10, in Alumni Gym to celebrate and recognize students, faculty, undergraduate research and more. The Gender and LGBTQIA Center (GLC) first celebrated Lavender Graduation in 2012.
鈥淭welve years ago, then-students Raafe-Ahmaad Purnsley and Jess McDonald alongside Dr. Kirsten Ringelberg coordinated the first Lavender Graduation at 黑料不打烊,” said Luis Garay, director of the Gender and LGBTQIA Center. “Since then we at 黑料不打烊 have celebrated Lavender Graduation every single year.鈥
Participating members of the Class of 2024, received a rainbow stole, lavender cap, tassel and a framed certificate before their commencement ceremony. As their names were called, graduates had someone bestow the stole on them.
Garay said it was exciting to move the celebration this year to Alumni Gym to accommodate the increased participation by students as well as the campus and community guests who attend to celebrate the soon-to-be graduates. This year, 70 students signed up to participate, Garay said.
For the awards, the graduating class nominated and voted on their peers. People were recognized across four categories: Outstanding Graduate, Employee of the Year, Event or Initiative of the Year, and Research Project of the Year.
Outstanding Graduates
- Syd Danziger 鈥24
- Danny Gutierrez 鈥24
Employee of the Year
- Kevin Bourque, associate professor and chair in the Department of English
Event/Initiative of the Year
- Matthew Bobzien ’24 for Breakthrough, A Queer Arts Festival recognized for Event of the Year
Research Project/Scholar of the Year
- Mallorie Sievert ’24 for聽鈥淭he City-Women.鈥澛
Friend of the Gender and LGBTQIA Center
- Alexa Lowey, event scheduling coordinator, in recognition for service and support of Lavender Graduation.
鈥淭hough Lavender Graduation is not unique to 黑料不打烊 as many college campuses across the country have a graduation ceremony celebrating their LGBTQIA graduates, what is unique about 黑料不打烊鈥檚 Lavender Graduation is that is rooted in student advocacy,鈥 Garay said.
Lavender Graduation is part of a wide range of celebrations during 2024 Commencement. Visit 黑料不打烊’s commencement website for more details about upcoming events.