The Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, the College of Arts and Sciences, and the Dean of Students office are proud to host our graduates at the inaugural Circle Celebration, Sunday, April 23, 2023. Hosted by the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Advisory Council of LTU, this affinity event is different from the official LTU 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. We will present the 2023 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 graduating student government president JaJuan Jones and a special guest speaker for our keynote, Dr. Michelle Lollie, an advanced laser scientist, Southfield native, and the first Black female Ph.D. graduate from the Louisiana State University Department of Physics and Astronomy. 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 if they choose.
Date: April 23, 2023, Sunday
Time: 3pm - 6pm
Event Address: On the campus of
Lawrence Technological University
21000 West 10 Mile Rd. Southfield, MI 48075
Registration: https://forms.gle/yiM1JgsYfMw83L9Y6
Contacts: ODEI@LTU.EDUGo Blue!
Go White!
Go Blue Devils!
FAQ:
Who should Register:
Alumni who graduated December 2022 or students who have petitioned and will graduate from LTU by August of 2023. Registration is required to be participate in this celebration.
Deadlines:
Registration is mandatory for graduates only in order to participate in this event. Registration will close April 14, 2023.
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.
What will the graduate receive?
All registered graduates will receive a special stole, that can be worn at their LTU Commencement Ceremony.
What do I wear?
All graduates who plan to participate in the Circle Celebration must purchase and wear the LTU approved graduation cap.
All guests in attendance can wear business casual.
What if I am not able to attend the 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 23, 2023, in the Taubman Student Services Center Building. Stoles can be retrieved, with LTU or governmental identification, Monday - Friday 9am - 3:30pm EST. Please email ODEI@LTU.EDU if other accommodations are needed.
How many guests are registrants allowed?
Although seating will be limited due to the size of the space, we invite you to celebrate this accomplishment with the people who supported you during your journey to graduation.
Accommodations and Accessibility?
The Atrium is located in the Buell Management Building (building #5). A sign-language interpreter will be available. Sensory Sensitive Space (S3) will be accessible.
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:
- All graduates who plan to participate in the Circle Celebration must wear an LTU approved graduation cap.
- 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.