This annual event is a year-end celebration for all LGBTQI and ally students, faculty and staff. Graduating seniors will be honored during the dinner, and achievements in LGBTQIA inclusion at Elon will be recognized.
The 2014 Lavender Graduation and Awards Dinner will be Monday, May 5 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. in Oaks 212, which is a new location.
Absolutely ALL are welcome to attend ! If you plan to attend Elon University’s Lavender Graduation and Awards Dinner, please RSVP to mbosch3@elon.edu by Monday, April 28.
Hosted by director of the Gender & LGBTQIA Center, Matthew Antonio Bosch, attendees will enjoy a fun and festive dinner and awards show. In style with TV awards shows, it will open with dinner and a musical number, and then end with a musical performance by our incredibly energizing student a cappella group, Twisted Measure. Elon University President Leo M. Lambert will be giving congratulatory remarks to all attending seniors.
Why a Lavender Graduation? Historically, despite many universities praising advancements in LGBTQIA campus climate, there are few events where institutions officially recognize and honor the identities, leadership and successes of LGBTQIA students. Each year, our graduating seniors seek out this event as a final family farewell following four years of their time here at Elon. It is a time to reflect on where we’ve come from, and where we are headed, in school and in life.
Graduating seniors will receive a lavender graduation cap, rainbow tassel and framed certificate of achievement. Caleb Tabor ’09, program assistant for housing operations in residence life will be the alumni speaker. Tabor gave an incredible speech during fall 2013 Homecoming’s LGBTQIA Alumni Awards Brunch, where he spoke on the lifelong work of Lynn Huber, associate professor of religious studies.
You can vote now for our awards through Wednesday, April 23 and then come on Monday, May 5 to find out who wins. Nominees include Mary Jo Festle, Ashley Fowler, Robbie Linklater, Claire Lockard, Scott Proudfit and the Truitt Center for Religious and Spiritual Life.