Lavender Graduation Award Winners & Keynote Speakers

Below are the past award winners and keynote speakers for Kent State's annual Lavender Graduation commencement ceremony.

 

Out & Proud Student Leader Award 

An LGBTQ+ identified student who exemplifies student leadership.

  • Tori Swarm, 2013
  • Kyle Dunn, 2015
  • Brandon Stephens, 2016
  • Gabrielle Cooper, 2017
  • Kasey Willener, 2018
  • Bella Bowman, 2019
  • Jacob Dudley and Aaron Kessler, 2020
  • Angela Molina, 2021
  • Marz Anderson, 2022
  • Breanna Cole, 2023
  • Autumn Jacobs, 2024
 

Rising Star Award

First year student who has made tremendous effort to bring visibility, support, and leadership to the LGBTQ+ community at KSU.

  • Willamina Davis, 2013
  • Lucas Lyons, 2015
  • Jordin Manning, 2016
  • Stephen Francis, 2017
  • Sean Short, 2018
  • Cameron Aloway, 2019
  • Graham LaRue Callahan, 2020
  • Mac O’Neil, 2021
  • Olivia Kozlowski, 2022
  • Rachel Kleinhenz, 2023
  • Noah Hite, 2024
 

Bridge Builder Award

Previously known as Outstanding Collaboration Ally until 2020, an ally or student organization that has worked collaboratively with LGBTQ+ organizations on campus to create a better place for LGBTQ+ identified people.

  • Marvin Logan, 2013
  • Mallory Galbreath, 2015
  • Hillel at Kent State University, 2016
  • David Rosen, 2017
  • Career Exploration and Development, 2018
  • Gingy Stypa, 2019
  • Nico Rushh, 2020
  • Chaz Jackson, 2021,
  • United Christian Ministries, 2022
  • The Wick Poetry Center, 2023
  • Undergraduate Student Government, 2024
 

Delores Noll Distinguished Faculty/Staff Award

Awarded to a faculty/staff member who has worked to create a better campus environment for LGBTQ+ identified people.

  • Dr. Molly Merryman, 2015
  • Dr. Cynthia Roller, 2016
  • Dr. Dianne Kerr, 2017
  • AJ Conway, 2018
  • John Hummell, 2019
  • Dr. Jay Sloan, 2020
  • Erica Pelz, 2021
  • Andrew Snyder, 2022
  • Dr. Mahli Mechenbier, 2023
  • Dr. Caitlin Kane, 2024
 

Alumni Award

Awarded to a Kent State alumni who makes efforts to create a better world for LGBTQ+ identified people. 

  • Jeff Bixby, 2018
  • T.J. Horwood, 2019
  • Dr. Lis Regula, 2020
  • Emmett Drugan, 2021
  • Bill Hoover, 2022
  • Dr. David Bender, 2023
  • Dr. Kayla Heddens, 2024
 

Community Impact Award

Awarded to a community member who has worked to create a better environment on campus, in Kent, or in Ohio for LGBTQ+ identified people.

  • Equality Ohio, 2018
  • Shawn Schreckengost, 2019
  • Bobbi Ullinger, 2020,
  • Jacob Nash, 2021
  • Fran Wilson, 2022
  • Main Street Kent, 2023
  • Danielle Schultz, 2024
 

Keynote Addresses

  • 2013 - Dr. Molly Merryman
  • 2014 - Steven Antalvari
  • 2015 - Dr. Dianne Kerr and N.J. Akbar
  • 2016 - Dr. Melody Tankersley 
  • 2017 - Ronni Sanlo
  • 2018 - Tom Serwatka, Alum | Student Keynote: Bridget Mazzola
  • 2019 - President Beverly Warren | Student Keynote: Manny Jackson
  • 2020 - N/A - COVID, not coordinated for this year
  • 2021 - Virtual - Emmett Drugan, Alum
  • 2022 - Brian Michael Smith 05’ | Student Keynote: Alexis Wilson
  • 2023 - Michael Varrati, 05’, 07’ | Student Keynote: Natalia Cruz | Poem Reading: Lana Kuhlenschmidt
  • 2024 - Luz N. Pellot, 92’ | Student: Rowan Marusek