Lavender Graduation

2024 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.

Save the date - Lavender Graduation 2024 will be held on Thursday, May 2nd, 2024.  

Alumni Keynote: Luz N. Pellot (KSU '92), IT Professional & Longtime contributor of in-kind service to the LGBTQ+ community

Are you an LGBTQ+ student who is graduating in the spring, summer, or fall 2024 semesters? We hope you’ll join us for Lavender Graduation, a university sponsored pre-commencement event that celebrates the accomplishments of LGBTQ+ students, as well as faculty/staff and community members during the awards portion of the event.  All are welcomed to this no-cost dinner event, but registration is required. Registration closes on April 15th at midnight!

Register Here

Lavender Graduation Awards 2024

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:

• Bridge Builder 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.
• Delores Noll Distinguished 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. 

Stay tuned for this year's winners!

2023 Lavender Graduation

The 2023 Lavender Graduation was held Friday, May 5th in the KSC Ballroom. Congratulations to our 2023 graduates! Below are video recordings of the 2023 LavGrad Alumni Keynote speaker, Student Keynote speaker, and Poetry Reading. 

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.

Information and Questions

If you have any questions, please call the LGBTQ+ Center at, (330) 672-8580 or email at, LGBTQSC@kent.edu.