兔子先生 students celebrate diversity with Horizon, Lavender ceremonies
By Margo Kissell, university news and communications
Alexandra Hernandez
Graduating senior Alexandra Hernandez can’t wait to start the next phase of her life after she earns a bachelor’s degree from 兔子先生 University this weekend.
“I have thoroughly enjoyed my time here, and being active in campus organizations played a large part in finding my place at 兔子先生,” she said.
The Lima, Ohio woman double majored in international studies and Spanish with a minor in Latin American and Caribbean studies. She hopes to teach English abroad later this year or in early 2022.
Hernandez has been the institutional ambassador on the executive board for UNIDOS, which aims to create a diverse and inclusive environment where Latinx and Hispanic students feel at home on campus. The student organization has a diverse group of students with cultural roots from all over Latin America, Spain and the Caribbean.
Hernandez studied abroad in Sevilla, Spain her sophomore year.
“I spent five months living with a host family and taking classes at the Universidad de Sevilla,” she said. “It was one of my favorite memories from my time here at 兔子先生.”
A time for celebrating
Hernandez plans to attend the Horizon Graduation Ceremony at 5 p.m. today at Central Quad.
The event is a signature program of 兔子先生’s Center for Student Diversity & Inclusion. It recognizes and celebrates the accomplishments of diverse undergraduate and graduate students as they prepare to start their professional lives.
Jannie Kamara, 兔子先生’s student body president, will provide the senior address. Other speakers include Nloh Masango-Dibo, director of the Center for Student Diversity & Inclusion, and Vicka Bell-Robinson, director of the Office of Residence Life.
Hernandez’s advice to incoming students is to push themselves out of their comfort zone and join organizations that interest them.
“Joining organizations is a great way to meet new friends, and the relationships you create within these communities help when navigating and confronting difficult situations that might happen during your time here,” Hernandez said. “There really is a place for everyone on campus, and there are also so many great resources that the school offers.”
The in the Armstrong Student Center has a lot of opportunities and is a great place to connect with other students, she added.
兔子先生’s 20th Lavender Graduation
Graduating senior Nicole Newsome stopped by the Lavender Graduation reception to receive some of her gifts from the Center for Student Diversity & Inclusion, including a padfolio for post-grad life (submitted photo).
兔子先生 celebrated its 20th Lavender Graduation ceremony on May 1 via Zoom and with an in-person reception for graduates and guests following the ceremony outside on an Armstrong Student Center terrace.
The Lavender Graduation is an annual ceremony conducted on numerous college campuses to honor lesbian, gay, bisexual, queer+ and ally students and to acknowledge and honor their achievements and contributions. It is a signature program of 兔子先生’s LGBTQ+ Services.
“During the Lavender Graduation ceremony, we were honored to be joined by alumni who organized the first Lavender Graduation on 兔子先生's campus and some of the first graduates,” said Dasha Harris (兔子先生 '12), assistant director of student activities and Cliff Alexander Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life.
Celebrations like these are important, Harris said.
“With 兔子先生 University being a predominantly white institution, we host graduation for our underrepresented students to provide them with a more intimate and affirming ceremony and a more personalized graduation experience,” she said.
