Photograph of three graduates with their certificates of recognition. The image shows three graduates, the one in the middle whith a cap on. They all wear their green graduation robes and purple rainbow-striped stoles. The two on the side hold framed certificates titled "Certificate of Recognition." Lavender Graduation ceremonies have a rich history and began with the first Lavender Graduation at the University of Michigan in 1995. The first Lavender Graduation ceremony was created by Dr. Ronni Sanlo, the Director of the Lesbian and Gay Programs Office at the University of Michigan. Dr. Sanlo, who had been denied admittance to her children’s commencement ceremonies because of her sexuality, realized there were no recognition ceremonies to honor the lives and achievements of Queer and Trans students. With the extra stress and pressure placed upon Queer and Trans college students, Lavender Graduation ceremonies are an important rite of passage that offer recognition and inspiration to students. Lavender Graduation ceremonies are open to all graduates, those within the Queer and Trans communities and their allies. The tradition is continued today at hundreds of institutions across the nation and the Pride Alliance is honored to add UNT’s name to that list.

Photograph of a graduate from the Spring 2018 Lavender Graduation.

Photographs of a graduate from the Spring 2018 Lavender Graduation, held by UNT Special Collections.

Photograph of a graduate from the Spring 2018 Lavender Graduation.

Photograph of a graduate from the Spring 2018 Lavender Graduation.

Photograph of a graduate from the Spring 2018 Lavender Graduation.

Photograph of a graduate from the Spring 2018 Lavender Graduation.

Photograph of a graduate from the Spring 2018 Lavender Graduation.

Photograph of a graduate from the Spring 2018 Lavender Graduation.

Photograph of a graduate from the Spring 2018 Lavender Graduation.

Photograph of a graduate from the Spring 2018 Lavender Graduation.

Photograph of a graduate from the Spring 2018 Lavender Graduation.

Photograph of a graduate from the Spring 2018 Lavender Graduation.

A photograph of the graduation screen from the 2018 Lavender Graduation, held by UNT Special Collections. The photo shows a projected screen with a white background with the words "Lavender Graduation" on it in a lavender color. Under it is a lavender banner with the date "April 28, 2018" on it. Under that is the time and location of the event, and all of this is encircled by an image of lavender plants arranged in a circle. Lavender Graduation ceremonies have a rich history and began with the first Lavender Graduation at the University of Michigan in 1995. The first Lavender Graduation ceremony was created by Dr. Ronni Sanlo, the Director of the Lesbian and Gay Programs Office at the University of Michigan. Dr. Sanlo, who had been denied admittance to her children’s commencement ceremonies because of her sexuality, realized there were no recognition ceremonies to honor the lives and achievements of Queer and Trans students. With the extra stress and pressure placed upon Queer and Trans college students, Lavender Graduation ceremonies are an important rite of passage that offer recognition and inspiration to students. Lavender Graduation ceremonies are open to all graduates, those within the Queer and Trans communities …

A logo for the Asian, Latin, African, and Native American Leadership Council. The names of the people groups are listed across the top in lowercase letters and "leadership council" is across the bottom. An abbreviation of the groups, "ALANA", is centered in the middle in large capital letters. The background is a gradient from light to darker gray and back to light again.

A logo for the Asian, Latin, African, and Native American Leadership Council. The names of the people groups are listed across the top in lowercase letters and "leadership council" is across the bottom. An abbreviation of the groups, "ALANA", is centered in the middle in large capital red letters. The background is a yellow, green, and blue color scale.

A logo for the Asian, Latin, African, and Native American Leadership Council. The "University of North Texas" logo is at the top. The names of the people groups are listed in blue lowercase letters underneath it and "leadership council" is across the bottom in yellow lowercase letters. An abbreviation of the groups, "ALANA", is centered in the middle in large red capital letters. The background is a yellow, green, and blue color scale.

A photograph of two Multicultural Center workers, Andrea and Tracy, sitting at the sign-in table for the first annual APAEC. There is a sign beside them directing registrants and an artwork is hanging behind them.

A photograph of Anita Ahmed at her Breakout Session presentation during the first annual APAEC. The screen behind her shows two women sitting closely and there is a bullet-point list beside them. There are also students sitting in front of her.

A photograph of Anita Ahmed at her Breakout Session presentation during the first annual APAEC. The screen behind her shows a child looking up at cherry blossom branches and Ahmed is speaking from behind a podium and laptop. There are also students sitting at the tables in front of her.

A photograph of Anita Ahmed at her Breakout Session presentation during the first annual APAEC. The screen behind her shows a woman sitting and she is speaking from behind a podium and laptop. There are also students sitting at the tables in front of her.

A photograph of one of the Breakout Sessions' presentation screen at the first annual APAEC. It shows the title slide for the "Change Is Possible!" presentation by Anita A. Ahmed, co-director of UT's APAC. There are students seated at desks in the classroom where it is being presented.

A logo for APAEC9 What Drives You, held by UNT Special Collections. The banner background is dark blue with an orange circle in the bottom left corner then echoing out into orange lines that fade out the closer it gets to the right side. On the right side of the banner are the words "What Drives You?" in dark blue and over the right side are the big letters "APAEC9" in white, with "Asian Pacific American Empowerment Conference" under it in small white letters, and under that the words "What Drives You" in big white letters.

A photograph of the tri-fold poster board for the Asian Student Association at the first annual APAEC. It is red and has the flags of Asian countries around the border and other pictures, news clippings, and certificates in the center.