Lavender Graduation Celebrates Five Students

By Office of the President | May 24, 2023

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Congratulations to the graduating students who participated in Downstate’s 2023 Lavender Graduation ceremony on May 2. The event honors the achievements and contributions of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and ally students (LGBTQIA+) within university communities and occur the week before most comprehensive university-wide commencement events.

Joining the ranks of universities nationwide, SUNY Downstate holds its own Lavender Graduations. This significant ceremony honors and acknowledges the achievements of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and ally students. This annual event brings together the university community to celebrate academic excellence, personal growth, and resilience. SUNY Downstate’s Lavender Graduation is a testament to the University’s dedication to fostering an inclusive and diverse campus environment where every student can thrive and be recognized for his/her unique contributions.

The first Lavender Graduation took place at the University of Michigan in 1995 with just three graduates; today, it has grown into an annual graduation ceremony celebrated on campuses throughout the U.S., with more than 45 colleges and universities hosting Lavender Graduation ceremonies annually.

Downstate’s Lavender Graduation was hosted and supported by the Offices of Institutional Equity, Student Affairs, and Student Life. Five graduating students participated in the ceremony, joined by over 50 students, faculty, and staff.

Carla Boutin-Foster, M.D., MSc, Assistant Vice President for Institutional Equity, gave welcome greetings, Z. Paige Lerario, M.D., Vice Chair of the LGBTQI Section of the American Academy of Neurology, delivered the keynote speech, and Christopher A. J. Roman, Ph.D., Vice Chair of Cell Biology and PRIDE Advisor, provided closing remarks.

We extend congratulations to 2023 Lavender Graduation students Mitchell Bayne, Antia Itzel Gomez, Alexandra Greenberg, Rory Langan, Toan Nguyen, and Elka Jacobson-Dickman, M.D., Associate Dean for Clinical Medicine, Pediatrics, who received the LGBTQ+ Advocacy Award.

Thanks to everyone who coordinated this vital celebration, including Schuyler Hooke, Director of Student Life, 2023 PRIDE E-Board members, Salvatore Volpe, Joya Ahmad, Madhavi Jere, and Julius Wu.