Students Honored at 2016 Lavender Graduation

Students and their families gathered in the Intersection on the evening of Tuesday, April 19 for Lavender Graduation to celebrate the awarded degrees and accomplishments of graduating LGBTQ+ students.

Talesha Wilson, Ben Vivona, and Mitchel Bell were each given rainbow chords to wear during the university's commencement ceremony in May. This event, sponsored by the UL LGBT Alumni Network, is hosted each spring as a way to lift up students who have played a role in making our campus a better place for LGBTQ+ students though leadership, education, and advocacy. Rainbow chords worn at graduation are a way for students to show pride in their accomplishments while celebrating all parts of their identities. 

Following the celebration, two students were honored at the University of Louisville's Student Life Awards ceremony. Talesha Wilson and Ben Vivona were each awarded the Katy Garrison LGBT Student Leadership Award. Ben and Talesha have shown exemplary leadership skills through their work with the LGBT Center. Recipients of this award have served in an official leadership role either in an LGBT student organization, or as an Intersection Ambassador.