Lavender Graduation honors raduates who are undergraduate, graduate, or professional students at Elon University who have contributed to LGBTQIA inclusion at ELon University. Each graduate is recognized during the ceremony and receives a graduation stole, rainbow tassel, certificate, and certificate holder.

Lavender Graduation is free to students and funded in part by donations to the Gender and LGBTQIA Center (GLC). To give to the GLC, visit our giving page.

13th Annual Lavender Graduation – May 2025

We are excited for the 13th Annual Lavender Graduation which celebrates LGBTQIA inclusion at Elon University with a special event to recognize graduating undergraduate students and graduate students who have made a positive contribution to LGBTQIA inclusion at the institution through their identities, advocacy, allyship, and support. All are invited to participate.

The event details are:

    • Date: Friday, May 9, 2025
    • Ceremony Time: 5:00pm (Graduates arrive at 4:30pm)
    • Reception: Light hors d’evours immediately after the ceremony
    • Location: Alumni Gym, Elon University
    • RSVP:
      • Graduates – Sign Up Form (EXTENDED! Closes 11:59pm Tues., 4/15)
        • Note: If you are a stole bearer for a graduate, you do not have to RSVP.
      • General RSVP – Sign Up Form
    • Questions? Email the GLC at glc@elon.edu.

Note: if you are a student who is graduating in December 2025, we will have a Lavender Graduation ceremony for you in December 2025, final date TBA.

What is Lavender Graduation?

Lavender Graduation is an annual ceremony conducted on numerous campuses to honor LGBTQIA students who are graduating by acknowledging their achievements in college as well as their contributions to the university. The 1st Lavender Graduation Ceremony in the U.S. was created by Dr. Ronni Sanlo at the University of Michigan.  Many universities hold Lavender Graduation Ceremonies among the list of their university’s Commencement Ceremonies. For more information, visit here.

At Elon, any student about to graduate may be honored, including both undergraduate and graduate students.  Students receive a rainbow stole, lavender graduation cap, rainbow tassel (which can be worn at Elon’s Commencement), and a certificate.

Why a Lavender Graduation Ceremony?

For decades students at colleges and universities around the country have been celebrating both their academic achievements and their cultural heritages at specialized commencement events. These events provide a sense of community for students who often experience tremendous culture shock at their institutions. Many students find these smaller ceremonies both meaningful and personal.

Lavender Graduation is an event to which LGBTQIA and ally students look forward, where they not only share their hopes and dreams with one another, but where they are officially recognized by the institution for their leadership and their successes and achievements.