The link to register for Spring graduation will open in Spring 2023.
Lotus Laureate Graduation
Thank you for your interest in the Lotus Laureate graduation which highlights and celebrates our Asian-Pacific Islander-Desi American identities on campus!
Celebrate Lotus Laureate Excellence
The Intercultural Student Engagement Center collaborates with UTA numerous departments, in addition to cultural and ethnic student groups, to coordinate identity and culturally based graduation ceremonies that complement the University’s commencement celebrations. These cultural celebrations acknowledge the value and uniqueness of underrepresented student experiences and serve to commemorate and highlight the accomplishments of individuals within a familial and cultural context.
History of the Lotus Laureate Graduation
As the University of Texas at Arlington (UTA) is an Asian American Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institution (AANAPISI), the Intercultural Student Engagement Center partners with various academic partners and student organizations representing Asian-Pacific Islander-Desi American identities.
At UTA, the inaugural Lotus Laureate Graduation occurred in May 2023 with the hopes to celebrate our Asian Pacific Islander graduates. It was organized by a group of committed students, faculty, and staff. The Intercultural Student Engagement Center includes graduation as part of its yearly programming and works directly with a student-led planning committee.
The ceremony includes various Asian and Pacific Islander cultural elements and graduates are given the opportunity to publicly thank individuals who have helped them throughout their educational careers. The Lotus Laureate Ceremony is a chance for friends and family to join students in celebrating their success and accomplishments in college.
The UTA Lotus Laureate Ceremony was originally inspired by a ceremony with the identical title at University of Arizona, highlighting Asian-Pacific Islander-Desi American scholars amongst key University and community leaders from all disciplines.
Today, there are various celebrations similar to the Lotus Laureate on many college campuses across the country!
Lotus Laureate Graduations FAQ
Any UTA student (undergraduate or graduate) who will be graduating in Spring 2023 can participate. We provide stoles for the following identities:
- Kente Stoles (Evening of Black Excellence) – African, African American, Black identities
- Serape Stoles (Celebrando El Exito) – Hispanic/Latinx identities
- Satin Stoles (Lotus Laureate) - Asian, Pacific Islander Identities
Yes! The registration form serves to inform the graduation committees to include in their programs, how many students to expect, etc. While we would like to provide a stole and celebrate every graduating senior, stoles are limited so please register early!
Registration is open! Register here.
Yes. This is NOT an application for the overall UTA graduation. It is an application for identity/cultural based graduation ceremonies that complement the University’s commencement celebrations.
As many as you would like!
What does it cost? Nothing! It is FREE for you, your family, and your friends.
While the Intercultural Student Engagement Center only hosts identity-based graduation ceremonies during the Spring semester, those graduating in December can sign up for this graduation or still purchase a stole at https://www.midwestglobalgroup.com/ or https://www.jostens.com/graduation/college/stoles
There are a variety of options for purchasing stoles and students are not required to use the same vendor as the Intercultural Student Engagement Center.
If you have any questions, please feel free to email us at cesc@uta.edu