Graduation Celebration
Graduation Celebration is an annual event where graduating seniors from historically under-represented populations are recognized for their achievements and upcoming graduation. All participants receive an IDEAS Center cord. Students are also recognized by their affiliated organizations and each organization provides seniors with their organizational graduation regalia.
During this celebration, a faculty and staff member are also recognized for their intentional support of systemically marginalized students through the IDEAS Excellence award and the Leaving a Legacy award. Seniors are also awarded for one of three awards and are presented during this celebration.
- Leave Your Mark Award: The student exhibits strong leadership qualities, someone who has done something that’s bigger than themselves that will still be here after they are gone. This senior has developed some form of programming that will continue on after they have left the institution. Their mark will be recognized through the work they have done to make Allegheny a better campus.
- Inclusive Excellence Award: Through action or behavior, this student exemplifies Inclusive Excellence by recognizing the intersectionality students face and creates a positive environment in which students that are systemically marginalized can feel welcome. This student recognizes that adversity is a word all under-represented students can resonate with and makes an impact on changing the narrative for under-resourced students at Allegheny.
- Perseverance Award: This student has overcome adversity (either personal or academic) and has excelled to a point where their college career has had significant impact on their life and the lives of others.