As the Commencement Week of Saint Mary’s College offers one last farewell to the Class of 2026, students gather in celebration of not only their degrees but in personal identity. The Lavender Graduation Celebration invites students who identify with the LGBTQ+ community to embrace their journey at the College.
Eli Williams, assistant director of the LGBTQ+ Center and visiting assistant professor of gender and women’s studies, leads the celebration in its second year at Saint Mary’s.
Lavender celebrations occur on university and college campuses across the nation, representing a reclamation of identity. The use of the word lavender previously came from the phrase “lavender menace,” which stemmed from 20th-century feminist circles, who used the saying as an insult against women who identified as lesbian or gay. Today, the term has transformed into a symbol of solidarity for those within the LGBTQ+ community.
Williams said Adrianna Petty, director of Multicultural & International Student Services, provided great support in planning and creating the event.
“I feel very blessed and lucky to have a mentor in her to learn how to create a meaningful celebration,” Williams said.
Highlighting the impact the celebration has made, Williams reflected on her own experience as a member of the LGBTQ+ community and graduate of Smith College, a fellow all-women’s institution.
“This is really personal work for me, and it always has been. I think that LGBT+ identities and individuals should be celebrated and should be out in the open and should be proud of who they are, because diversity enriches our entire community,” Williams said.
This meaning is upheld in their mission statement, as Williams said, “Our goal is to help LGBTQ+ students feel supported, empowered and cherished in their college community and future lives.”
Providing insights to the program agenda and what graduates and attendees should expect, William noted that President Katie Conboy will provide an opening address, followed by a student speaker who has not been revealed yet.
Williams highlighted the attendance of keynote speaker Lety Stanton-Verduzco ’04.
“She’s local, and we’re very excited for her,” Williams said.
After graduating with a degree in creative writing, Stanton-Verduzco spent the next two years working on campus in the Center for Women’s Intercultural Leadership as the assistant director of community connections, and has spent the last two decades in youth work, serving as a bilingual specialist for the South Bend Community School Corporation and with the Boys & Girls Club in varying roles.
As the celebration continues to grow from last year, Williams highlighted changes that would be happening to the program with a new Ally of the Year award. “This Year, we are presenting an Ally of the Year award that is going to go to two faculty members,” Williams said.
Alongside these honors, student participants will receive rainbow cords and dried lavender from the LGBTQ+ alumnae affinity group, Pride SMC.
As the two prepare for the celebration, they recognize the historic breakthrough that the Lavender Graduation Celebration has brought to campus.
“How special it is that they’re actually experiencing something. And three years ago, that wasn’t an option,” Petty said.
Williams added highlighting that they are making history through the organization of this event — an important perspective to be grounded on while planning.
“I think sometimes we get caught up in the grind, and we don’t realize that we’re making history in these celebrations. Last year was our very first one, but the whole theme of that ceremony was like, we’ve been here since 1844, right?” Williams said.
Expected to be in attendance are 28 graduating seniors with attendees composed of friends, family and supportive faculty.
The celebration is set to take place Thursday, May 14, 2026, in the Little Theater in Moreau Center for the Arts.
