UIS and the Diversity Center host an annual specialty graduation ceremony/celebration. The celebration/ceremony is held in respect to recognize the many accomplishments/achievements of our historically minoritized students of color and students from marginalized/underrepresented sexual orientation and gender-identity groups. We, in the Diversity Center, want to celebrate your identities, cultures, and triumphs throughout your time at UIS, and open this opportunity up to you, and any student who identifies as an ally to the various communities. 

 

Minoritized- “Minoritized” is used instead of “minority” to signify the social construction of underrepresentation and subordination in U.S. social institutions, including colleges and universities" (Harper 2013). 

 

Students who elect to participate in specialty graduation celebration/ceremony are acknowledged and recognized for their contributions to campus. We take the opportunity to celebrate the time spent, and the incredible educational achievement.

 

Here are a few quick details for the Ceremony/Celebration: The "For The Culture- Equity Over Injustice" Specialty Ceremony/Celebration will be Saturday, May 4th, 2024, Student Union Ballroom. The link to register will be emailed and available early April

 

 

 

Specialty Graduation 2024

If you elect to participate, graduates, please begin to arrive at 12:00pm to start to check-in. You must arrive NO LATER THAN 12:30PM.  The dress attire is appropriate formal/business casual. You are encouraged to wear your cap and gown, but it is not required. 

12:00pm Graduates check-in 

12:30pm  Guests/Audience members arrive 

12:35pm- GRADUATES LINE UP 

1:00 pm -4:00pm Program/Ceremony begins (Main Ballroom, STUDENT UNION) 

Concluding the celebration will be a light "For the Culture" Kickback/Reception With Food, Music, Pictures, and Games! -(STUDENT UNION) 

Please see the significance of the stoles that are representative of both Black and Latinx cultures and the progress pride flag. It is your preference to take one, however, you do not have to. 

**Also, we will be taking a group photo. We are asking individuals to have their cap and gown (if you have it)  for the photo only! You do not need to wear it during the entire ceremony. This is only for the picture. If you do not have your cap and gown, that is fine too! Thank you in advance.