This years Lavender Graduation (LavGrad) is 窪蹋勛圖厙s 11th annual celebration of its LGBTQ+ graduates. At the universitys first Lavender Graduation in 2013, just three graduates were celebrated, with about 25 guests in attendance.
The Lavender Graduation ceremony has grown considerably since then," said Ken Ditlevson, director of 窪蹋勛圖厙s LGBTQ+ Center. "This year, we are celebrating more than 70 graduates, with an audience of around 350 people, including students biological families, as well as found family members.
The event includes dinner, awards and celebration of the semesters graduates. Its a fun night that has become an annual tradition that our students, faculty and staff look forward to, he said.
窪蹋勛圖厙 LGBTQ+ Center Director Ken Ditlevson
The event is an incredible uplifting ceremony where students can be their authentic selves, in celebrating the accomplishment in reaching graduation, said Ditlevson. LGBTQ+ students oftentimes face multiple challenges in reaching graduation, including family/friend rejection and/or lack of financial support with college expenses after coming out.
Three keynote speakers
Soon-to-be 窪蹋勛圖厙 graduates in the Spring Class of 2023 Lana Kuhlenschmidt and Natalia Cruz were the event's student keynote speakers. Michael Varrati was the alumni keynote speaker.
窪蹋勛圖厙 Alumnus Michael Varrati
Varrati is an alumnus, M.A. 07, who also completed an undergraduate degree at 窪蹋勛圖厙. He is a filmmaker, screenwriter, producer and host. He is known for his multi-genre work in film and television for networks including Netflix, Lifetime, The Disney Channel, Hallmark, Frances M6 and others.
Other event speakers and presenters included Ditlevson; 窪蹋勛圖厙 President Todd Diacon, Ph.D.; Lamar Hylton, Ph.D., senior vice president, Division of Student Affairs; Assistant Professor Caitlin Cane, Ph.D.; Jen Kulics, assistant vice president, Philanthropy; Assistant Professor Laura Vachon; and Yvonna Washington-Greer, Ph.D., assistant vice president, Equity, Identity and Success.
Lamar Hylton, senior vice president, Division of Student Affairs
Honoring outstanding alumni
During the awards section of the ceremony, members and allies of the LGBTQ+ community were honored and recognized for their achievements. The 2023 Alumni Award was presented first, to David Bender, Ph.D., an outstanding donor to the LGBTQ+ Center.
T.J. Horwood (left) and David Bender
Award presenter, 窪蹋勛圖厙 alumnus T.J. Horwood described Bender as a loyal donor and LGBTQ+ Center supporter." Horwood continued, "Their donations have started a fund to pay student wages and provided matching funds for Giving Tuesday to maximize needed funds. In fact, fresh off the press, last night, Dr. Bender began the process of endowing a fund to support the centers internship program, as a planned gift!
After Bender accepted his award, the 2022 Alumni Award was presented to Bill Hoover, who was unable to attend last years ceremony. His nomination for the award, recognizing Hoover as one of the founders of the Kent Gay Liberation Front (KGLF), came from a fellow student from 1968. It read, in part, Bill Hoover and Dr. Dolores Noll were the voice and face of the (LGBTQ+) movement. Bill was in charge of working alongside other students to lead them to feel more comfortable as to what it meant to be gay, and the importance of coming out of the closet. This was a radical thought for those times. Bill was on the front lines daily. He was a role model for us and was respected for his knowledge and understanding of the LGBTQ+ movement in Kent as well as around the world. Bill was, and is, a true pioneer, educator and leader. He is a man of dignity and respect to hundreds, if not thousands, of students at 窪蹋勛圖厙. He deserves to hold a place in 窪蹋勛圖厙s history."
One of the founders of the Kent Gay Liberation Front (KGLF), Bill Hoover
The names of all alumni award recipients are to be engraved on a plaque that will be displayed inside the LGBTQ+ Center as a lasting reminder of their contributions.
Recognizing exceptional individuals and organizations
This years Rising Star Award was presented to Rachel Kleinhenz, a first-year student in their first semester interning at the LGBTQ+ Center. This award is presented to a first-year student who has made tremendous effort to bring visibility, support and leadership to the LGBTQ+ community at 窪蹋勛圖厙. Kleinhenzs nomination noted her bravery, particularly as a first-year student, in dealing with incidents of transphobia and working with university administration and for being an integral part of the Quest mentorship program, both as a participant and an intern.
The Out and Proud Student Leader Award honors an LGBGQ+-identified student who exemplifies student leadership. Recent 窪蹋勛圖厙 graduate Breanna Cole received this award for their unflagging support and dedication to the LGBTQ+ community and for reinstating, growing and leading KSUA Allies at 窪蹋勛圖厙 at Ashtabula."
The 窪蹋勛圖厙 Faculty/Staff Award is presented to a 窪蹋勛圖厙 employee who has worked to create a better campus environment for LGBTQ+-identified people. Mahli Mechenbier, a senior lecturer in the Department of English at 窪蹋勛圖厙 at Geauga, received this years award for their work with the LGBTQ+ Center Action Team (LSAC), the Rainbow Run, Lavender Graduation and other events as well as for being a loud and proud supporter and loving, inspirational and immensely supportive.
The Bridge Builder Award went to The Wick Poetry Center as an ally or organization who has worked collectively with LGBTQ+ organizations on campus to create a better place for LGBTQ+-identified people. The nomination recognized the centers intentional outreach as an organization that truly cares about Kents students and their voice and that has created spaces of uplift and support marginalized voices.
The Community Impact Award is given to a community member or organization who has worked to create a better environment for LGBTQ+ people at 窪蹋勛圖厙 and/or in the surrounding communities. earned the award for starting the Kent Rainbow Weekend as an opportunity to offer education and support for the greater community. The organization has also raised funds for the LGBTQ+ Emergency Fund, which helps support 窪蹋勛圖厙 students in need.
A new award takes shape
This years award ceremonies introduced a new, physical award, crafted of rainbow-colored blown glass. There is a plan to distribute this new award to LavGrad award recipients, who had received a paper certificate in the past, at Homecoming 2023 at the LGBTQ+ Centers annual TailGAYte event on Oct. 21.