Lavender Graduation Celebration

What is a Lavender Graduation?

Lavender Graduation events intend to honor graduating seniors that identify as LGBTQ+ and allies for their contributions to the Geneseo community. These programs also recognize the resilience and advocacy demonstrated by LGBTQ+ students in light of unique experiences and potential obstacles within higher education. More information about the history of Lavender Graduation on a national scale can be found using the link below.                                                                                                       

Here you can find the Human Rights Campaign Lavender Graduation webpage.

When is this year's Lavender Graduation Celebration?

The 4th Annual Lavender Graduation Celebration is traditionally hosted in May in the Doty Recital Hall.

This year's Lavender Graduation Celebration will be in-person and take place on Tuesday, May 10, 2022 in the Doty Recital Hall from 5:30pm-6:30pm. Light refreshments will be served after the ceremony.

Please RSVP for this event by Tuesday, April 26, 2022:

Awards Presented at the Event

The Lavender Graduation Celebration Planning Committee is also excited to share nomination submission forms for three awards that will be presented at the Lavender Graduation Celebration to honor a student, a faculty or staff member, and an alum for their contributions to social justice. Award recipients will be selected by the Lavender Graduation Celebration Planning Committee and notified prior to the event. Nominations are due on Tuesday, April 26, 2022. Below are the links to the nomination forms, each with additional information about the specific award criteria:

Award recipients were selected by the Lavender Graduation Celebration Planning Committee and presented to awardees at the reception. 

Previous award recipients:

Lavender Student Leadership Award

2018  Troy Keith

Troy Keith Student Leadership Award

2019  Vanessa Cepeda
2019  Daniel Kahl
2019  Kevin Vazcones

2020 Julia Eleanor Deacon
2020  Hannah Fahy
2020 Madeline Reichler

Faculty/Staff Award

2017  Dr. Jennifer Katz, Dept of Psychology
2018  Daniel Jacques, Dept of Chemistry
2019  Dr. Irene Belyakov-Goodman, 
2020  Brandon West, Library Research Instruction

Rainbow Revolutionary Distinguished Alumni Award

2017  Ceridwen Troy (2007)
2018  robbie routenberg (2005)
2019  Jennifer Sahrle (2003)
2020  Michael Venturiello (2013)

Feel free to send questions regarding the Lavender Graduation Celebration to the Coordinator, LGBTQ Programs and Services, Charlotte Wade, at cwade@geneseo.edu.