Lavender Celebration honors graduates who are undergraduate, graduate, or professional students at Elon University who have contributed to LGBTQIA inclusion on campus. Each graduate is recognized during the ceremony and receives a stole and certificate of participation.

Lavender Celebration is free to students and funded in part by donations to the Gender and LGBTQIA Center (GLC). To give to the GLC, visit our giving page.

14th Annual Lavender Celebration – May 2026

We are excited for the 14th Annual Lavender Celebration at Elon University in May 2026 with a special event to recognize undergradaute and gradatue students who have made a positive contribution to LGBTQIA inclusion at the institution through their identities, advocacy, allyship, and support. All are invited to participate.

The event details are:

  • Date: Friday, May 8, 2026
  • Ceremony Time: 5:00pm – 6:30pm (Graduates arrive at 4:30pm)
  • Reception: 6:30pm – 7:00pm
  • Location: Alumni Gym, Koury Athletic Center (104 E Haggard Ave, Elon, NC 27244)
  • Graduate Sign Up (CLOSED) email glc@elon.edu with any questions
  • General RSVP for non-graduates (link)

Note: if you are a student who is graduating in December 2026, we will have a Lavender Celebration ceremony for you then, final date TBA.

Event Q&A

I am attending the event, what time should I arrive?

Event Volunteers: arrive at 4:30pm

Graduates: arrive at 4:30pm

General Guests: arrive by 4:50pm as we plan to start promptly at 5pm

Media: media check-in will occur at 4:30pm in the Alumni Gym.

Can I still RSVP for Lavender Celebration?

For graduates: if you are still looking to register for Lavender Celebration, please email glc@elon.edu.

For non-graduates you can RSVP at https://elonlavender2026.eventbrite.com.

What is the agenda or run of show for Lavender Celebration?

05:00 PM: Welcome and History of Lavender Celebration
05:10 PM: Lavender Graduation Awards Presentation
05:20 PM: Honoring Lavender Graduates
06:20 PM: Message from LGBTQIA Alumni Network
06:25 PM: Closing Remarks
06:30 PM: Group Photo with Graduates
06:30 PM: Reception (Dessert bar and beverages)

For more event information, visit https://elonlavender2026.eventbrite.com.

Do I need to print out of my ticket? How do I check-in?

Graduates: you will check in when you walk into the Koury Athletic Center Concourse.

Guests: You do not need to print out your ticket. You will check in by providing your name at the check in table.

How long will the event be?

The event will be from 5:00pm to 7:00pm with the ceremony taking place for the first hour and a reception after.

Where can I park?

For information on where to park visit https://www.elon.edu/u/fa/police/transportation-parking/designated-parking-and-fees/. The closest lot to the Koury Athletic Center (where the event will take place) is the surface lots in the Oaks Neighborhood and the surface lot between the Center for the Arts (McCrary Theatre) and the Koury Athletic Center.

Google Maps link for surface lot in Oaks Neighborhood

Google Maps link for surface lot between Center for the Arts and the Koury Athletic Center

Who can I talk to if I have a question?

Please email glc@elon.edu or call 336-278-6228 Monday through Friday 8am to 5pm

How can I ensure more events like this continue? Can I donate to the GLC?

With Lavender Celebration being fully funded by donations to the GLC, please consider giving. For more information on where to donate and how to stay connected visit www.elon.edu/glc/donate.

I can't attend the event, can I still pick up my stole?

Graduates: yes, you can still pick up your stole! Please pick up your stole anytime on or after Monday, May 11th in the Gender and LGBTQIA Center (Moseley 209) during business hours, Monday through Friday 8am to 5pm.

What is Lavender Celebration?

Lavender Celebration (fka as Lavender Graduation) is an annual ceremony conducted on numerous campuses to honor students who are graduating by acknowledging their achievements in college as well as their contributions to their university. The first Lavender Graduation Ceremony in the U.S. was created by Dr. Ronni Sanlo at the University of Michigan. Many universities hold these type of ceremonies among the list of their university’s commencement ceremonies. For more information, visit here.

At Elon University, any student about to graduate may be honored, including both undergraduate and graduate students.  Students receive a rainbow stole and a certificate.

Why a Lavender Celebration Ceremony?

For decades students at colleges and universities around the country have been celebrating both their academic achievements and their cultural heritages at specialized commencement events. These events provide a sense of community for students who often experience tremendous culture shock at their institutions. Many students find these smaller ceremonies both meaningful and personal.

Lavender Graduation is an event to which LGBTQIA and ally 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.