Signature Events

Lavender Commencement

Lavender Commencement is a celebration that recognizes LGBTQIAP+ students of all races and ethnicities and acknowledges their achievements and contributions to WPI as students who survived the college experience. Lavender is important to LGBTQ history. It is a combination of the pink triangle that gay men were forced to wear in concentration camps and the black triangle designating lesbians as political prisoners in Nazi Germany.  The LGBTQ civil rights movement took these symbols of hatred and combined them to make symbols and color of pride and community.

Graduating students, including undergraduates and graduates, are invited to take part in the celebration, which occurs each year the week prior to university-wide commencement events.

CONTACT
Location: OASIS Multicultural Center
Phone: 508-831-5796
Fax: 508-831-5818

The Lavender Graduation Ceremony was created by Dr. Ronni Sanlo, a Jewish Lesbian, who was denied the opportunity to attend the graduations of her biological children because of her sexual orientation. It was through this experience that she came to understand the pain felt by her students. Encouraged by the Dean of Students at the University of Michigan, Dr. Sanlo designed the first Lavender Graduation Ceremony in 1995. 

Lavender Commencement Stoles and Cords
Lavender Commencement
Dean Clay at Lavender Commencement
Mia-Kay Fuller at Lavender Commencement
Zoe Reidinger at Lavender Commencement
Graduating Senior and their loved ones at Lavender Commencement

History/Heritage Months

The Office of Diversity, Inclusion, and Multicultural Education collaborates with student organizations and campus partners to celebrate the contributions of our multicultural communities. Our programs strive to recognize and appreciate the identities of our students, faculty, and staff members through education, dialogues, and community building opportunities.

History/Heritage Month Announcements | AY 2022-2023

Outstanding Women Student Awards

These awards, presented by the Division of Student Affairs, the Student Activities Office, and the Office of Diversity of Inclusion, Multicultural Education recognizes women-identified students for their academic excellence, professional goals, and contributions to the WPI community.

The Outstanding Women Student Awards include:

OWSA 2023 Marketing
To apply for these awards, click here