Celebrating TU鈥檚 cultural communities

Get to know the insignia, communities honoring graduating students鈥� identities, cultures

By Towson University on May 16, 2024

A collection of commencement stoles
These stoles symbolize graduates鈥� affiliation with Towson University and aspects of their identity and cultural communities and/or affinity groups. (Lauren Castellana/Towson University)

At Towson University鈥檚 spring Commencement, many graduating students will wear special stoles showcasing their affiliation and engagement with various groups on campus.

Through a series of programs and celebrations, the Center for Student Diversity (CSD) and Student Success Programs (SSP) reaffirms students鈥� identities and educates the campus community of the importance of its diversity and inclusive practices. 

Most significantly for graduation, CSD and SSP use graduation stoles to symbolize Towson University鈥檚 recognition and celebration of the diversity of its students.

As part of this recognition, in the weeks leading up to Commencement, both CSD and SSP hold celebration events to honor graduating students and the communities that supported them throughout their college journeys.

A first generation stole
Towson University will introduce a new stole that honors its First Generation graduates. (Lauren Castellana / Towson University) 

Student Success Programs Closing Ceremony

Hosted by the Student Success Programs, the SSP Closing Ceremony honors Towson University鈥檚 SAGE students, CROP students and those students who identify as first generation.

The ceremony honors the SAGE and CROP mentors of the year, announces the recipients of the Gen One Futures Scholarship and showcases the impact these students have on TU鈥檚 campus. It also introduces the program鈥檚 new mentors for the following academic year.

For the first time in TU鈥檚 history there will be a special stole that honors TU鈥檚 first-generation students. The white stole features the Gen One insignia, the words first generation and the Towson University logo.

Student wearing a stole from the Ebony Celebration
Students who participate in student groups associated with the African American Student Development Program receive a kente stole for Commencement (Lauren Castellana / Towson University).

Ebony Celebration

Every year the Ebony Celebration is an opportunity to recognize and celebrate graduating seniors, who receive a kente stole. A woven textile originating in West Africa, kente is worn on special occasions and has become a symbol of achievement and resilience at graduation ceremonies throughout the African diaspora. The woven stole has a black background; red, green and yellow stripes; the Asante stool symbol signifying royalty; and the graduation year.

The African American Student Development Program supports, promotes and enhances the intellectual, academic, social and personal development of African American students and students from the African Diaspora.

Student wearing a stole from the lavender celebration
TU students from the LGBTQIA+ community receive lavender stoles with rainbow stripes during the annual Lavender Celebration. (Lauren Castellana / Towson University)

Lavender Celebration

The Lavender Celebration honors LGBTQIA+ students of all races and ethnicities to acknowledge their academic achievements and contributions to the university.

At the ceremony, graduating students receive a lavender stole with rainbow stripes. The use of lavender is a reclamation of symbols of hatred  transformed during the Civil Rights Movement into symbols of pride and community. The rainbow stripes signify pride, the diversity of the LGBTQIA+ community and the spectrum of sexuality and gender.

The Sexuality and Gender Diversity Student Development Program provides education and resources for a diverse population of students that includes Tigers from various sexual orientations, gender identities, gender expressions, abilities, races and ethnicities.

Student wearing stole representing APIMEDA community
Graduating APIMEDA students receive a black stole with gold trim, embroidered with the APIMEDA acronym on one side and TU CSD on the other. (Lauren Castellana / Towson University)

APIMEDA Graduation Celebration

This year marks the inaugural Asian, Pacific Islander, Middle Eastern and Desi American (APIMEDA) Graduation Celebration at TU. The APIMEDA ceremony recognizes graduates within the APIMEDA community alongside their friends and family.

Graduating students receive a black stole with gold trim, embroidered with the APIMEDA acronym on one side and TU CSD on the other, to signify their achievements and involvement during college.

The APIMEDA Student Development Program offers programming and activities that focus on creating dialogue and awareness around issues pertaining to the APIMEDA and diaspora communities.

Student wearing latine/x stole
At this Latine/x Graduation Celebration, graduates receive a serape stole made of woven material found in many Latin American countries. (Paige Detwiler / Towson University) 

Latine/x Graduation Celebration

In its eighth year, the Latine/x Graduation Celebration honors Latine/x graduates at TU and their communities. At this ceremony, graduates receive a serape stole made of woven material found in many Latin American countries. More than a symbol of graduation, the serape represents graduates鈥� pride in their cultures, empowerment to succeed and ability to overcome obstacles to reach this milestone.
 
The Latine/x Student Development Program works to recruit, engage, retain and graduate students from Latine/x backgrounds and to ensure their academic, sociocultural, personal and professional success.