UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Penn State student organizations and Student Affairs will host four affinity graduations and celebrations to recognize and celebrate the achievements of graduates from historically marginalized and underrepresented communities.
Lavender graduation, the APIDA Heritage Festival, Latinx graduation and Black graduation will occur in mid-to-late April.
Affinity graduations are open to all students regardless of sex, gender, sexual orientation, race, or any other protected class. Any interested student is invited to participate and register to celebrate their accomplishments.
Lavender Graduation — April 12
Hosted by the Center for Sexual and Gender Diversity, the 23rd annual Lavender Graduation will be held at 6 p.m. Friday, April 12, in Heritage Hall in the HUB-Robeson Center.
Lavender Graduation is an annual ceremony conducted on numerous campuses to honor and acknowledge lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, asexual and ally graduating students and to recognize their achievements and contributions to Penn State.
Graduating students from any Penn State campus, including undergraduates and graduates, are invited to participate in the celebration. Register for Lavender Graduation online. Students participating in the ceremony will receive a stole, tassel and certificate.
APIDA Heritage Festival — April 20
Join Penn State's Asian Pacific Islander Desi American (APIDA) Caucus and State College's PanAPIDA Circle in downtown State College for the second annual APIDA Heritage Festival. On April 20 from 3 to 8 p.m., embrace and celebrate the APIDA community in a night market-themed event with food, music and live performances. Visit the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Plaza in downtown State College to honor APIDA Heritage Month and celebrate students earning their degrees. This event is sponsored by State College Borough and the Paul Robeson Cultural Center. No registration is required.
Latinx Graduation — April 27
Latino Caucus will host the fourth annual Penn State Latinx Graduation ceremony/recognition at 5 p.m. April 27 in Heritage Hall in the HUB-Robeson Center. Students graduating in spring 2024 or fall 2024 can participate in the ceremony and receive graduation stoles. Light food and refreshments will be served. This event is hosted by the Paul Robeson Cultural Center. Register for the Latinx Graduation by April 19.
"I am honored to host the 2024 Latinx graduation ceremony. It is the one time of year that we can highlight Latinx graduates' achievements while empowering younger Latinx students to continue pursuing their academic and professional goals," said Yanira Santillan, a fourth-year kinesiology major. "As one of the smaller communities at Penn State, visibility and representation play a key role in our efforts to inspire future generations of Latinx scholars."
Black Graduation — April 30
The Penn State Black Caucus will host the spring 2024 Hakkille Robing Ceremony (Black Graduation) to recognize the achievements of people in the Black diaspora. The ceremony will be held at 6 p.m. April 30 in Heritage Hall. Undergraduate and graduate students must register to attend by April 19. Graduation stoles and light refreshments will be provided. This event is sponsored by the Paul Robeson Cultural Center.
Visit the Student Affairs website for more information on affinity graduations.