CSULB's 5th Annual Lavender Graduation Ceremony

CSULB’s 5^th Annual Lavender Graduation ceremony was held in one of the University Student Union ballrooms on Monday, May 23^rd from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm. Henry F. Fradella, J.D., Ph.D. was this year’s Master of Ceremony and explained that, since its founding at the University of Michigan in 1995, Lavender Graduation remains an opportunity to recognize the LGBTQ community’s “unique cultural contributions to the university community.”

The ceremony included speeches from many distinguished guests: Dr. Kenneth I. Millar, Dean of the College of Health and Human Services; Dr. Gerry Riposa, Dean of the College of Liberal Arts; Dr. Cecile Lindsay, Vice Provost for Academic Affairs and the Dean of Graduate Studies; Dr. Elena Macias, Special Assistant to the University President, Government, Legislative, and Community Relations; Dr. Jeane Relleve Caveness, Assistant Dean of Students and the Director of the Women’s Resource Center; and Long Beach Lesbian and Gay Pride, Inc. representatives Todd Turley and Vanessa Romain.

The procession of graduates began after the speeches. In addition to announcing the name of each graduate, Fradella read short, celebratory notes that the graduates prepared for the ceremony. The messages communicated by these notes echoed the theme of this year’s Lavender Graduation ceremony: “Perseverance – Looking Back, Moving Forward.” Graduates reflected on their past experiences at CSULB as well as celebrated their futures. A small reception followed the ceremony.