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Accolades and affirmation were given to more than 100 Southern Illinois University Edwardsville students who chose to participate in special graduation ceremonies during the past week. 

SIUE students were applauded in the following ceremonies:

• Rainbow Graduation, Monday, Dec. 2 in the Morris University Center, Oak/Redbud Room
• Black Graduation, Tuesday, Dec. 3 in the Morris University Center, Conference Center
• Latinx Graduation, Wednesday, Dec. 4 in the Morris University Center, Oak/Redbud Room
• Gateway/Office for Accessible Campus Community and Equitable Student Support (ACCESS) Graduation, Thursday, Dec. 5 in the Morris University Center, Maple/Dogwood Room
• Nontraditional Graduation, Friday, Dec. 6 in the Morris University Center, Fixins’ Restaurant
• International Graduation, Tuesday, Dec. 9 in the Morris University Center, Meridian Ballroom  

The events were not actual commencement ceremonies, but served to celebrate the various groups of students. 

“It was so moving to see such a large showing of faculty, staff and administration present at the celebration,” said Nick Niemerg, assistant director of constituent relations and co-chair of SIUE Safe Zone with Jennifer Hernandez, PhD, assistant professor in the Department of Teaching and Learning. “I’m so grateful for the support of these initiatives. Hosting a Rainbow Graduation is a special way to celebrate the amazing accomplishments of our LGBTQIA+ students during their time at SIUE.” 

Guest speakers at the Rainbow celebration included Chancellor Randy Pembrook, Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Jeffrey Waple and Director of Undergraduate Admissions Todd Burrell. 

Special speakers at the Black Graduation included Rae’Jean Spears-Alford, who received her master’s in English Literature, and Kelly Atkins, assistant director of Transition Services. 

“Rae’Jean gave extremely moving remarks centered on the Shirley Chisholm quote: ‘If they don’t give you a seat at the table, bring a folding chair,’” said Earleen Patterson, PhD, director of Student Opportunities for Academic Results (SOAR). “Kelly Atkins motivated the students in her remarks about empowerment, determination and perseverance. The ceremony is an opportunity for underrepresented students to be acknowledged and honored for the hard work they have achieved.” 

Latinx students were also congratulated for their academic fortitude, according to Kelly Jo Karnes, director of the Morris University Center, Student Success Center and the Kimmel Student Involvement Center. 

“The Latinx Graduation Celebration is a pre-commencement celebration to honor Latino, Latina, and Latinx students who, through unyielding determination and academic achievements, have successfully completed an undergraduate or graduate degree from SIUE,” said Karnes. “It is an opportunity to also wish them well in their next adventures.” 

Guest speakers at the Latinx ceremony included Waple and Associate Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Miriam Roccia. 

SIUE alumna Wendy Settles, of Impact Center for Independent Living, was the keynote speaker for the inaugural Gateway/ACCESS graduation. 

“Settles discussed the next phase after college, including self-advocacy, accommodations within the workforce and allowing passion and persistence to lead, regardless of limitations imposed by others,” said ACCESS Director Dominic Dorsey. 

“The genesis of this event came from student Alex Mitchell, who noticed how we had graduations for other cultural affinity groups and inquired about a graduation for students with disabilities,” added Dorsey. “We chose the word ‘Gateway’ as a double entendre. Symbolically because the St. Louis Gateway Arch is a significant monument, but also because academia and society have presented a significant amount of gatekeeping when it comes to individuals with disabilities. This celebration symbolizes a fair passage with no one deciding who does or does not have access or rights, and who does or does not belong either by exclusion or by design.” 

Nontraditional students, who are generally older, were also celebrated. “It was important to show nontraditional students that SIUE cares and appreciates their journey to obtain their bachelor’s degree,” said Karnes. 

Waple and Roccia welcomed nontraditional students at the ceremony. 

Students from the countries of Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Nigeria and South Korea were honored during the International Graduation. 

“In Chancellor Randy Pembrook’s speech, he highlighted the diversity of the group, and how it embodies SIUE’s mission to ‘prepare leaders to shape a changing world,’” said Gabriela Renteria-Poepsel, international student programming advisor. “These students will return to their home countries and share their experiences at SIUE. The chancellor also emphasized that international students have made SIUE a better place, because they were here.” 

Other speakers and participants at the International ceremony included Mary Weishaar, director of the Office of International Affairs, and Kim Browning, Study Abroad advisor. 

“The Office of International Affairs held the first International Graduation Celebration in 2016 to honor and celebrate the achievements of international students graduating from SIUE, and to highlight the sacrifices made by international students and their families,” said Renteria-Poepsel. “Since many international student families are unable to attend the commencement ceremony, this celebration also serves as an opportunity to take photos of each student that can then be shared with their families abroad via our Facebook page.” 

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SIUE held special graduation ceremonies for LGBTQIA+, black, Latinx, ACCESS, nontraditional and international students during the past week.