Multicultural Graduation Celebration
A display of multicultural graduation stoles.
DISC is honored to host the 2024 Multicultural Graduation Celebration:
Wednesday, May 8th at 4pm
Strand Union Building's Procrastinator Theater with a reception to follow in Leigh Lounge.
Students who are graduating in Spring '24 or Fall '24 are welcome to participate in this celebration.
The Diversity Inclusion Student Commons’ Multicultural Graduation Ceremony recognizes the achievements of graduating students through a meaningful celebration and presentation of culturally relevant stoles to wear at commencement. Inaddition to highlighting and honoring the accomplishments of students, the celebration provides students with an opportunity to express their appreciation to members of the community who have supported them along the way. The celebration also includes a presentation of DISC Leader Awards tomembers of the MSU community who work to break down barriers, advance cultural appreciation in our community, or model excellence in cultural leadership.
Asian, Asian-American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) students include the Asian Diaspora from East Asian, Southeast Asian, South Asian, Southwest Asian, Central Asian, West Asian, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander identities. Graduating students select a stole that reflects their cultural identity, or they may choose a red stole which remains inclusive of the diversity of AAPI cultures. The significant nature of red varies across cultures and has been symbolic of success, bravery, life, power, positivity, and victory.
Kente Cloth is a symbolic part of celebrations that acknowledge the academic and cultural achievements of graduating Black, African-American, and African students from countries including the United States, Ghana, Nigeria, Liberia, and others.Graduating students select a Kente Cloth stole that reflects their cultural identity. Colors on Kente Cloth are full of meaning, such as gold for status, green for renewal, and black for uniting with ancestors. Symbols, such as a key for wisdom or an ankh for eternal life, bring additional meaning.
Serape or sarape material is an important part of celebrations that acknowledge the academic and cultural achievements of graduating Hispanic and Latino/a/x students from countries including the United States, Mexico, Peru, Colombia, and more.Graduating students select a serape stole that reflects their cultural identity. While the origins of this traditional striped fabric are partially unknown, it is used across a variety of Latino/a/x and Hispanic cultures and carries familial and regional significance.
Montana State University students hail from all corners of the state, the United States of America, and the world. Graduates share their traditions at the DISC Celebrations by receiving stoles that may include national flags, colors, images or fabrics that reflect the graduate's cultural heritage and personalize the graduation experience.
