The Lavender Graduation Ceremony first started at Case Western Reserve University in 2010. This annual event is a partnership between the LGBT Center, Pride Alumni Network, and the CWRU Alumni Association aimed at recognizing the experiences and contributions of graduating LGBTQ+ students of the university and its affiliated schools.
The event typically features an address from the President of CWRU, remarks from a student speaker, the awarding of certificates to and cording of graduates, and the awarding of the Douglas W. Nock Endowed Scholarship, the CWRU Pride LGBT Ohio Leadership Award, the CWRU Pride Outstanding Student Award, and the Prism Award.
Upcoming Deadlines for Lavender Graduation 2023
This year's Lavender Graduation will take place on Friday, April 28, 2023 in the Linsalata Alumni Center. Please register on CampusGroups. Don't forget to apply for the scholarships available in conjunction with Lavender Graduation (more information about each scholarship can be found under the Scholarships and Awards tab). Hope to see you there!
Scholarship applications are due on Friday, March 31, 2023 at 5 pm. Registration for Lavender Graduation closes on Friday, April 14, 2023 at midnight.
Lavender Graduation is a private ceremony available to only students, staff, and faculty who register for the event, and no personal details about participants in Lavender Graduates will be shared publicly without consent.
Every year, a student gives remarks on the LGBT experience at CWRU. Below is a video of the remarks from 2018 speaker Cameron Childers, with introduction by former LGBT Center Director Liz Roccoforte.