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The independent news website of The Kent Stater & KSTV

KentStater

The independent news website of The Kent Stater & KSTV

KentStater

The independent news website of The Kent Stater & KSTV

KentStater

Graduates pose on stage Thursday at the Kent Student Center Ballroom for Lavender Graduation, an annual event honoring the accomplishments of LGBTQ+ graduates.

Lavender Graduation celebrates accomplishments of LGBTQ+ graduates

Aden Graves, Reporter May 3, 2024

Students, staff and families filled the Kent Student Center Ballroom Thursday for Lavender Graduation, an annual event honoring the accomplishments of LGBTQ+ graduates. The LGBTQ+ Center started the...

Kent State graduating senior Austin Brewster says a few words as she takes the stage before receiving her stole during the Lavender Graduation May 5, 2023.

Kent State celebrates LGBTQ+ graduates at Lavender Graduation

Aden Graves, Reporter May 6, 2023

Messages of empowerment, inclusiveness and love filled the Kent Student Center Ballroom Friday for Lavender Graduation, an event honoring and celebrating the accomplishments of LGBTQ+ graduates. Guests...

Attendees began finding their seats as Lavender Graduation was about to begin on May 6, 2022.

Kent State Alumni, actor gives tear-jerking speech at Lavender Graduation

Jesse Khalil, Reporter May 8, 2022

Kent State Alumni and actor Brian Michael Smith stood tall behind the wooden podium as tears rimmed his eyes, “Whoever you want to be, you are the only version of yourself in this world and we need you...

Graduation Q & A

Q&A: Spring commencements and ceremonies

Emma Andrus Reporter April 11, 2021

As the spring 2021 semester comes to a close, celebrations for graduating students are soon to be underway. Kent State announced its plans to host optional in-person commencement ceremonies in an email...

Attendees posing at the 2019 LavGrad ceremony.

LGBTQ+ Center prepares virtual environment for Lavender Graduation

Cameron Aloway Reporter April 6, 2021

During the week of April 26, the LGBTQ+ Center will host its annual Lavender Graduation. The ceremony highlights graduating LGBTQ+ students and allies at Kent State.To accommodate for restrictions due...

Spring 2021 graduates to have in-person commencement ceremonies

Madisyn Woodring Reporter March 18, 2021

Spring graduates from Kent State’s main campus will have the option to attend an outdoor commencement ceremony, according to an email President Todd Diacon sent Thursday. The ceremonies will begin the...

Melissa DeRosa, secretary to New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, conducts a news conference with Cuomo on the COVID-19 pandemic at the National Press Club in Washington D.C., after a meeting with President Trump at the White House on Wednesday, May 27, 2020. 

New York governor’s top aide admits administration delayed the release of Covid-19 deaths in long-term care facilities over federal investigation concerns

Lauren del Valle, CNN February 12, 2021

(CNN) -- New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo's top aide says the administration delayed the release of data on Covid-19 deaths of long-term care facility residents because of concerns about a potential federal...

Kent State’s rating displayed on the Campus Pride Index website. 

Kent State named a top school in LGBTQ+ inclusivity by national organization

Bella Hagey Reporter November 14, 2020

Kent State has been named one of the most LGBTQ+ friendly campuses in the nation, according to Campus Pride, a national nonprofit organization.To evaluate colleges on how LGBTQ+ friendly they are, Campus...

LGBTQ+ Center to hold virtual Lavender Graduation

With the coronavirus pandemic and social distancing measures in place, in-person commencement ceremonies have been postponed as schools across the country wait for further instruction or develop a way...

Spring 2020 commencement will be hosted virtually due to state guidelines

Kent State University announced that the spring 2020 commencement will be virtual in accordance with Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine’s order to avoid large gatherings due to COVID-19.Students, faculty, staff,...

Ken Ditlevson, the director of the LGBTQ Student Center, speaks during the Lavender Graduation ceremony in the Kent State Student Center Ballroom on Friday, April 8, 2016. Lavender graduation is held to honor LGBTQ and Ally students who are graduating in 2016.

Kent State celebrates Lavender Graduation

Nick Garisto April 10, 2016

Kent State LGBTQ-identifying graduates were celebrated Friday night during Lavender Graduation at the Kent Student Center Ballroom.LGBTQ Student Center Director Ken Ditlevson, host for the night, emphasized...