Senior Week 2019 brings blend of new and familiar traditions
Senior Week 2019 begins Monday, April 29, with several inaugural celebrations, culminating with two Commencement ceremonies on Friday, May 3 and Saturday, May 4. In addition to schools and colleges hosting events for graduating seniors throughout the week, the following University-wide events will also be observed:
At 7 p.m. Monday in UIndy Hall C, Schwitzer Student Center, the inaugural Lavender Graduation Celebration will be held for self-identified LGBTQ+ seniors. The event was organized by Jeffrey Barnes, director of University events, and Alex Kemery, assistant professor of nursing.
“Jeffrey and I are excited to celebrate the first Lavender Graduation at UIndy. This ceremony will allow us the opportunity to recognize the accomplishments of our LGBTQ+ students as they finish their degrees, and hopefully will become a new tradition on campus,” Kemery said.
The annual midnight breakfast and pre-party will get started at 8 p.m. Monday in the Shreve Atrium in Schwitzer Student Center. Seniors will be busy decorating their graduation caps. This event also features a pancake artist, latte artist, make-and-take novelties and more.
On Tuesday, President Robert L. Manuel hosts Picnic with the President in Schwitzer Park from 5 to 7 p.m.
Wednesday evening from 7 to 9 p.m. is Senior Week Trivia Night on the fourth-floor lounge of the Health Pavilion. Win a UIndy graduation basket, a professional clothing shopping spree, or dinner for two at St. Elmo’s. Register here.
Thursday evening from 6 to 8 p.m. in McCleary Chapel, the Black Student Association observes the Celebration of Success, a pre-commencement celebration to honor African and African-American students, who through unyielding determination have successfully completed an undergraduate or graduate degree from the University of Indianapolis.
Also on Thursday evening, the Student Organization of Latinos will host the inaugural SOL Latino Graduation event in the Health Pavilion atrium. SOL’s vice president of communications, Alondra Romero ’22 (business administration and management), explained, “We are very excited to start this new tradition of congratulating Latino seniors for their accomplishments! This will be the first time SOL has organized a graduation ceremony and SOL wanted to show that we are very proud of them and thank them for their time here at UIndy.”
On Friday, the Center for Global Engagement will host an inaugural brunch and awards ceremony for international students who are graduating.
For the first time, the University of Indianapolis will hold separate ceremonies for graduate and undergraduate students. The Graduate Commencement Ceremony will take place at 7 p.m. Friday in Nicoson. The Class of 2019 Reception will be held at the Skyline Club in downtown Indianapolis from 8 to 10:30 p.m. The Undergraduate Commencement Ceremony takes place at 11 a.m. Saturday at Key Stadium.