Lavender Graduation
2022 Lavender Graduation
Lavender Graduation builds on the university-wide commencement events as an officially supported ceremony honoring the achievements of graduating lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and ally (LGBTQ+) students at Kent State University.
Hold the date: The 2022 Lavender Graduation will be held Friday, May 6th at Manchester Field behind the Student Center. An Alumni Reception will be from 5-6pm, and then the ceremony will be from 6-8:30pm.
Keynote: Brian Michael Smith (KSU '05), actor and advocate
This dinner and awards celebration is free; however, registration is required.
Registration has closed for this event.
Lavender Graduation Awards 2022
As part of Lavender Graduation, we take a moment to recognize the accomplishments and contributions of the graduating students during their time on campus. We welcome any enrolled student, faculty or staff member to nominate a graduating student for the awards listed below:
- Outstanding Collaborative Ally Award: An ally or student organization that has worked collaboratively with LGBTQ organizations on campus to create a better place for LGBTQ+ identified people.
- Out & Proud Student Leader Award: An LGBTQ+ identified student who exemplifies student leadership.
- Rising Star Award: First year student who has made tremendous effort to bring visibility, support, and leadership to the LGBTQ+ community at KSU.
- Faculty/Staff Award: Awarded to a faculty/staff member who has worked to create a better campus environment for LGBTQ+ identified people.
- Alumni Award: Awarded to a Kent State alumni who makes efforts to create a better world for LGBTQ+ identified people.
- Community Award: Awarded to a community member who has worked to create a better environment on campus, in Kent, or in Ohio for LGBTQ+ identified people.
Nominate someone now at: ksu.convio.net/LavenderNominations
2021 Lavender Graduation commencement celebration!
Celebration Date and Time
Lavender Graduation's Virtual Celebration was held May 4th through May 8th on the LGBTQ+ Center's various social media platforms. You can watch the full video playlist by clicking here.
*An in-person celebration will still be held once it is safe to do so.
LavGrad Awards
- Alumni Award: Awarded to a Kent State alumni who makes efforts to create a better world for LGBTQ+ identified people. Congrats Emmett Drugan!
- Bridge Builder Award: A KSU student or organization that has worked collaboratively with LGBTQ+ organizations on campus to create a better place for LGBTQ+ identified people. Congrats Chazzlyn Jackson!
- Community Award: Awarded to a community member who has worked to create a better environment on campus, in Kent, or in Ohio for LGBTQ+ identified people. Congrats Jacob Nash!
- Faculty/Staff Award: Awarded to a faculty/staff member who has worked to create a better campus environment for LGBTQ+ identified people. Congrats Erica Pelz!
- Out and Proud Student Leader Award: Out and proud LGBTQ+ identified student who exemplifies student leadership. Congrats Angela Molina!
- Rising Star Award: First year student who has made tremendous effort to bring visibility, support, and leadership to the LGBTQ+ community at KSU. Congrats Mac O'Neill!
Information and Questions
If you have any questions, please call the LGBTQ+ Center at, (330) 672-8580 or email at, LGBTQSC@kent.edu.