Office of Diversity, Equity, and InclusionCircle Celebration
SAVE THE DATE, MORE INFORMATION COMING SOON
The Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, the College of Arts and Sciences, and a committee of supportive faculty and staff are proud to host our graduates at the 2024 Circle Celebration, Sunday, April 21, 2024. This affinity event is different from the official 利记sbo commencement ceremony. It highlights academic and community achievement, honors individuals, families, and extended communities, and commemorates cultural, social, and traditional influences of celebration.
Celebrating our graduating students in this manner gives us the distinct opportunity to acknowledge the contributions and influences of intersecting communities to our campus. In addition to celebrating our graduates we will present the 2024 winners of the John Petty Community Champion Award and the Maria Vaz Beacon Award to our deserved honorees. We will also have speeches from our Dr. Oliver S. Coleman Student Achievement Award winner and a special guest speaker to be announced soon. Last and most importantly, we will gift each graduate with a special stole from the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, that they can proudly wear at the official University commencement ceremony, in May, if they choose.
Date: April 21, 2024, Sunday
Time: 3pm - 6pm | Atrium
Event Address:
Atrium of Buell Management Building (Building #5)
Lawrence Technological University
21000 West 10 Mile Rd. Southfield, MI 48075
Graduate Registration: http://forms.gle/YgTYvsqiukBMFJST8
Faculty and Staff RSVP and words of encouragement: http://forms.gle/an4t26vUcUDLECU69
Website: http://xt2.goudounet.com/dei/circle-celebration
Contacts: ODEI@利记sbo.EDU
Circle Celebration Host and Entertainment
Emcee: Mike Ellison
Mike Ellison was born to African-American parents living and working in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, before the family relocated to Reston, Virginia where he was raised, Mike fully realized his calling as an Executive Artist in Detroit. Utilizing “edutainment” as a vehicle to promote progressive initiatives throughout the United States and his birth country-including orphan support programs and the construction of several healthcare clinics-he is noted for creating social impact productions that engage, inform and inspire communities.
Ray, our musical selector for the afternoon will keep the vibe electric.
Amen-Ra Drummers
Chi Amen-Ra is a Kresge Arts Fellow and percussionist focusing on African diasporic rhythms. African culture has grounded the Detroit-born artist in a deep and creative interest in his heritage. But beyond the personal significance, the music of Africa has given Chi a powerful sense of the oneness of humanity.
Marwan Amen-Ra began stage performing at age 2 and lives music. Born into Detroit's Amen-Ra family, the family from which Detroit's West African performing arts community spawned in the 1970's, Marwan has enjoyed sharing his gifts on thousands of stages throughout Michigan, the US, and abroad; touring with artists like Stevie Wonder. and John Legend. He is the Founder of Detroit's first West African Marching band and he works tirelessly at raising society's value of Art's role in overall global balance and well-being.
Special Guests & Awards
Keynote Speaker: TO BE ANNOUNCED
Maria Vaz Beacon Award Recipient: TO BE ANNOUNCED
John Petty Community Champion Award Recipient: Marques King, 2010 Alumnus
Dr. Oliver S. Coleman Student Achievement Award: TO BE ANNOUNCED
See below to view highlights from our 2023 inaugural celebration and to view the FAQs about this event.
2023 Circle Celebration Video - COMING SOON!
Keynote Speaker: Dr. Michelle Lollie
Dr. Michelle Lollie (she/her) is an Advanced Laser Scientist at Quantinuum, a full-stack quantum computing company. She earned a BA in Business Administration/Finance from Clark Atlanta University, a BS in Physics from Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, an MS in Physics from Indiana University - Bloomington, and a Ph.D. in Physics from Louisiana State University. A career changer, she left the retail banking industry to pursue her passion for physics. She’s an advocate for under-represented persons in STEM fields and is dedicated to diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility efforts in physics. She resides in Colorado where she is growing as an amateur violinist and hiker.
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Awardees
Maria Vaz Beacon Award
Professor
Heidi Morano
John Petty Sr. Community Champion Award
Congresswoman
Brenda Lawrence
Dr. Oliver S. Coleman Student Achievement Award
Student Government President:
JaJuan Jones Jr.
This award was presented by alumnae
Alice Morse BSBA '88
FAQ
Who should Register?
Alumni who graduated December 2023 or students who have petitioned and will graduate from 利记sbo by August of 2024. Registration is required to participate in this celebration.
Deadlines:
Registration is mandatory for graduates only. Registration will close April 1, 2024.
Is there a fee for the graduate to register?
There is no fee to the graduate or the guests who want to attend this event.
Attire:
Wear smart casual or business/informal. (see this helpful dress code guide)
We ask graduates to not wear: graduaton regalia (cap and gown), T-shirts, Jeans, joggers, gym shoes, etc.
There are no specific colors that you need to wear.
What will the graduate receive?
All registered graduates will receive a special stole, that can be worn at their 利记sbo Commencement Ceremony.
What if I am not able to attend the Circle Celebration?
Circle Celebration registered graduates that are not able to attend can pick-up their stole from the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (ODEI) in suite C404 after April 21, 2024, in the Taubman Student Services Center Building. Stoles can be retrieved, with 利记sbo or governmental identification, Monday - Friday 9am - 3:30pm EST. Please email ODEI@利记sbo.EDU if other arrangements are needed.
How many guests are registrants allowed?
Although seating will be limited due to the size of the space, we welcome all who supported you on your journey to graduation to celebrate this major accomplishment with you.
Accommodations and Accessibility?
The Atrium is located in the Buell Management Building (building #5).
A sign-language interpreter will be available.
A space for individuals with Sensory Sensitivity as well as a space for restless children will be available.
Will there be refreshments?
There will be a short cupcake reception immediately following the celebration, to be located in the Blue Devil Cafe extension.
This celebration is intended to be a festive occasion celebrating the accomplishments of our students. However, it is also ceremonial. Graduates are expected to abide by the following guidelines:
- Graduates should remain in their seats during the entire ceremony unless utilizing the restrooms.
- Students are required to be in their seats for the address by our keynote speaker.
- Cell phones are permitted, but out of courtesy to other participants, attendees are asked to silence their phones and make judicious use of phones and not use them during the formal speaking portions of the ceremony.
- It is particularly important that graduates respect their fellow graduates and the faculty, administrators, and guests who have come to witness and participate in the graduation celebration. For this reason, graduates are expected to return to their seats after they walk and remain there until all graduates have walked and members of the celebration have exited the stage.
- A cupcake reception will follow the Circle Celebration. Please plan post-ceremony activities accordingly.Will there be refreshments?
There will be a short cupcake reception immediately following the celebration, to be located in the Blue Devil Cafe extension.Will there be refreshments?
There will be a short cupcake reception immediately following the celebration, to be located in the Blue Devil Cafe extension.