Cultural Graduation Celebrations
For many first generation and underrepresented students, a college diploma signifies success not only for themselves but also for their family. The Delphine 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 LGBTQIA.
In comparison to the campus-wide Commencement Ceremony, the cultural graduation 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 are given the opportunity to publicly acknowledge the people who helped them reach their goals. They may also select a special person from the audience to present them with their sash.
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 SMC 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 graduation celebrations are to the individual, these ceremonies also symbolize the importance of breaking barriers within higher education for traditionally marginalized groups.
