At the conclusion of each academic year, the Intercultural and Diversity Center hosts Lavender, a celebration open to all, centered around UB's LGBTQ+ community from all majors, levels of education and backgrounds, who have successfully completed an undergraduate or graduate/professional degree from the University at Buffalo.
Recognizing the challenges that many LGBTQ+ students face on their journey to graduation, the Lavender celebration provides the opportunity for graduating students, family, friends, faculty, administrators, peers, allies, and supporters to embrace each student as they celebrate this important milestone at UB. During the Lavender celebration, graduates receive a rainbow tassel, lavender plant and lavender UB pin.
Friday, May 9, 2025
Time: 3–5 p.m.
Location: UB North Campus, Center for the Arts Drama Theater
Guests and Graduates requiring accommodations: If you or a guest need special accommodations, please email us. We’d be happy to meet with you to determine your needs for the celebration. On the day of the celebration, you can visit the Guest Services kiosk in the Center for the Arts for assistance.
2025 Commencement information is available. Please review this and other important checklist steps on the UB Commencement website.
Contact the Intercultural and Diversity at stu-idc@buffalo.edu 716-645-2434
This tassel is given to students who participate in UB’s Lavender celebration, honoring achievements of graduating students who identify with the LGBTQ+ community.
Co-sponsored by: Office of Inclusive Excellence and Office of Alumni Engagement
Rep. Park Cannon is a Georgia State Representative, one of two openly queer lawmakers in the Georgia General Assembly and its youngest. She represents House District 58 which encompasses a diverse cross-section of Atlanta.
The Democratic lawmaker recently made national headlines when she was unlawfully arrested and removed from the Georgia Capitol after she knocked on the door to the Republican governor’s office during his signing of SB 202, a restrictive law that limits voting rights in the state. Republicans rushed the bill through both chambers of the legislature a few hours before he signed it into law. It has been harshly criticized nationwide for disenfranchising Black voters, is being challenged in court and is being dubbed Jim Crow 2.0.
Rep. Cannon champions a range of social justice causes and her legislative efforts focus on education, jobs, and health care. Rep. Cannon seeks to stop the erosion of affordability for basic needs which she believes are the foundations of social stability. She also devotes her legislative work to protecting Georgia’s most vulnerable citizens: women and children, the elderly and the LGBTQ+ community. She has worked to address maternal mortality rates and the HIV epidemic in Georgia, housing affordability and extending protections to victims of family violence and sexual assault.
Rep. Cannon attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Hispanic Linguistics and a Bachelor of Arts in Linguistics, and minored in Women’s and Gender Studies. During her time at UNC Chapel Hill, Rep. Cannon was named a Camões Award Recipient and inducted into the Order of The Old Well. She also participated in the Harvard Kennedy School of Government’s Executive Education State and Local Government program. She was named by the Harvard Kennedy School (HKS) as a Bohnett LGBTQ Leaders Fellow and studied police accountability.
Rep. Cannon has been honored for her service to numerous organizations including SisterSong, the Georgia Legislative Black Caucus, NOBEL Women, the League of Women Voters, National Black Caucus of State Legislators (NBCSL), and the Atlanta NAACP. She was named a CALS Fellow and Henry Toll Fellow by the Council of State Governments and also participated in the Atlanta Regional Commission’s Leadership Institute.
Memory Slideshow:
This award honors an LGBTQ+ faculty or staff member, who is highly dedicated to fostering a positive, inclusive, climate on campus for LGBTQ+ individuals This may include inclusive curriculum practices, advocating for policy changes, raising awareness through programming or educational initiatives, or going above and beyond to ensure that the UB community has a brave and supportive space to fully express their authentic selves.
2024 - Ben Fabian
2024 - Emma Fabian - Evergreen Health
2023 - Da'Shun Harrison - Author
2022 - Rachel Parino - Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center
2021 - Danielle Johnson - Daniel Ackers Scholars Program
2020 - no ceremony
2019 - Rev. Christopher Goodwin - MOCHA Center Rochester
2018 - Justin Azzarella - Evergreen Health
2017 - Dale Bauman - embraceWNY
2016 - Matthew Crehan Higgins- Pride Center of WNY
2015 - Margaret Sallee - Graduate School of Education
2014 - Kiera Duckworth - PhD Student in Sociology at UB
2013 - Jeffrey Platt - embraceWNY
2012 - Jonathan Katz - College of Arts and Sciences
2011 - Danielle Johnson - Daniel Ackers Scholars Program
2010 - Dr. Theresa Miklitsch - School of Engineering and Applied Sciences
2009 - Marvin Henchbarger - Gay and Lesbian Youth Services
2008 - Dr. Amy Reynolds - Graduate School of Education
2007 - Dr. Sherri Darrow - Wellness Education Services
During the Lavender Celebration, the Pride Scholarship is awarded by the University at Buffalo’s LGBTQ+ Faculty and Staff Association to a student who demonstrates academic success, financial needs, and a commitment to LGBTQ advocacy or education.
To learn more about your respective academic department's ceremony, please visit: .
Intercultural and Diversity Center
Student Life
University at Buffalo
240 Student Union, North Campus
Buffalo, NY 14260
Phone: (716) 645-2434