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