Cultural Graduate Celebrations

For many first generation, historically underrepresented, or traditionally marginalized students, a college diploma signifies success not only for themselves but also for their family. The Intercultural Center recognizes the importance of this milestone by offering a more intimate ceremony for the following student groups: Asian Pacific American, Black, Latino, and Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Questioning/Queer, Intersex, and Allies (LGBTQIA).

In comparison to the campus-wide Commencement Ceremony, the cultural graduate celebrations provide a personal setting for students to share the challenges and triumphs of their college journey with family, friends, and the Saint Mary's community. Students have the opportunity to publicly acknowledge the people who helped them reach their goals.  They may also select one or two special people to present them with their graduation sash or tassel during the celebration.

Events like these often unite members of the community to support one another and to validate the different experiences and paths that lead to academic success.  Any graduating Saint Mary’s student who self-identifies or feels a close connection to any one of these student populations is welcome to participate.  As meaningful as the cultural graduate celebrations are to the individual, these ceremonies also symbolize the importance of breaking barriers within higher education for historically underrepresented or traditionally marginalized groups.

• 7th Annual Lavender Graduate Celebration
  Thursday, May 16, 2013 at 5:00pm
  Hagerty Lounge
• 12th Annual Asian Pacific American Graduate Celebration
  Saturday, May 18, 2013 at 2:00pm
  Hagerty Lounge
• 18th Annual Black Graduate Celebration
  Thursday, May 23, 2013 at 6:00 p.m.
  Soda Activity Center
• 16th Annual Latino Graduate Celebration
  Friday, May 24, 2013 at 9:00am
  Chapel (Reception to follow in Oliver Hall)

Registration will be available at www.stmarys-ca.edu/IC starting
March 1, 2013. For more information, please stop by the Intercultural Center’s table at  GradFair in the Soda Center in March or call (925) 631-8545.

To participate in one of these celebrations, interested participants must register online at www.stmarys-ca.edu/IC

Participants may purchase graduation sashes and announcements through the Intercultural Center. Forms of payment include paying online with a credit card or e-check or EXACT CASH and CHECKS made out to "Saint Mary's College of California." NO CHANGE WILL BE PROVIDED TO THOSE THAT PAY AT THE IC. If purchasing a sash or announcements, submit payment in full to the Intercultural Center before 4:30 p.m. on April 10, 2012.

There is no fee to participate in any of the ceremonies.