End of the Year Ceremonies

Collage of images of End of Year Ceremony Graduates

The End of the Year Ceremonies are the university’s cultural and identity-based recognitions.

These ceremonies center the cultural identities and backgrounds that our students hold. Each recognition program takes place in May and is designed to highlight the outstanding work our students have accomplished in the areas of service, academics, and leadership, while affirming the unique challenges and experiences they share. 

Spring 2023 Registrations and Volunteering

Graduate Registration was open from February 6 - April 1. If you are a graduating student who filled out the waitlist form after that date, someone from the committee will be in touch. All waitlists are closed as of 4/24/23. Unfortunately we cannot accept students after that date based on having materials sent to print and supply ordering deadlines.

The Guest Registration Form is open until May 5. We encourage family, friends, fellow students, faculty and staff to attend in support of the graduating students. There is one registration form applicable for all ceremonies as a guest.

Volunteers who are staff, faculty, students, and alumni are being sought for day of each ceremony. If you are interested, please use the information below:

  • Lavender Commencement - Contact Dan Perez-Sornia <djperezsornia@usfca.edu>
  • Interwoven - Contact Ann Le <ale37@usfca.edu>
  • Latinx Recognition Ceremony - Volunteer Form and Processional Form
  • Indigenous Peoples of Oceania - Contact Carolyn Arroyo <carroyo3@usfca.edu>
  • Vizuri Kabisa - seeking volunteers and processional participants. Contact Makynna Knockum <maknockum@dons.usfca.edu>

Spring 2023 Ceremonies

2022 Lavender Commencement group photo

the 15th Annual USF Lavender Commencement (LGBTQIA+ graduation)

Register Here (Registration and Waitlist are now closed)

Ceremony Date: Friday, May 12, 2023  in McLaren Complex, USF Campus
Ceremony Time: 7:00-7:45 p.m.
Reception: 7:45-8:30 p.m.

View our photos from the 2023 Lavender Commencement Ceremony.

Lavender Commencement honors graduating Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer students, including those who identify across the gender and sexuality spectrums (LGBTQIA+), through celebration, keepsakes, and stoles. The ceremony is a reflection of our community’s vitality and the accomplishments of USF’s graduating undergraduate and graduate students.

2022 Latinx Recognition Ceremony group photo

the 23RD Annual USF Latinx Recognition Ceremony

Ceremony Date: Monday, May 15, 2023 in St. Ignatius Church, USF Campus
Ceremony Time: 5:00-6:45 p.m.  
Reception: 6:45-8:00 p.m. in McLaren Complex

View our photos from the 2023 Latinx Recognition Ceremony.

The Latinx Recognition Ceremony is intended to celebrate and recognize graduating Latinx/o/e, Hispanic, Chicanx/@ and multiracial students. The ceremony honors not only their individual accomplishments in academics, service, and leadership, but also pays tribute to the collective victories and sacrifices as a community.

2022 Indigenous Peoples of Oceania Ceremony group photo

the 7th USF Annual Indigenous Peoples of Oceania Ceremony: Native Pacific Islander Graduation

Register Here (Registration and Waitlist are now closed)

Ceremony Date: Tuesday, May 16, 2023 from 1:00-2:30 p.m. in McLaren Complex, USF Campus

The Indigenous Peoples of Oceania Ceremony was created for graduating students who identify as Indigenous Oceanic, Native Pacific Islander, and Pasifika people to celebrate their visibility and representation in higher education.

2022 Vizuri Kabisa Ceremony group photo

the 27th Annual Vizuri Kabisa Ceremony (Black Commencement)

Register Here (Registration and Waitlist are now closed)

Ceremony Date: Tuesday, May 16, 2023 in St. Ignatius Church
Ceremony Time: 6:00-7:30 p.m.
Reception: 7:30-8:30 p.m.

View our photos from the 2023 Vizuri Kabisa Ceremony.

Vizuri Kabisa is Swahili for "excellence." Vizuri Kabisa is a recognition event that honors the academic and leadership achievements of graduating students who identify as Black, African, African American, and Multiracial.
 

2022 Interwoven Ceremony group photo

the 17th Annual USF Interwoven Ceremony (Asian & Asian American Commencement) 

Register Here (Registration and Waitlist are now closed)

Ceremony Date: Sunday May 14, 2023 in McLaren Complex
Ceremony Time: 3:00-4:30 p.m.
Reception: 4:30-5:30 p.m.

View our photos from the 2023 Interwoven Ceremony.

The Interwoven Graduation Ceremony honors graduating Asian, Asian American, Middle Eastern, South Asian, and Multiracial undergraduate and graduate students. This event is designed to highlight the outstanding work our graduating students have accomplished in the areas of service, academics, and leadership while affirming the unique challenges and experiences they share.
 

STUDENT SPEAKERS 

Each of the ceremonies feature student speakers in addition to keynote speakers, and we encourage graduating students who register as participants to complete the application form to be considered.

GALLERY OF PAST CEREMONY IMAGES

2022 Lavender Commencement 

2022 Latinx Recognition Ceremony

2022 Indigenous Peoples of Oceania Ceremony 
**Password: a_hui_hou

2022 Vizuri Kabisa Ceremony

2022 Interwoven Ceremony

FALL 2022 stole sales

While we do not hold December identity-based graduation ceremonies, those students who graduate in December 2022 are welcome to order a stole/s to wear at their December main graduation ceremony.

These stoles are the same or similar to those given to graduating students in the May ceremonies, and feature either a satin base or woven stole base. We sell them for approximately the same cost that we pay to have them made, $25.

Sales for Fall 2022:
Purchase between November 7 - December 2, 2022
Pickup between November 28 - December 2, 2022

Order your stole today!

In addition, December graduates may participate in the upcoming May 2023 ceremonies. Registration for the ceremonies will take place at the beginning of February with links available on this page. May graduates should NOT purchase a stole during this Fall sales period.