LHU Holds 3rd Annual Lavender Graduation
LOCK HAVEN – On Wednesday April 30th Lock Haven University held its annual Lavender Graduation. Lavender Graduation is an event organized to recognize contributions made by Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Questioning (LGBTQ) identified students, allies, friends and families in Lock Haven. The celebration started with opening remarks from Dr. Rick Schulze, Chair of the President’s Commission on LGBTQ Issues; Mr. Kenneth Hall, Director of the Center for Excellence and Inclusion; and Dr. Michael Fiorentino, Jr., President of Lock Haven University.
The Keynote Address was given by Dr. Craig Young, an Early Childhood and Adolescent Education Professor from Bloomsburg University. Young used “Oh The Places You’ll Go” by Dr. Seuss as the guidepost for his speech. He told the three graduates that “regardless of your sex, gender, identity, expression, or orientation, you’ve got some decisions to make, and it’s important that you are thoughtful.” He encouraged the young graduates, and everyone else in the room that change is good, life is going to change and we can either “adapt to suit your surroundings or you’ll adapt your surroundings to suit you.” Young gave real world advice throughout his entire speech but the underlying theme was clear: “live the life you want to live because it is yours and it is glorious.”
After the Keynote Address, Dr. Tara Mitchell, faculty advisor for Lock Haven’s Gay Straight Alliance, and Dr. Young presented the graduates with their rainbow tassels and certificates. After receiving their certificates and tassels, the graduates were asked to make remarks on their time spent at Lock Haven University. Brittany Duke, a Social Work major, commented on the amazing, supportive friends she made while in school. Stephen Marks, a Psychology major, spoke about his time, saying it helped push him to go to graduate school. Jai Thompson, an Interdisciplinary Studies major decided to read a poem from American poet Langston Hughes.
The event ended with GSA President Megan Penny giving the concluding remarks, stating that the graduates were an inspiration to LGBTQ underclassmen that were making their way through college. The ceremony had an incredible turnout, which proved that the inclusion of LGBTQ students at Lock Haven University is constantly growing.
Lock Haven University is a member of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE), the largest provider of higher education in the commonwealth. Its 14 universities offer more than 250 degree and certificate programs in more than 120 areas of study. Nearly 405,000 system alumni live and work in Pennsylvania.
