Campus Life

Students invited to register for annual Lavender Graduation celebration

Lavender Graduation is an evening of reflection and celebration to recognize the achievements of graduating undergraduate and graduate students in the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, intersex, asexual, and ally (LGBTQQIA) communities from all of the Penn State campuses.  Credit: Penn StateCreative Commons

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — The LGBTQA Student Resource Center announces the opening of registration for the Lavender Graduation celebration and reception to be held at 6 p.m. on April 20 in Heritage Hall in the HUB-Robeson Center.

Students who wish to participate in this year's celebration must register by April 12

2018 marks the 17th celebration of this inspiring and affirming ceremony.

Lavender Graduation is an evening of reflection and celebration to recognize the achievements of graduating undergraduate and graduate students in the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, intersex, asexual and ally (LGBTQQIA) communities from all of the Penn State campuses.

In addition to honoring graduates, the ceremony provides students with the opportunity to thank a significant supporter — a person in their life that has provided support to them throughout their journey.          

As part of the ceremony, graduating students will receive a rainbow stole and tassel, and a certificate honoring their resiliency and courage. Lavender graduation provides a time to reflect on the achievements that each person has contributed to Penn State while also welcoming them into the greater alumni community.

Recognizing the challenging road to graduation that many students in the LGBTQ+ community face, the ceremony gives Penn State, graduating students, family, friends, faculty, administrators, peers, allies and significant supporters the opportunity to holistically embrace each student at the conclusion of the undergraduate or graduate journey.

Anyone is welcome to attend the ceremony. Students graduating in spring, summer or fall 2018 are eligible to participate in the April 20th celebration. This year’s graduates can register here.

Last Updated April 9, 2018

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