The Office of Multicultural Student Engagement (OMSE) will host its annual Rainbow Graduation, Awards and Homecoming on Friday, May 4, from 4 to 6 p.m. in the Student Center Building, Hilberry E/F. Just a few days ahead of the university-wide Commencement at Ford Field on May 8, Rainbow Graduation is a more intimate celebration of success and community that honors the achievements of LGBTQIA students, scholars and their allies. To RSVP, click here.

Rainbow Graduation is open to all graduating WSU undergraduate, graduate and professional school students. All graduates will be awarded with a certificate and a rainbow graduation cord that can also be worn during university Commencement events. Graduating seniors from JIGSAW (Joining Intersectionality, Gender, Sexuality and Allies at Wayne); the Gender, Sexuality and Women’s Studies program; and other parts of the university will be celebrated.

“Rainbow Graduation is a unique way to honor the achievements of LGBTQIA students and allies,” said Tom Molina-Duarte, an advisor for student engagement and academic advisor at OMSE. “We want all students — future, current and past — to know that they will always have a Wayne State community they can return to.”

During the celebration, Rainbow Awards will be distributed, honoring students, faculty and staff who have received scholarships and recognition related to gender, sexuality and the LGBTQIA community. Recognized award winners do not need to be graduating students.

Rainbow Graduation also serves as a homecoming for LGBTQAI alumni of Wayne State, and an opportunity to network, reconnect and learn more about the resources for gender diversity and sexuality on our campus. 

This event is made possible by the Dr. Rae Lee Siporin GLBTA Endowment, which was created to help current WSU students and with the hope of reconnecting GLBTA alumni with WSU to make a positive impact. Additional support is provided by the Office of Diversity and Inclusion, the Office of Multicultural Student Engagement, the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, and the WSU Alumni Association.

For more information, contact Tom Molina-Duarte at 313-577-2357 or gf9811@wayne.edu.