Cultural Achievement Ceremonies
Virginia Tech is honored to host cultural achievement ceremonies for our community members.
Students who are graduating this Spring semester and wish to participate must register through the links provided below. You may register for as many events as you would like.
More Cultural Ceremonies will be added to this page as they become available. Please keep checking back!
Ceremony: May 12, 2023 at 1:30 PM EST
Reception: Immediately following ceremony
Location: Brush Mountain A & B
Aliyah is a celebration of Jewish undergraduate and graduate students at Virginia Tech organized by the Jewish Student Union (JSU). The ceremony recognizes students for their hard work and dedication to the Jewish community and has historically featured a speaker from campus. Students receive a blue and white stole that they can choose to wear during University commencement ceremonies.
Students who wish to participate in the ceremony, please complete this online registration form.
Ceremony: May 12, 2023 at 5:30 - 7:30 PM EST
Reception: Immediately following ceremony in Graduate Life Center Multipurpose Room
Location: Graduate Life Center Auditorium
This event celebrates the accomplishments of Asian Pacific Islander Desi American (APIDA) graduating students. Participating students receive a commemorative cord, which can be worn with their academic regalia, as well as a certificate, and are invited to celebrate their culture and academic achievements at Virginia Tech.
For those wishing to attend as well as for graduating students who would like to participate please complete this online registration form.
Ceremony: Thursday, May 4, 2023 at 2:00 PM EST
Reception: Immediately following ceremony
Location: Arlington Campus 900 N. Glebe Road Arlington, VA
The Washington, DC area expanded campuses will host the inaugural Affinity Groups Cultural Achievement Ceremony to celebrate the accomplishments of our graduating master’s and Ph.D. students who identify with the following communities: Veterans, Latinx, Black, First-Generation, GRAD Parents, and Women in TECH. Participating students receive a commemorative stole that can be worn with their academic regalia during university commencement ceremonies.
An important hallmark of this ceremony is celebrating the graduates from our collective affinity groups with their faculty advisors, colleagues, and family. Graduate students who wish to attend are asked to complete this online registration form by April 13.
Ceremony: Monday, May 8, 2023 at 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Reception: Immediately following ceremony
Location: Moss Arts Center outdoor amphitheater, Virtual Modality: via Zoom (Link to come!)
The Disability Community Achievement Ceremony recognizes the achievements of disabled graduating students. In collaboration with the Disability Alliance and Caucus, Services for Students with Disabilities, and with the help of OID, we hope you can join us to celebrate for the third year!
Participating graduating students will be able to receive a commemorative cord that they can wear with other regalia during graduation. Please make sure to complete this online registration form to RSVP.
Ceremony: Wednesday, May 10, 2023 at 12 PM EST
Reception: Immediately following ceremony
Location: Squires Student Center, Commonwealth Ballroom
The first Cultural Achievement Ceremony at Virginia Tech, the inaugural Donning of the Kente was held just before spring Commencement in 1995 as a celebration of African American heritage. In the 28 years since, the ceremony has continued with growing participation from graduates, parents, faculty, and alumni. Over 580 people were in attendance in Spring of 2022.
The Donning of the Kente has a has a rich history outside the university as well, with the American tradition dating back to the 20th century, and the Kente cloth dating back centuries. At the ceremony, students adorn the Ghanaian Kente cloth graduation robe and gather with family, friends, and colleagues to celebrate undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral students. Graduates will also receive stoles, which can be worn at the University’s commencement ceremony.
Students who wish to participate in the ceremony, please complete this online registration form by April 30.
Ceremony: Friday, April 28, 2023 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Reception: Immediately following ceremony
Location: Squires Student Center, Colonial Hall
First Together is a celebration of achievement for first-generation undergraduate, graduate, and Ph.D. candidates. Participants students will receive an honor cord, which can be worn with their academic regalia. We welcome first-generation students, faculty, staff, and family to share in the recognition of this very special achievement. There will be a light reception following the ceremony. This event is limited to 200 attendees (including graduates, family members, and friends).
Students who wish to participate in the ceremony, please complete this online registration form. For questions about this event, email tcherryclarke@vt.edu.
Ceremony: May 11th, 2023 at 2:00 PM EST
Reception: Immediately following ceremony
Location: Ceremony - Commonwealth Ballroom A | Reception - Commonwealth Ballroom B
The Virginia Tech Gesta Latina, a Hispanic-Latinx achievement ceremony, has been an annual tradition since 2005. This celebration is an opportunity to celebrate our graduating seniors and graduate students through a cultural lens. All students that participate in the 2022 Gesta Latina Graduation Celebration, will receive a commemorative stole from El Centro, which can be worn with their academic regalia.
The Virginia Tech Gesta Latina, a Hispanic-Latinx achievement ceremony, has been an annual tradition since 2005. The ceremony, founded by Dr. Antonio Fernandez Vazquez, celebrates Latinx graduates and the community at Tech. Each year, one student is recognized with an award in Dr. Fernandez’ honor, which recognizes their significant contributions and outstanding service to the mission of El Centro.
For graduating students who want to receive their stoles and certificates, please fill out and complete this online registration form.
Ceremony: May 12, 2023 at 12:30 PM EST
Reception: Immediately following ceremony
Location: Indigenous Garden, 615 Southgate Drive. Rain Location: Brush Mountain
The American Indian and Indigenous ceremony was founded by Native student leaders in 2017 as a way to incorporate Native culture into graduation, as well as to celebrate the accomplishment of Native students. The ceremony has grown steadily since its beginning. At the ceremony, students will receive stoles for their cultural background and achievements and receive support and recognition from family, friends, alumni, and faculty/staff within the American Indian and Indigenous community at Virginia Tech.
Students who wish to participate in the ceremony, please fill out this online registration form.
Ceremony: May 11, 2023 at 6 PM EST
Reception: Immediately following ceremony
Location: GLC Auditorium & GLC Multipurpose Room
The annual Lavender Achievement Ceremony celebrates LGBTQ+ Virginia Tech graduates. The original ceremony, which began in 2009, featured 5 students and has grown to include more than 70 students in recent years. With great joy, the LGBTQ+ Caucus and LGBTQ+ Resource Center welcome family, friends, faculty, staff, students, and community members to celebrate this momentous occasion. Graduating attendees are presented with a lavender cord and tassel to wear during University and college ceremonies.
For students who would like to participate in this ceremony, please fill out this registration form.
Ceremony: May 9, 2023 at 11:00 a.m.
Reception: Immediately following ceremony
Location: Hahn Horticulture Garden
With great joy, the Recovery Community and Hokie Wellness welcome family, friends, faculty, staff, students, and community members to celebrate the achievements of the Virginia Tech graduates who have been part of the Virginia Tech Recovery Community. Graduating attendees are presented with a purple cord to wear during University and College ceremonies, as well as a Hokie Stone recovery chip to celebrate their recovery milestones. This event provides a safe, supportive, and substance-free space four our students and their supports to celebrate one another in their individual journeys overcoming addiction.
Ceremony: May 8, 2023 at 3:00 p.m.
Reception: Immediately following ceremony
Location: Peggy Lee Hahn Pavillin in the Hahn Horticulture Garden
Spring 2023 student veteran graduates are invited to participate in the Veteran Achievement Ceremony. At the ceremony, you will be presented with a military stole to be worn at your VT graduation ceremony.
All student veterans, including those attending the Washington, DC Affinity Groups Cultural Achievement Ceremony on May 4th, should complete this survey to make arrangements to receive your military stole.
Please use this form to register by April 24, 2023. Register early, as space and recourses may be limited. If you need to register for other ceremonies (including the Washington, DC Affinity Groups Ceremony) please find the other registration links here. You may skip any questions that do not apply to your affiliation.