Latinx Graduation Celebration

What is a Latinx Graduation Celebration?

Latinx Graduation Celebrations are annual ceremonies held on numerous campuses across the country to recognize the academic and cultural achievements of graduating Hispanic and Latino/a/x students. Students are gifted sarape stoles that are a meaningful token and symbol to commemorate their college experience. 

The origins of “sarape” or “serape” material is partially unknown. It may have evolved from the Spanish cape or capa, which was a large overcoat with an open front and often a hood. It may have evolved from the Aztec tilma, a semi-poncho tied at the shoulder, depicted in painted codices dating back to the 1640s. Now, sarape fabric is used across a variety of cultures. In the U.S., it has been used as material for a symbolic stole that Hispanic and Latino/a/x graduates wear during graduation to share their pride in their accomplishments and culture.

How do we celebrate these traditions at MSU?

Graduating Latino/a/x or Hispanic students will have the opportunity to be recognized during the Diversity and Inclusion Student Commons' Multicultural Graduation Celebration. This Celebration recognizes Latino/a/x or Hispanic students and acknowledges their achievements of successfully completing the college experience. The Multicultural Graduation Celebration is an event Latino/a/x or Hispanic students can look forward to, as they are opportunities for students to be officially recognized and celebrated by the institution for their achievements. 

As our graduating students are from a variety of countries (e.g. United States, Mexico, Peru, Colombia, etc.), this year, we chose stole colors for each graduate based on the significant colors in the flags of each country that they identify with the most.

Previous Latinx Graduation Celebration Participants

2020 Latinx Celebration Graduates

	Anna O. Couch B.A. in English Writing Born in Austin Texas, Anna Couch has called Bozeman home for the past nine years. Anna will graduate from Montana State University with a Bachelor of Arts in English Writing and a minor in women, gender and sexuality studies. She cultivates a link between these two disciplines by aiming to destigmatize sexual health. She has volunteered and interned at Bridgercare for over a year; this experience led her to publishing her work in Montana Parent. Her passion for sexual health education is not to make people blush but because she firmly believes that sexual health is public health.
	Chelsey M. Trevino B.S. in Environmental Science Dedicated to freshwater resources, I intend to help protect this valuable resource for future generations. Originally from Oklahoma and have lived in Montana for 6 years. Music, family, and water conservation are just a few of my favorite things.
	Clarissa M. DeLeon B.S. in Electrical Engineering and a minor in Optics and Photonics My name is Clarissa DeLeon, I came to MSU in August 2016 to begin  my B.S. in Electrical Engineering and eventually added a minor in Optics and Photonics. My father was in the Air Force, so I have lived in a lot of places, but I mainly grew up in Eagle River, AK.  The last four years have taught me a lot, through school clubs,  being a smartycats tutor for a little bit, and being actively involved in research. I am taking what I have learned and how much I have grown into my next adventure which is starting my PhD at University of Arizona Wyant College of Optical Sciences.
	Elizabeth Gomez B.S. in Psychology and B.S. in Sociology I am a first generation college student and first woman from my family to graduate from a university. I am a double major in psychology and sociology, concentration criminology. I plan on attending law school in fall of 2021.
	Rachel Dinkle B.A. in Environmental Design My name is Rachel Dinkel, I am graduating in May 2020 with a Bachelors of Arts in Environmental Design from the School of Architecture under the College of Arts and Architecture. I am from Colorado Springs, CO but have started to call Bozeman, MT my second home. I will continue my education at Montana State University in the Fall of 2020 to start my Masters of Architecture degree.
	Roman P. Oliman B.A. in Political Science My family originates from Cholula in the state of Puebla, Mexico.  My grandfather came to the United States through the Bracero Program and started a bakery called La Poblana in Santa Ana, CA.  We still have family in Mexico and operate a ranch in Puebla to this day. I will be the first Oliman to earn a college degree, and I hope to use it to make this country a better place. I owe everything to my parents, professors, and God.
	Sarah Martinez M.S. in Counseling Sarah is originally from Southern California and comes from a big, mixed Mexican/American family. Sarah is looking forward to serving clients of all nationalities in her work as a Marriage and Family Counselor. She would like to thank her family and friends for supporting her through this journey, especially her husband and children who have sacrificed just as much as she has. Sarah has lived in Bozeman for 10 years and looks forward to serving the community for many years to come.
	Vanessa Z. Moreno Associate of Arts I was born and raised in Bogota, Colombia; where all my family is from. I moved to the United States when I was 17. I wanted to go to college in the U.S. I am hoping to pursue a double degree on Psychology and Business Management. My goal is to work with non-profits that help women and young adults
	Victor Knight B.S. in Biological and Chemical Engineering I was born and raised in Las Vegas, Nevada where I grew my interests in science and medicine. I got my Eagle Scout in 2015 and moved to Bozeman Montana to pursue my passion in building a better world for tomorrow.
	Alexander Pineda B.S. in Mechanical Engineering Me encanta jugar futbol y inclusivo verlo.