2026 Lavender & Multicultural Stoling Celebrations

Lavender Celebration is a cultural celebration that recognizes LGBTQIA+ students of all races and ethnicities and acknowledges their achievements and contributions as Albion College graduates. Through such recognition, LGBTQIA+ students may leave the university with a positive last experience of the institution thereby encouraging them to become involved mentors for current students as well as financially contributing alumni.

The Lavender Celebration is an event to which LGBTQIA+ students look forward, where they not only share their hopes and dreams with one another, but where they are officially recognized by the institution for their leadership and their successes and achievements.

Lavender is important to LGBTQIA+ 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 LGBTQIA+ civil rights movement took these symbols of hatred and combined them to make symbols and color of pride and community.

The History of the Lavender Celebration

The Lavender Celebration 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. The first Lavender Graduation began at the University of Michigan in 1995, with three graduates. By 2001, there were over 45 Lavender Graduation Ceremonies at Colleges and Universities nationwide. Graduating students are invited to take part in the celebration, which will occur each year the week prior to college-wide commencement events.

The Kente Stoles represent the pride of perseverance, the honor of the accomplishment, and the importance of remembering your roots. They are embroidered with the ram’s horn, symbolizing humility, strength, wisdom and learning of our many Black graduates who proudly represent the African American culture in the larger community of Albion College.

The History of the Kente Cloth

Made by the Asante people of Ghana and Ewe of Ghana and Togo, this colorful cloth was traditionally used in trade with Europeans in the 15th and 16th centuries. Only men produce the Kente cloth’s narrow band weave, which are 2 1⁄2 to 4 1⁄2 inches wide. And among the Asante and Ewe, the art passed down from uncle to nephew, from father to son, generation to generation. Traditionally, among the Asante the woven Kente cloth is used to indicate a person’s status in the tribe or village. Among the Ewe people, the Kente was given and worn to indicate a certain rite of passage, occupation, or social position. Thus today, we use the cloth to honor those seniors who have distinguished themselves by completing the rite of passage.

International Student Stoles honor the courage it takes to build a life across borders and celebrate the journeys, identities, and achievements of Albion College graduates from around the world. Each stole displays both Albion’s purple & gold and the graduate’s home country flag symbolizing the inspiring work of living between places: rooted in their culture and grafted into the Briton community. Worn at Commencement, these stoles celebrate the perseverance, brilliance, and global perspectives international students bring to their communities – affirming that global perspectives are essential to the larger story of Albion College.

The History of International Student Stoles

International Student Stoles are a meaningful commencement tradition that beautifully illustrates the global diversity of our campus community. Worn proudly over graduation robes, these vibrant sashes – often displaying the flag or colors of a student’s home country – are far more than just decorative accessories, they serve as a powerful visual testament to the courage and resilience required to pursue higher education far from home, bridging the gap between a student’s cultural heritage and their academic achievements. For the graduate, the International Student Stole is a deeply personal badge of honor that celebrates their unique journey, their family’s support, and the sacrifices made along the way.

While a recognized symbol of Latinx culture, the Office of Campus Life selected the serape for the sashes as a tribute to the hard work of our Latinx students as they reach graduation. The variety of colors across the sashes is intended to honor the rich cultural diversity of our many graduates who proudly represent multiple nationalities in the larger community of Albion College.

The History of the Serape

When Cortez arrived on Mexico’s shores in 1519, the Aztecs were already wearing a blanket-type garment, the serape. The Spanish influenced the weavings by introducing the pedal loom and domesticated sheep and wool. Worn only by men, serapes were the counterpart of the rebozos and huipiles worn by women. Serapes were the typical garment of workers, horsemen, and townsfolk alike. Serapes were worn over the shoulder by aristocrats, used as a blanket by cowboys, covered walls or beds in homes, or were spread out on the ground at markets to display wares. Serapes are exquisite works of art, each piece the result of months of work by talented weaving families.

2026 Annual Hispanic/Latino Statewide Post-Secondary Graduation Ceremony

In addition to the La Cosecha Latinx Stoling Celebration at Albion College, we will be attending the Annual Hispanic/Latino Statewide Post-Secondary Graduation Ceremony that will be hosted at the Michigan Library & Historical Center in Lansing on April 10 at 7 PM.

Albion College will provide transportation to all graduates who register to attend, departing from Ferguson parking lot on April 10th at 5 PM.

The ceremony is to celebrate the achievements of Hispanic/Latino college and university graduates from across the state. Our goal is to recognize the efforts made by these students, while also acknowledging the support given by their families, fellow students, faculty, and administrators who helped in achieving this very important milestone.

We ask that all graduates wear their cap and gown. It is not mandatory, but we encourage caps and gowns if possible.

Please register for this free event via the QR Code below: