Inaugural 'Lavender Graduation' planned

KALAMAZOO—A Lavender Graduation ceremony will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, April 25, in the Fetzer Center's banquet hall to acknowledge the achievements of Western Michigan University's lesbian, bisexual, gay, transgender and ally students.

This special celebration—the first official one of its kind at WMU—will feature graduating students receiving certificates and the presentation of several Universitywide awards.

Family members and friends of the graduates as well as of the award winners are encouraged to attend the event. Graduates who wish to receive a certificate during the ceremony must register by visiting wmich.edu/diversityandinclusion/lbgt and clicking Lavender Graduation.

Lavender Graduation is an opportunity to recognize LBGTA students for their accomplishments and successes while at WMU. The event also serves to honor the contributions these students make to the University as well as to honor the contributions WMU employees, units and organizations make to the University's LBGTA community.

Up to five awards will be presented. They are the Bronco Pride Campus Advocacy Award, Emerging Leader Award, Lambda Leadership Award, Outstanding Ally Award and Stonewall Award for Distinguished Service and Leadership.

The deadline to submit nominations is Friday, April 5.

For each award, a selection committee will choose one winner in the individual category and one winner in the unit/organization/team category. WMU students, employees, units and organizations are eligible to receive the awards, and anyone on or off campus may make a nomination.

For award guidelines and an online nomination form, visit the Lavender Graduation website.

For more information, contact Jen Hsu, WMU coordinator of the Office of LBGT Student Services, at lbgt-coordinator@wmich.edu or (269) 387-2123.