Previous Award Recipients
Learn about previous Lavender Celebration award winners.
Commencement Celebration
USC’s Commencement Celebration Hosted by the LGBTQ+ Student Center and Lambda LGBTQ+ Alumni Association is the campus’ annual celebration for graduating undergraduate and graduate/professional students highlighting LGBTQ+ culture. The Commencement Celebration honors students and commemorates their contributions to the University community while also celebrating their unique lived experiences.
Following an in-person celebration, there is a reception with food and refreshments for everyone. Registration for the Commencement Celebration is open to all graduating students and the event is open to all USC community members to attend.
This program is open to all eligible individuals. The LGBTQ+SC operates all of its programs and activities consistent with the University’s Notice of Non-Discrimination. Eligibility is not determined based on race, sex, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or any other prohibited factor.
The 2025 Commencement Celebration Hosted by the LGBTQ+SC and Lambda will be held Thursday, May 15th, 10-11:30am in the TCC Ballroom. The post-reception hosted by the Lambda LGBTQ+ Alumni Association will be located on the Moreton Fig patio beginning at 11:30am.
Graduate Registration | Guest RSVP | Post-Reception Registration
If you have any questions about this year’s Commencement Celebration, please email lgbtqplus@usc.edu.
Celebrate With Us
The Commencement Celebration honoring 2025 graduates will be held Thursday, May 15, 10-11:30am in the TCC Ballroom on USC’s UPC Campus. The Lambda Alumni Post-Reception will begin at 11:30am at the Moreton Fig patio.
RegisterGuest RSVPLavender Recognition Awards
Each year, the Lavender Celebration Planning Committee gives awards in 4 categories to recognize the students, faculty/staff, campus departments, and student organizations who have had a meaningful impact of LGBTQ+ student life or shown exemplary leadership in and for LGBTQ+ communities at USC. Nominations are due Friday, March 14th, 2025.
Outstanding Undergraduate LGBTQ+ Leadership and Service Award
This award(s) is presented to graduating undergraduate students who have demonstrated exceptional leadership at USC in campus programs, activities, activism, or policy work that exemplify an outstanding commitment to improving the culture and diversity of the Trojan network.
Outstanding Graduate LGBTQ+ Leadership and Service Award
This award(s) is presented to graduating graduate and professional students who have demonstrated exceptional leadership at USC in campus programs, activities, activism, or policy work that exemplify an outstanding commitment to improving the culture and diversity of the Trojan network.
Bridge Builder Award
This award is presented to a USC faculty/staff member, campus department, or student organization whose work has improved the student experience or removed institutional barriers for LGBTQ+ students at USC.
Student Organization of the Year Award
This award recognizes the recognized student organization who has made the greatest impact on LGBTQ+ student life during the academic year – through community building, campus engagement, programming, activism or change-making.
Commencement Celebration FAQs
The 2025 Commencement Celebration Hosted by the LGBTQ+ Student Center and Lambda LGBTQ+ Alumni Association will be held Thursday, May 15th, 10-11:30am in the TCC Ballroom at USC’s UPC Campus.
All graduating students can register to participate in the Commencement Celebration Hosted by the LGBTQ+ Student Center and Lambda LGBTQ+ Alumni Association. Graduates should complete the registration form by April 30th.
USC’s commencement celebrations provide an opportunity for family and friends to celebrate their graduating student in community. The Commencement Celebration Hosted by the LGBTQ+ Student Center and Lambda LGBTQ+ Alumni Association will highlight the achievements of the entire group of students who register to participate, provide moments of individual recognition for registered students, and highlight cultural traditions and student performances that celebrate our campus community.
The Commencement Celebration is free for graduates and their families.
USC is committed to making its events accessible to individuals with disabilities. If you need accommodations in order to participate in this event, you may contact the LGBTQ+ Student Center at (213) 740-7619 or lgbtqplus@usc.edu. Individuals requiring accommodations or auxiliary aids such as sign language interpreters/real time captioners and alternative format materials are asked to notify us at least seven days prior to the event. Every reasonable effort will be made to provide accommodations in an effective and timely manner.
Yes, guests are welcomed at the Commencement Celebration Hosted by the LGBTQ+ Student Center and Lambda LGBTQ+ Alumni Association. Any guests planning to attend are required to fill out the Guest RSVP form to help the planning team create the best event possible for graduates and guests.
All graduating students will need to reserve and distribute tickets for their guests by following the steps detailed on the Commencement website regarding Ticketing Information.
All graduating students attending commencement ceremonies are required to reserve tickets for themselves and up to ten named guests. (Children under 2 years of age do not need a ticket to attend.) These tickets are free of charge. Graduating students will need to reserve and distribute tickets for their guests by following the steps detailed on the Commencement website regarding Ticketing Information.
Guest FAQs
USC’s commencement celebrations provide an opportunity for family and friends to celebrate their graduating student in community. The Commencement Celebration Hosted by the LGBTQ+ Student Center and Lambda LGBTQ+ Alumni Association will highlight the achievements of the entire group of students who register to participate, provide moments of individual recognition for registered students, and highlight cultural traditions and student performances that celebrate our campus community.
Yes, guests are welcomed at the Commencement Celebration Hosted by the LGBTQ+ Student Center and Lambda LGBTQ+ Alumni Association. Any guests planning to attend are required to fill out the Guest RSVP form to help the planning team create the best possible graduate and guest experience.
Your ticket to access USC commencement activities will be distributed to you directly from your graduating student. Please see the USC Commencement website’s Ticketing Information page for more details.
Transit and parking information can be found on the USC Commencement website.
The TCC Ballroom is located in the basement of Steven Kathryn Sample Hall (SKS).
3607 Trousdale Parkway
Los Angeles, CA 90089
For public transportation and parking information, please visit the USC Commencement website. The closest parking structure to the Ronald Tutor Campus Center (TCC) is the Downey Way Structure.
For general accommodations for the USC campus and Commencement week, please see the USC Commencement website. Guests needing accommodations in order to participate in this event, may contact the LGBTQ+ Student Center at (213) 740-7619 or lgbtqplus@usc.edu.
General Lavender Celebration Questions
Lavender Graduate Celebration is the University of Southern California’s annual celebration for graduating undergraduate and graduate/professional students highlighting LGBTQ+ culture. The event honors students from within the LGBTQ+ community to commemorate their contributions to the university.
The 2025 Lavender Celebration ceremony will be held Thursday, May 15th, 10-11:30am in the TCC Ballroom at USC’s UPC Campus.
Lavender Celebration has a keynote speaker who shares advice, words of wisdom, and their own life experiences with graduates. In addition, LGBTQ+ and allied faculty and staff members attend as do alumni from the USC Lambda LGBTQ+ Alumni Association. Other community members from local LGBTQ+ organizations are invited. This is an open event, which means anyone from campus can attend.
At Lavender Celebration, graduates are recognized and presented with a certificate. The celebration also recognizes and awards undergraduate and graduate student leaders as well as LGBTQ+ and allied faculty and staff members who have positively impacted LGBTQ+ life on campus. At the end of the celebration, there is a post-event reception for all graduates and guests.
No, Lavender Celebration is FREE for graduates to participate in.
The actual Lavender Celebration program is no longer than an hour and a half. We have an optional reception afterwards for networking.
The LGBTQ+ Student Center plans Lavender Celebration each year with assistance from the USC Lambda LGBTQ+ Alumni Association.
Graduate Participant Questions
If you are a graduating student, you are invited and encouraged to participate in Lavender Celebration as it is an opportunity to celebrate and recognize your contributions to campus and to be in community with other LGBTQ+ graduates. As a participant, you will receive a rainbow cord, special gift, and recognition from Student Life.
If you are a graduate, please complete the registration form.
Yes, guests are welcomed at Lavender Celebration. Anyone planning to attend is encouraged to fill out the Guest RSVP form to help the Lavender Celebration Planning Committee create the best ceremony possible for graduates and guests.
You will be contacted by the LGBTQ+ Student Center three weeks before the actual event.
Typically 50-60 graduating undergrad and graduate students participate annually in Lavender Celebration.
The actual Lavender Celebration program is no longer than an hour and a half. We have a small reception afterwards for networking.
Graduates are encouraged to present as their authentic selves.
No, please invite as many people as you would like to celebrate your tremendous achievement.
Donate to the Celebration
USC provides outstanding, nationally recognized services to the LGBTQ+ community. With your support, we are able to continue our work and expand programs like Lavender Celebration. Consider making a gift to help our LGBTQ+ students to graduate and become outstanding members of our community.
- Recognition Awards for outstanding LGBTQ+ undergraduate and graduate/professional student leaders.
- Honorarium and travel expenses for a keynote speaker. Previous keynote speakers include writer and transgender advocate, Janet Mock, Executive Director and CEO for the Point Foundation, Jorge Valencia, and Lorri L. Jean, Executive Director for the L.A. LGBT Center
- Special gifts for graduates. Previous gifts include Lavender Road to Success, rainbow cords, and gift cards.