Attendees enjoyed an evening of recognition, connection and heavy hors d’oeuvres, while honoring Tal Fish ’09, Rev. Dr. Chelsea Yarborough-Gill ’12 and Reese Kimball ’29.

“Tonight is about recognizing the impact of and celebrating the people who continue to create spaces where others can feel seen, valued, supported and empowered,” remarked LGBTQIA Alumni Network President Jonath Monti ’08.

The LGBTQIA Alumni Network and Community Enrichment Awards were established in 2012 to create opportunities to affirm and acknowledge the work alumni, faculty and staff have done to uplift LGBTQIA people and causes on campus and in their communities at large. The Community Enrichment Awards recognize those individuals who have made and continue to make a positive impact and for their dedication to �鶹��Ƶ and LGBTQIA communities.

Community Enrichment Award Recipients

Tal Fish ’09

Tal Fish (he/they) is a queer, neurodivergent licensed clinical mental health supervisor and licensed clinical addictions specialist who believes deeply in creating a world that is inclusive and just, working toward the safety and dignity of all people while dismantling oppression.

He is a proud 2009 graduate of �鶹��Ƶ’s prestigious music theater program and later earned his graduate degree from Wake Forest University. After working as an instructor for Wake Forest’s counseling program for a decade, Fish has spent the last five years supporting �鶹��Ƶ students as a mental health therapist within Counseling Services. This September, Fish moved into a new role as clinical coordinator and staff with faculty rank for �鶹��Ƶ’s new Clinical Mental Health Counseling graduate program, supporting counselors in training and teaching counseling courses. He has also appeared globally as an out-and-proud cast member on a reality TV show for the last decade.

Rev. Chelsea Yarborough-Gill ’12

Rev. Dr. Chelsea Brooke Yarborough-Gill (she/her) is the associate director of leadership development at the Association of Theological Schools. Dedicated at her core to empowering individuals to find, embrace, and use their voices to foster well-being, equity and the possibilities of flourishing, she earned her bachelor’s degree from �鶹��Ƶ, her Master of Divinity from Wake Forest University School of Divinity and her Ph.D. in Religion from Vanderbilt University.

Yarborough-Gill’s new book, “Proclamation Beyond the Pulpit: The Expansive Homiletical Practice of Black Women,” which considers the preaching insights from Fannie Lou Hamer, Nannie Helen Burroughs and Sojourner Truth, is just one example of how her work seeks to challenge normative power structures and traditional paradigms of proclamation.

Even as an ordained Baptist minister, leadership coach, Enneagram teacher, and poet, Yarborough-Gill values her roles as a wife, daughter, friend, sister, and auntie, above all.

Reese Kimball ’29

A member of �鶹��Ƶ’s Class of 2029, Reese Kimball (he/him), is a member of �鶹��Ƶ’s Nursing Fellows program and plans to pursue pediatric nursing after graduation. He is an active member of the Creative Arts LLC, Club Swimming, Spectrum and the President’s Student Leadership Council.

Only a sophomore, Kimball has had many exciting �鶹��Ƶ experiences, including performing with �鶹��Ƶ’s first show choir, the �鶹��Ƶ Muses, during his freshman year, and coordinating the Adventures in Leadership program this summer with a mission to encourage diversity and inclusion. Kimball hopes to continue to demonstrate the ideals of the Community Enrichment Award as he continues his time at �鶹��Ƶ.

Titled “Open Forum: Use Your Voice,” the event will provide an opportunity for students to learn about existing prevention and response efforts, ask questions and share perspectives on how to foster communities free from abuse.

The forum is co-sponsored by �鶹��Ƶ’s Gender & LGBTQIA Center (GLC), the Student Government Association’s Students Promoting Inclusive Excellence Committee and the Title IX Office. The collaboration reflects a shared commitment to supporting �鶹��Ƶ community members and strengthening awareness of resources and initiatives addressing sexual and relationship abuse.

The event is intended to create space to learn about the university’s current efforts, the resources available to students and opportunities for continued prevention. Attendees will be encouraged to engage in conversation, ask questions and contribute their perspectives on how the campus community can work collectively to prevent abuse and support those affected by it.

Sexual and relationship abuse prevention involves awareness, education and community participation. By bringing together campus partners and community members, the open forum aims to increase understanding of existing efforts while inviting continued engagement in building a safer, more supportive campus environment.

The forum’s primary audience is students who are encouraged to attend and participate in the conversation. For faculty and staff interested in similar events and spaces, email glc@elon.edu or view the .

For more information about this event, contact the Gender & LGBTQIA Center at glc@elon.edu. To keep up with other events hosted by the Gender and LGBTQIA Center, sign up for their newsletter .

Explore the full schedule and event details on the Homecoming Week Student Edition webpage. Additional information is also available on or by contacting Student Involvement at studentinvolvement@elon.edu, 336-278-7214, or in Moseley 205. Follow Student Involvement on social media for the latest updates and student events throughout Homecoming Week.

Week-long Events

SGA Royalty Court Voting

All Day | PhoenixCONNECT

All students can vote for the 2025 SGA Homecoming Royalty Court. Visit for more details and to cast your vote. Voting ends Friday, Oct. 9 at 5 p.m.

Monday, Oct. 5

Phoenix Spirit Shoutouts

All Day | Instagram

Tag or send your organization photos to the to be featured on our page.

SGA Trivia

7-9 p.m. | McKinnon Hall��

Join SGA OnePhoenix for a trivia night to kick off Homecoming week! This trivia will be played in pairs, so grab your duo partner and come compete for prizes! Visit for more information.

Tuesday Oct. 6

Homecoming Week College Coffee and E-Voting

9:40 – 10:20 a.m. | Medallion Plaza

Students are invited to join for a special Homecoming edition of College Coffee as we celebrate with treats and prizes! The Homecoming E’s will be on display for voting!

SGA Silent Disco

8 p.m. | Alumni Gym

Celebrate homecoming week with a glorious Silent Disco! Come enjoy tunes with your friends, hosted by THE DJ Dillon Jam, and watch for a special guest. Hosted by the Student Government Association’s OnePhoenix Committee!

Wednesday, Oct. 7

SUB Homecoming Student Celebration

10 a.m. – 2 p.m. | Phi Beta Kappa Commons (Rain location: Alumni Gym)

Join the Student Union Board to celebrate Homecoming Week! We will have food and lots of fun activities – some themed around our Rock the Block artist, DJ Diesel. Hope to see you there! Visit for more details.

Voting on the E’s

10 a.m. – 2 p.m. | Phi Beta Kappa Commons (Rain location: Alumni Gym)

Thursday, Oct. 8

Voting on the E’s

10 a.m. – 4 p.m. | Medallion Plaza (Rain location: Moseley Student Center)

Hoco Swag Wagon

Noon – 2 p.m. | Medallion Plaza

Find SUB around campus in the ‘SWAGON’ handing out great snacks and giveaways! The wagon will start on Medallion Plaza alongside E-voting, then will travel around campus while supplies last. Follow the for real-time updates. Visit for more details.

NPHC Homecoming Step Show

7 p.m. (Doors open at 6:30 p.m.) | McKinnon Hall��

Join the National Pan-Hellenic Council for the NPHC Homecoming Step Show. Watch Divine 9 fraternities and sororities battle it out on the stage in a series of dance steps, music selections and show themes. Alumni, staff, faculty and community members can purchase a ticket for $10 via the Homecoming & Reunion Weekend website until 3 p.m. the day of the show.

SUB Coffeehouse

10 p.m. | Irazu

Join SUB for the first SUB Spelling Bee. Whether you want to spell for a prize or just come for the entertainment, this Coffeehouse will be un-BEE-lievable! Check out the SUB Instagram @elonsub to sign up to compete. Free coffee will be provided! Visit for more details.

Friday, Oct. 9

Dance with Pride

6 p.m. | Upstairs Lakeside Rooms

Homecoming is about to get LOUD! Get ready for DANCE WITH PRIDE — the ultimate pregame before the big Homecoming concert! There’ll be great food and hype music! Put on your best fit and bring your pride and energy. Be loud. Be proud. DANCE WITH PRIDE! This event is free and open to all members of the LGBTQIA community and allies! ! Visit for more info.

Rock the Block & Homecoming Concert featuring DJ Diesel (aka Shaquille O’Neal)

6-9 p.m. | Young Commons

The annual celebration and community block party will host a variety of food trucks, yard games, inflatables and a fireworks show. DJ Diesel, also known as Shaquille O’Neal, will headline the Homecoming Concert with a performance beginning at 7:30 p.m. Here are a few important reminders to help you plan ahead for the event:

• Doors will open at 6 p.m., and the concert will take place rain or shine at 7:30 pm.
• The concert has a capacity limit; therefore, re-entry is not guaranteed
• The clear bag policy will be enforced.
• There are two primary entrances to Young Commons: Between Koury Gym and Moseley Student Center and between Moseley Center and Belk Library

Visit the Rock the Block information webpage for more information.

SUBCinema: Challengers Movie in Turner Theatre

10:30 p.m. | Turner Theatre

Movie description: Tashi, a former tennis prodigy-turned-coach, transformed her husband into a champion. But to overcome a recent losing streak and redeem himself, he’ll need to face off against his former best friend–Tashi’s ex-boyfriend. Movie Rating: R.

Saturday, Oct. 10

Student Tailgating

9 a.m. – 2 p.m. | Hunt B (back parking lot of Schar Center)

Grab your gear, cheer loud and celebrate Phoenix-style at the student tailgate! Visit the Student Involvement Tailgating website (or stop by Moseley 205) for more information.

SGA Crowning of Homecoming Royalty

After the third quarter during the football game| Rhodes Stadium

Come celebrate all members of the Homecoming Court and see two students be crowned as this year’s “Homecoming Royalty.”

SUBCinema: Challengers

8:30 p.m. | Turner Theatre

Related Articles

• Recognizing Pride Month 2026 at �鶹��Ƶ
• Pride Month: AK Krauss reflects on safety through building networks
• Pride Month: Archie Crowley is building community through language and mentorship
• Pride Month: Maria Lagunes Flores ’29 reflects on a year of self-discovery and belonging

When Lane Merrill ’27 was searching for colleges, academics mattered, but so did finding a place where they could belong.

“A big factor was the social scene and how accepting �鶹��Ƶ was,” said Merrill, a statistics and data analytics double major from Tampa. “�鶹��Ƶ had the avenues for a big LGBT community if I wanted that in my college experience.”

At �鶹��Ƶ, Merrill has found that community and has become an important part of helping strengthen it for others.

Shortly after arriving, Merrill connected with the Gender & LGBTQIA Center through the Gender and Sexuality Living Learning Community. The experience provided more than a living situation.

“I appreciated that it was the start of discovering friends and people who had similar interests to me,” Merrill said. “I had a starting point just to talk to people.”

They also remember early programming from the GLC that introduced new students to campus resources and opportunities, helping create a sense of connection from the beginning.

That sense of community eventually led Merrill to become involved with Spectrum, �鶹��Ƶ’s LGBTQ+ student organization. As president for 2026-27, they have focused on helping rebuild and strengthen the organization’s foundation following challenges that emerged during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Merrill’s passion for LGBTQ+ advocacy began before college. They attended a private high school where establishing a Gender and Sexuality Alliance was a significant achievement.

“My junior year was the first year that we got some form of a GSA,” Merrill said. “Being a part of that formation and that leadership helped me see how important these kinds of organizations are to people who are just starting their journey and just figuring out what the LGBT community is and how they can be a part of it, even just in an ally aspect.”

That experience shaped their commitment to creating welcoming spaces for others at �鶹��Ƶ.

“I’m hopeful that a lot of the work that I’ve done this year sets a foundation for events going forward,” they said. “I’d really like to see Spectrum host events and just create an enjoyable space for the LGBT community.”

Along the way, several people have helped Merrill feel at home at �鶹��Ƶ. They credit GLC Director Luis Garay and graduate apprentice Kate Campbell with providing guidance and support.

“I remember Luis at that GLC welcome event my freshman year,” Merrill said. “They were very nice, very welcoming, and remembered my face afterwards. It was just nice to be like, ‘I have a friend. I kind of know somebody.’”

�����Dz���holds a Spring Pride celebration in May, when students are on campus. However, the month is recognized globally during June to honor��the anniversary of the Stonewall Riots, a series of protests that followed a police raid on June 28, 1969, at the Stonewall Inn in New York City. The bar remains a popular gathering place for members of the LGBTQ+ community.

Merrill, who identifies as gender fluid, said �鶹��Ƶ has lived up to the welcoming environment they hoped to find when researching colleges.

During Pride Month, Merrill reflects on how their relationship with the celebration has evolved. Growing up in Florida, they often observed Pride events from a distance. At �鶹��Ƶ, they have become more actively involved.

“I have definitely tapped more into what the celebrations are, what are the things going on around me, and what are the things that I can then put myself into and become a part of this experience more than just watch it,” Merrill said.

�鶹��Ƶ honors Pride Month stories

As part of LGBTQ+ Pride Month, �鶹��Ƶ is sharing stories through Today at �鶹��Ƶ that highlight students, faculty and staff who contribute to a campus environment where cultural identities and experiences are celebrated year-round. Throughout the month and year, �鶹��Ƶ also offers resources and events related to the LGBTQ+ community.

Related Articles

• Recognizing Pride Month 2026 at �鶹��Ƶ
• Pride Month: Archie Crowley is building community through language and mentorship
• Pride Month: Maria Lagunes Flores ’29 reflects on a year of self-discovery and belonging
• Pride Month: Lane Merrill ’27 finds belonging and community across the ‘Spectrum’

“An advocate is one who finds the things that need doing and gets them done,” said AK Krauss, paraphrasing a local partner at Family Service of the Piedmont. “Advocacy is so individual and specific to different folks.”

Krauss serves as �鶹��Ƶ’s assistant director of the Gender & LGBTQIA Center for Confidential Advocacy, a role that manages cases and supports the wellbeing of �鶹��Ƶ community members who have experienced harms, including sexual assault, relationship abuse, stalking and sexual harassment.

As an advocate, Krauss provides emotional support, connects community members to resources, helps them navigate legal processes and collaborates on safety planning.

Jayla Martin ’25, student manager for the GLC, described Krauss as the embodiment of an advocate and friend and someone who has a “strong sense of justice and a depth of empathy and compassion that has made countless lives better.”

“When I was going through my silly, twenty-something problems as a student, AK was always ready to lend an ear and listen without judgment,” Martin said. “As a staff member now, they are always able to give me a balanced, realistic perspective on a problem, and still make me laugh afterwards.”

The work, while rewarding, can be challenging and emotionally taxing. Krauss and other partners on campus offer awareness and preventative programs, trainings and events to stop sexual harm on campus. To destress away from work, Krauss takes boxing lessons, enjoys nature and enjoys connections with their chosen family.

“I bought a punching bag for my house for $40 from somebody who was moving,” Krauss said. “I thought, ‘I will absolutely invest in that!’” A few trial classes at a gym turned into a beloved hobby.

“Boxing helps me get out of my head,” Krauss said. “It helps me release the physical energy that comes with living in a high-stress world and working in a high-stress position.”

Krauss also enjoys being in nature. They have a tattoo of a sleeping fox, as well as a cluster of fairy inkcap mushrooms.

“The mushroom tattoo reminds me of the bigger connections and pictures in life: connection to community, connection to chosen family and all the different ways to build networks with each other that are maybe seen or unseen, recognized or unrecognized,” Krauss said.

Krauss said that advocacy work is innately diverse across multiple identities and experiences. Almost everyone who serves in the role of an advocate has experienced the challenge of navigating support systems after harmful experiences.

“We understand it personally,” Krauss said. “We bring that tenacity into the work and that’s the part of advocacy that I really love and vibe with and identify with.”

At work, Krauss is grateful to work in a space that feels safe, where they can focus on the work at hand.

“I love and appreciate that we have queer folks in leadership on campus who are blazing the trail so that I can just be here and do the work that I’m here to do,” they said. “I don’t need to worry about protecting myself or my identities –I can focus on being here for the students. That’s really what I want to do.”

�鶹��Ƶ honors Pride Month stories

As part of LGBTQ+ Pride Month, �鶹��Ƶ is sharing stories through Today at �鶹��Ƶ that highlight students, faculty and staff who contribute to a campus environment where cultural identities and experiences are celebrated year-round. Throughout the month and year, �鶹��Ƶ also offers��resources and events��to support the LGBTQ+ community.

It was through the Gender & Sexuality Living-Learning Community that Lagunes Flores discovered something more: a community that helped her realize she wasn’t “just another student,” but someone who mattered deeply to the people around her.

“It made me realize that I played a bigger role than I initially did,” Lagunes Flores said. “I thought it was just going to be, ‘Oh, another first year,’ but it made me realize that I mattered a lot more than what I thought.”

What began as a search for belonging has evolved into a commitment to help others find it, too. That transformation started the day she moved to campus.

A journey of self-discovery

Lagunes Flores’s journey began during a Phoenix Friday event, where she experienced a sense of belonging and purpose after meeting another incoming student who encouraged her to apply to the Gender & Sexuality LLC. The two would later become roommates.

“I thought to myself, ‘Well, okay, at least I’ll have one friend at �鶹��Ƶ and a roommate I know I can trust,'” said Lagunes Flores, who joined the university community through the��Leon and Lorraine Watson scholarship in the Odyssey Program.

What she didn’t know at the time was that the connection would help shape the foundation of her first year of college. After settling in on move-in day, Lagunes Flores and her roommates gathered the pride flags they had brought for their shared living space.

“One of my roommates was like, ‘Before putting them up, do you want to just go outside or go in the hallways and run with them?'” Lagunes Flores said.

Carrying their flags through the residence hall, she and her roommates celebrated the start of their first year and the community they had established. For Lagunes Flores, this moment meant so much more than celebrating move-in day.

“That was the first time I had actually experienced a sense of community with other queer people,” she said.

Growing up in a Native American community in Lumberton, North Carolina, Lagunes Flores had few opportunities to explore many of her intersecting identities.

“The only identity that I really got to explore before undergrad was the money struggles and things like that,” she said.

�鶹��Ƶ became a springboard for self-discovery, helping her embrace parts of her identity that had remained largely unexplored. That journey included gaining a deeper understanding of her queer identity. Experiences and friendships with fellow students led her to the support and community she needed.

One of those experiences came during a Drag Extravaganza event hosted by the Gender and LGBTQIA Center (GLC), featuring drag star Stormie Daie, who invited audience members to celebrate diverse identities and encouraged them to cheer when they heard one that resonated with them.

“That was the solidifying moment where I was comfortable in my sexuality,” Lagunes Flores said. “That was when I found my label.”

Building a foundation of belonging

Beyond helping her explore her identity, the Gender & Sexuality LLC also connected Lagunes Flores with mentors who would shape her academic and professional journey. Among them were Lauren Gulimette, an associate professor of philosophy and co-coordinator of Women’s Gender and Sexualities studies, and Luis Garay, director of the GLC, who are both co-advisors of the LLC.

Through conversations with Gulimette, Lagunes Flores discovered a passion for Women’s, Gender & Sexuality Studies and eventually added it as a minor, alongside her major in elementary education and a minor in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL).

Guilmette also connected her with the PACE program, which helped her secure a campus position and introduced her to opportunities she hadn’t considered as a first-year student.

Among them was an internship with Transcend Alamance, a nonprofit organization that supports transgender individuals in Alamance County. As an intern, Lagunes Flores helps write the organization’s bi-monthly newsletter.

Those who have worked closely with Lagunes Flores have noticed her growth and commitment to building community, noting that she is someone who actively creates spaces where others feel welcomed and connected.

“While Maria can at first seem shy and quiet, it has been a pleasure to watch her find community and come into their own as an active participant in the classroom and a student organizer on campus,” Gulimette said.

Garay echoed Gulimette, highlighting that Lagunes Flores’ commitment to inclusivity and building connections extends beyond the living-learning community itself.

“She brings floormates and friends outside of her residence hall to our monthly community dinners, extending our values of connection and relationship-building to others across campus,” Garay said.

Tibs Vance ‘29, a fellow student and friend, said that Lagunes Flores has a gift for helping others feel included.

“Maria is always really good at inviting me to events she helps organize or events she thinks I’ll enjoy,” he said. “Her understanding of others in her communities really helps her support and form impactful connections.

The sense of belonging and community that she found through the Gender & Sexuality LLC and with students, such as with Vance, now informs how she approaches leadership opportunities and her future career goals.

Looking ahead, she hopes to help students explore their identities and find community, just as she did during her first year at �鶹��Ƶ. After graduation, she plans to teach in the classroom before pursuing a graduate degree and a career in higher education.

Her first-year experiences have shaped not only her career aspirations but also her understanding of belonging and what pride looks like in everyday life.

“Belonging means knowing you’re loved in a space and that space makes you feel welcome,” she said. “You being you is an act of everyday pride.”

�鶹��Ƶ honors Pride Month stories

As part of LGBTQ+ Pride Month, �鶹��Ƶ is sharing stories through Today at �鶹��Ƶ that highlight students, faculty and staff who contribute to a campus environment where cultural identities and experiences are celebrated year-round. Throughout the month and year, �鶹��Ƶ also offers resources and events��to support the LGBTQ+ community.

June was officially recognized by the U.S. government as Pride Month in 1999 when President Bill Clinton proclaimed June “Gay and Lesbian Pride Month.” Learn more about the history of the month��.

The GLC also hosts a Pride Month Community Coffee event on June 9 from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. in Irazu Coffee. Attendees can get one medium iced or hot drink. .

Resources at �鶹��Ƶ

• Gender and LGBTQIA Center��(GLC) in Moseley 209 provides support to LGBTQIA students, provides confidential support for survivors of gender-based violence, and presents on gender and LGBTQIA-related topics. The GLC is open during the summer, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. It is closed on holidays. Feel free to stop by the office, email (glc@elon.edu) or call at 336.278.6228
• The Gender and Sexuality Living Learning Community��is a residential community open to any student wishing to explore topics around gender and sexual orientation.
• ��is a queer-straight student alliance ensuring a safe space for all queer people, existing for over 20 years.
• OutLaw��is a social and educational organization that fosters a supportive and accepting environment for LGBT students, faculty, staff and professionals at �鶹��Ƶ Law.
• LGBTQIA Alumni Network celebrates��and connects LGBTQIA alumni by fostering belonging and advocating for our community.
• The Spirit and Pride Initiative��is a grant-funded initiative supported by The Carpenter Foundation and in collaboration with the GLC and Truitt Center to support LGBTQIA students of faith.
• RISE, a QTPOC student initiative, supports LGBTQIA students of color through affirmation, celebration, and elevation.
• CLEAR��(Coalition of Learning, Empowerment & Anti-violence Resources) is a��student-directed initiative supervised by the GLC that coordinates events and presentations on gender-based violence awareness and prevention.
• The GAP Fund��provides financial support to currently enrolled �鶹��Ƶ students who are supported by the mission and programs of the Gender and LGBTQIA Center. The GAP Fund is made possible by generous donations to the GLC from LGBTQIA alumni, allies, faculty, staff, current students, and community members.

Community Resources

• ��is a nonprofit organization serving the LGBTQ communities of Alamance County by organizing an annual Pride festival.
• ��provides support for families and friends of LGBTQ people through educational materials and advocacy against harassment and bullying.
• ��is a community-led initiative created to form opportunities that inspire a sense of belonging for LGBTQIA+ and gender expansive people of any age, race and ability in Alamance County.
• ��(Greensboro) creates unity through programming and philanthropy that advances equality and inclusion for LGBTQ communities.
• ��works to to serve, empower, and advocate for the well-being of our diverse LGBTQ+ communities.
• ��supports LGBTQ+ people through services, programming, resources, and support networks that center their wellbeing and allows them to thrive.

Allyship Tips from the GLC

• Connect with any of the organizations in this article.
• Give��to the Gender and LGBTQIA Center to provide financial support for LGBTQIA students who are experiencing food insecurity, to have access to gender-affirming clothing and to make educational experiences financially accessible.
• Learn the history of the LGBTQIA communities from The Society for Human Rights to the Compton’s Cafeteria Riot and to the Stonewall Riots and subsequent Pride Parades.

Reach out to the staff at the Gender and LGBTQIA Center about other ways to get involved or if you are interested in volunteering with the GLC.

As �鶹��Ƶ honored its first-generation graduates during the annual stole ceremony on May 20 in McKinnon Hall, Assistant Director of First-Generation Student Support Services Kenneth Brown Jr. ’19 turned to the words of American poet Lucille Clifton to capture the significance of the moment.

“‘Won’t you celebrate with me what I have shaped into a kind of life? I had no model,’” Brown recited from Clifton’s poem, “Won’t you celebrate with me,” using the passage to reflect on the journeys of the 70 students –��including 10 graduate students –��recognized during this year’s ceremony.

In his welcome, Brown explained to the soon-to-be graduates that the university was honoring not only their academic accomplishments, but also their spirit, commitment and resiliency.

“Today, we celebrate the paths each of these students has created –��a path that took shape as they walked on it,” he said. “We celebrate the legacy they are leaving on this campus as remarkable leaders and scholars, a beacon of light in a dark world. We celebrate all they have given to �鶹��Ƶ and how they have made us a stronger, more inclusive institution.”

Organized by First-Generation Student Support Services, an initiative within the Center for Access and Success, the ceremony marked the largest group recognized since the stole ceremony was established in 2020. The milestone served as a point of pride for participants, their families and the university.

Brown thanked gathered faculty, staff, mentors, family members and friends for supporting the students throughout their �鶹��Ƶ journeys, emphasizing that the celebration reflected a shared commitment to first-generation student success.

Following Brown’s introduction, the ceremony transitioned to reflections from student keynote speaker Asia Green ’26, a presentation of the first-generation stoles, a charge from Luis H. Garay, director of the Gender and LGBTQIA Center, and the announcement of this year’s 1891 Awards recipients.

Finding the perseverance

During her keynote remarks, Green reminded fellow first-generation graduates that every student’s route to Commencement looked different – and that those differences deserved to be celebrated.

“Every person in this room has a different story, a different struggle, and a different journey that brought them to this moment,” said the exercise science major. “Some of us barely made it through certain courses. Well, we’re here today! No matter what your journey looked like, you made it here, and that alone is something to be proud of.”

The La Crosse, Virginia, native spoke candidly about overcoming fear and uncertainty throughout her college experience, urging students to move forward with confidence even when the future feels intimidating.

“To be a first-generation student means more to me than I can fully explain because it’s more than receiving a degree – it’s about traveling without a road map,” she said.

Despite moments of self-doubt, Green flourished at �鶹��Ƶ, carving her own way. She built an impressive record of academic achievement and campus involvement while pursuing undergraduate research opportunities, leadership roles, and a study abroad experience in Costa Rica. Following graduation, Green said she will continue her education after being accepted into a doctoral occupational therapy program in Florida.

“Success does not always require knowing all the answers or having everything planned,” Green said. “For me, it often meant intentionally choosing to stay despite significant challenges. Many of us have experienced times of uncertainty when giving up felt easier than continuing. However, by persevering through these difficult moments, we find new opportunities and directions that redefine our paths.”

“My time at �鶹��Ƶ taught me that where you come from does not define where you are going.”

After Green’s keynote, graduates crossed the stage to receive their first-generation stoles from mentors, family members and supporters who shaped their �鶹��Ƶ experiences.

Fittingly, the stole was designed by first-generation student Daisy Martinez-Jimenez ’26, and “symbolizes the unique and complex journey that you all have taken to be in this moment,” Brown said.

Along with the stole, students received an �鶹��Ƶ lapel pin, sponsored by the Office of Alumni Engagement, signifying their entry into the �鶹��Ƶ alumni family.

Pay it forward

The event continued with an inspirational charge from Garay, drawing from their own experiences as a first-generation college student and current doctoral student.

Garay reflected on the significance of the moment not only for the students being recognized, but also for the families and communities who supported them along the way.

“My cultural roots are in the ranchos of Zacatecas, Mexico,” Garay said. “My family, like many immigrants, came to this country for the opportunity and a better life for their kids. So, my college graduation was not only mine but my parents’ and my family’s graduation, too. Maybe this is something some of you relate to as well.”

Garay structured their remarks around three invitations for graduates as they move into the next chapter of their lives: honoring mentors, sharing knowledge, and paying it forward.

As part of their remarks, Garay encouraged graduates to recognize the mentors who helped them reach Commencement. Garay recalled a former supervisor who encouraged them early in their career and challenged graduates to think about the people whose support and encouragement sustained them throughout college. Garay even paused their remarks to invite graduates to send a text message thanking a mentor, family member or friend who helped guide them to graduation day.

“My last invitation to you all … take the knowledge you have gained and pay it forward,” Garay said. “By paying it forward, I mean using your knowledge, skills, expertise, social connections, or financial means to shift the reality for someone. As you go and leave �鶹��Ƶ and enter your careers, I want to encourage you to find ways to give back to those who are coming after you.”

Recognizing this year’s 1891 Awards recipients

Following the stole presentations, organizers recognized the recipients of the 2026 1891 Awards, honoring individuals who have advanced first-generation student success at �鶹��Ƶ.

Named in honor of �鶹��Ƶ’s first graduating class in 1891, the awards celebrate members of the campus community who embody the values of First-Generation Initiatives: empowerment, celebration, community, passion and authenticity.

This year’s recipients included:

• 1891 Award of Community: Emily Menjivar ’26
• 1891 Award of Celebratory: Jana Lynn Patterson, associate vice president for student life/dean of student health and well-being, and Paula DiBiasio, associate professor of physical therapy education
• 1891 Award of Passion: Selma Marić ’26
• 1891 Award of Empowerment: Daniella Alonzo Lopez ’28
• 1891 Award of Authenticity: Jo-Rae Jennings G’26, associate director of communications for Student Professional Development Center

Closing the ceremony, Cici Salazar ’23, G’26, encouraged graduates to reflect on the resilience and determination that carried them throughout their time at �鶹��Ƶ. The graduate apprentice for First-Generation Initiatives reminded students that the challenges they faced throughout college had already prepared them for the uncertainties that lie ahead.

“Take a moment to reflect on how far you’ve come,” Salazar said. “Each challenge, setback and moment of uncertainty has shaped the strength and resilience that you brought to the stage today.”

Salazar emphasized that graduates’ journeys at �鶹��Ƶ were marked not only by personal achievement, but also by resilience, community and the responsibility to support future generations.

“As first-generation students, we have already proven that we can do hard things,” Salazar said. “We’ve broken barriers, created opportunities, and paved the paths for ourselves and those who will follow after us. More now than ever, we must continue showing up for one another with compassion, strength and authenticity.”

Opening the celebration with remarks, Jon Dooley, vice president for Student Life, reflected on the division’s role in supporting and transforming students throughout their �鶹��Ƶ journeys.

“We educate students and we transform lives,” Dooley said.

Throughout his remarks, Dooley emphasized the importance of relationships and the meaningful impact Student Life professionals have on students both inside and outside the classroom. “The relationships we build with students — and with each other — are our greatest assets,” Dooley said

The celebration highlighted milestones from across the division and university, including launching the division’s new five-year plan, signing the Okanagan Charter, re-energizing the Hazing Prevention Coalition, expanding resources and communications for graduate students and being named one of the most promising places to work in student affairs for the sixth consecutive year.

The event also celebrated staff service milestones, departmental accomplishments, graduate apprentices, upcoming retirees and the professional achievements of colleagues across the division.

Special guests in attendance included Provost Rebecca Kohn and Vice President Emeritus Smith Jackson.

As the academic year comes to a close, the event served as a reflection on the collective care, collaboration and commitment that continue to shape the student experience at �鶹��Ƶ.

Division of Student Life Award Recipients

Academic Partnership Award

The Academic Partnership Award is presented annually to a Student Life professional and department that worked closely with academic partners to design a program or service that purposefully integrates curricular and co-curricular experiences or connects social and intellectual activities in an intentional manner.

Professional: Boaz Avraham-Katz, Truitt Center

Department: Counseling Services

Administrative Professional Award

The Administrative Professional is presented annually to a Student Life administrative professional (hourly staff member) who exhibits exceptional ability, commitment, and excellence in supporting student success and departmental/divisional priorities and projects.

Professional: Catherine Little, administrative assistant for campus life/New Student Programs

Collaboration Award

The Collaboration Award is presented to an individual and department that has excelled in forming partnerships within and/or outside the Division of Student Life to enhance the student experience by advancing the division’s and/or the university’s priorities.

Professional: Sam Lopez, Student Involvement

Department: Campus Recreation

Inclusive Excellence Award

The Inclusive Excellence Award is presented to a professional and department that has demonstrated a commitment to fostering a positive campus climate and community through advancing diversity, equity and inclusion.

Professional: Emily Krechel, New Student Programs

Department: Student Care & Outreach

Innovation Award

The Innovation Award is presented to a professional and department that has developed new, unique programs, services, or ways of working to support our divisional mission and goals.

Professional: AK Krauss, Gender & LGBTQIA Center

Department: Gender & LGBTQIA Center

Mentoring Award

The Mentoring Award is presented annually to a Student Life professional who is an exceptional mentor to students and engages with them in purposeful student development activities.

Professional: Destiny Payne, New Student Programs

New Professional Award

The New Professional Award is presented to an individual serving in their first or second year at �����Dz���who exhibits exceptional ability and commitment to work as a Student Life professional.

Professional: Ivie Shelton, Campus Recreation

Professional Achievement Award

The Professional Achievement Award is presented to an individual who has made a significant contribution to the student affairs profession.

Professional: Jana Lynn Patterson

Professional Development Scholarship

The Professional Development Scholarship Award is designed to extend beyond those opportunities to provide employees with support for continued professional growth through participation in selected professional experiences. Participants are expected to develop a creative strategy for sharing insights and lessons learned with colleagues on campus.

Recipient: Callie Kelly, Health Promotion

Years of Service

5 Years��

• Kirstin Boswell
• Meredith Harrison
• AK Krauss
• Cara Plasencia
• Tumi Shadreck
• Christina Wittstein

10 Years

• Shane Atkinson
• Callie Kelly
• Peter Tremblay

15 Years��

• Jan Register
• Marilyn Slade

20 Years

• Susan Lindley
• Chris Troxler

40 Years

• Jana Lynn Patterson

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• Website for �鶹��Ƶ’s 136th Commencement Exercises

It was the most joyous of celebrations of love, pride, identity and academic achievement.

Members of the LGBTQIA community gathered inside Alumni Gym on May 8 for an awards and recognition ceremony honoring soon-to-be graduates from �鶹��Ƶ’s Class of 2026.

Hosted by the Gender and LGBTQIA Center, the 14th annual Lavender Celebration recognized excellence, leadership and advocacy for and within the university’s LGBTQIA community. As they crossed the stage to be recognized, honorees were applauded by family, friends and mentors who filled the floor of a gymnasium ringed by flags that represented the identities of student participants.

Celebrants each received a rainbow stole symbolizing their commitment to inclusion, queer and trans joy, and the legacy of LGBTQIA communities at �鶹��Ƶ and beyond.

“This moment is a reminder that being yourself is not always easy, but it is always powerful,” John Moses-Brownson, �鶹��Ƶ’s associate director of career advising for pre-professional health, said in welcoming remarks. “It’s something we build together, in community, in small acts of courage that add up over time. And getting to witness the results of your courage today is such a gift.

“Moments like this don’t just happen. They’re built by the people in this room, so thank all of you for building together for others and for yourselves.”

This moment is a reminder that being yourself is not always easy, but it is always powerful.

–��John Moses-Brownson, �鶹��Ƶ’s associate director of career advising for pre-professional health

�鶹��Ƶ’s program traces its origins to efforts in 2012 by Jess Huynh ’12 and Raafe Purnsley ’12, alongside Professor Kirstin Ringelberg and other community members, to organize the first celebration. In 2022, a complementary program was launched to recognize December graduates from the School of Law and the School of Health Sciences.

The latest ceremony included an awards presentation that recognized notable student and employee accomplishments and commitments to inclusion on campus.

Award Winners

Outstanding Graduate (Natalie Hudson ‘26): This award is for a graduate who has shown great dedication, passion, or awareness around gender & LGBTQIA identities or topics during their time at �鶹��Ƶ.

Employee Champion for LGBTQIA Inclusion (Abby Igoe, Assistant Director of Multimedia Projects and Turner Theatre Manager): A faculty, administrator, or staff member who has shown great dedication, passion, or awareness around gender & LGBTQIA identities or topics specific during their time at �鶹��Ƶ. This individual could be part of the LGBTQIA communities or an ally.

Event of the Year (“Dragstravaganza” hosted by the Events Team from the Gender and LGBTQIA Center): An event or initiative that has contributed to improving dedication, passion, or awareness around gender & LGBTQIA identities or topics specific to the 2025-2026 academic year.

Alumni Recognition and Encouragement

Near the conclusion of the ceremony, Jonathan R. Monti ‘08, a student affairs professional at Rollins College in Florida who serves as president of the �鶹��Ƶ LGBTQIA Alumni Network, presented �鶹��Ƶ alum David Carter ’92 with an honorary graduate stole in recognition of Carter’s work to create space, visibility, and belonging in the Alamance County community.

Monti also offered a message of hope and support for the students seated before him.

“For us as LGBTQIA individuals, community has never been optional.
It has been life giving,” Monti said. “It is how we survive, how we celebrate, and how we build futures that once felt impossible. As you begin this next phase of your journey, know that you already have all that you need: your values, your voice, and your community. Wherever the journey may take you, create community, remain rooted in a practice of love and care and empathy, and always speak your truth, even when your voice may be unsteady.

“Today, we gather in the community to celebrate you, your resilience, your brilliance, your joy. 
Your successes in achievements are immeasurable. Your stories matter, and you belong. Now and always.”

Wherever the journey may take you, create community, remain rooted in a practice of love and care and empathy, and always speak your truth, even when your voice may be unsteady.

– Jonathan R. Monti ’08, president of the �鶹��Ƶ LGBTQIA Alumni Network