The Lavender Graduation Celebration is a cultural celebration that brings together the entire student body, faculty, staff and former students to recognize, affirm and celebrate the accomplishments for graduating LGBTQ+ undergraduate and graduate students and their allies. The ceremony also recognizes the students' contributions to Texas A&M University. The Lavender Graduation Celebration has been observed during the spring semester at Texas A&M since 2014 and honors those graduating in the spring, summer, or fall of the current calendar year.
In 1995, the first Lavender Graduation ceremony was coordinated at the University of Michigan by then LGBTQ Campus Resource Center director, Ronnie Sanlo. Dr. Sanlo realized that LGBTQ+ students needed to be recognized for not only their achievements, but for surviving their college years. The graduation began as an effort for students to feel connected to their institution and celebrate their identities. Lavender Graduation is designed to support an institution's mission of excellent service, specifically one that embraces, enhances and celebrates the academic achievements of LGBTQ+ students and their allies.
2020 Lavendar Graduation Celebration
Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, this year's Lavender Graduation Celebration is going to be virtual. On May 8, 2020, at 7 p.m., the LGBTQ+ Pride Center will post the virtual ceremony to our social media channels. The ceremony will include addresses from university administrators, The Association of Former Students, and the Aggie Pride Former Student Network. The ceremony will feature photos of graduates with a list of their accomplishments while they were at the university.
Texas A&M Univeristy students graduating during spring, summer or fall 2020, should use the form to register for the Lavender Graduation Celebration Ceremony or to request your Lavender Graduation Celebration stole. Graduating students do not need to participate in the ceremony to receive a stole.
Stoles will be mailed to graduating students or available for pick up from the Pride Center on the second floor of the Student Services Building once university staff are allowed to return to work on campus.