Lavender Graduation
*Open to UT Dallas LGBT+ & Ally students graduating in Spring 2020, Summer 2020 or Fall 2020*- RSVP Required.
Lavender Graduation is an annual ceremony conducted on numerous campuses to honor lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and ally students and to acknowledge their achievements and contributions to the University. Graduating students, including undergraduates and graduates, you are invited to take part in the celebration, which occurs each year the week prior to university-wide commencement events. Students who wish to participate must submit an application. The celebration does not replace the official UT Dallas graduation ceremony.For additional questions, please contact Matt Winser-Johns, Assistant Director for LGBT+ Programs.
The Lavender Graduation Ceremony was created by Dr. Ronni Sanlo, a Jewish Lesbian, who was denied the opportunity to attend the graduations of her biological children because of her sexual orientation. It was through this experience that she came to understand the pain felt by her students. Encouraged by the Dean of Students at the University of Michigan, Dr. Sanlo designed the first Lavender Graduation Ceremony in 1995.
The first Lavender Graduation at The University of Texas at Dallas began in 2012. We are now in our 8th year celebrating our LGBT+ and ally graduates!
2020 Lavender Graduation Sponsors:
UT Dallas Alumni Relations
UT Dallas Office of Diversity and Community Engagement
UT Dallas University Career Center
UT Dallas Student Counseling Center
