The Center for Multicultural Services collaborates with individuals from numerous departments to coordinate culturally-based graduation celebration ceremonies that complement the university’s commencement ceremonies. The cultural celebrations DO NOT replace the formal graduation commencement ceremonies. These cultural celebrations acknowledge and celebrate the achievements of La Verne students and highlight the accomplishments of individuals within the student’s familial and cultural context.
The May 2024 Multicultural Graduation Celebration(s) will consist of the following:
Inclusive of all Affinity Groups
Saturday, May 18, 2024
9:30-12:30am (doors of the Sports Science Pavilion open at 8:30am)
One Multicultural Graduation Celebration will be offered. The availability to participate will be on a first-come, first-served basis. Once capacity is reached, students will be put onto a waiting list.
There are no entry tickets required. However, seating for guests will be on a first-come, first-served basis, with overflow seating available in the Campus Center Ballrooms via live telecast.
Formal sign-up will be done via the Commencement link. This link will be sent by the Commencement Office directly to all students who are cleared for graduation.
Every student who wishes to participate is asked to submit a 200-character statement (approximately 30 words) with the following prompt: What do you want to express to those who have supported you in your academic journey? You can begin to think about this question before you register via the Commencement link that will be sent to you by the Commencement Office. This statement can be written in the language of preference or bilingually (keep the character count in mind).
The registration deadline for the Spring 2024 Multicultural Graduation Celebration is Thursday, April 25, 2024 at 5:00pm PST.
Graduation Sashes
The cultural graduation sashes can be purchased through the University of La Verne Campus Store. The sash options* students can purchase include the following:
- Black/Kente cultural sash
- Latinx/Recuerdo cultural sash
- Middle Eastern/Arabic cultural sash
- Multicultural/Unity in Diversity cultural sash
- Native American/Indigenous cultural sash
- Pacific Islander/Asian American cultural sash
- Rainbow/Lavender cultural sash
- Serape cultural sash
At present, face masks are not required during the in-person cultural graduation celebration(s). At the time of the celebration, students will bring their own sash, and while on stage, the sash bestower will bestow it on the participating student. Each student will in turn read to those present their 35-word statement of appreciation to those who have supported them in their academic journey. Each celebration becomes a personalized experience for the student, their family, and friends. No tickets are required for entry.
Students wishing to participate in Spring 2024 must be cleared for graduation. The Commencement Office will send the registration link to all who are cleared for graduation.
For the multicultural graduation celebrations, students will wear their cap and gown, but not their academic hood. The La Verne cultural sashes can be purchased through the Campus Bookstore.
Photo Galleries
Click on the following Flickr links to view photos from previous cultural celebrations:
| May 2021 | Multicultural Graduation Celebration |
| January 2018 | Multicultural Graduation Celebration |
| May 2017 | Rainbow Grad |
| May 2017 | Pacific Islander/Asian American Grad |
| May 2017 | Latina/o Grad |
| May 2017 | Black/African American Grad |
| January 2017 | Multicultural Graduation Celebration |
For more information, please contact Dr. Daniel Loera, Director of Multicultural Affairs, or Alesha Knox, Associate Director of Multicultural Affairs & Black Student Services, or come by the Center for Multicultural Services located on the second floor of the Ludwick Center for Spirituality, Cultural Understanding, and Community Engagement.
* All sashes must be approved through the Commencement Office.