The annual Summit Ceremony celebrates LGBTQ+ and first-generation students
April 2026 – Drew University’s Office of Student Engagement hosted the annual Summit Ceremony, an inclusive celebration that recognizes the journeys and achievements of Drew’s LGBTQ+ and first-generation students.
As students navigate the challenges of higher education, especially those who are first-generation, LGBTQ+, or from historically underrepresented backgrounds, they can overcome obstacles that extend beyond the classroom. The Summit Ceremony is a testament to their resilience, perseverance, and triumphs.
The Summit Ceremony symbolizes the culmination of years of hard work and determination. It is not just a graduation milestone: it is a recognition of the past, a celebration of the present, and an inspiration for the future.
Speakers throughout the ceremony reflected on the significance of the Summit Ceremony as a celebration and a moment of transition, framing the event as a rite of passage. As part of the ceremony, each student was individually honored with graduation stoles and cords.
Coordinator of Student Engagement for Traditions & Large-Scale Programming Abigail Haven offered words of encouragement and belonging. “No matter where you go, and no matter when, and no matter what happens, please always remember that you always have a space at Drew. You deserve to be here.”
Associate Dean of Student Services Steph Mazzarella grounded the event in the history of Lavender Graduation, noting its origins as “an act of resistance” that has grown into a meaningful tradition of visibility and pride. She emphasized that the ceremony recognizes the full student experience, particularly for LGBTQ+ students navigating identity and belonging. “Your journey matters, your identity matters, and your success is worth celebrating exactly as you are,” she said.
Director of the Center for Civic Engagement Sean Hewitt offered a charge to graduates to move beyond survival and embrace the journey. “Let’s transition from a survival space to a thriving space,” he said. “There’s beauty in the struggle, but there’s joy when you are thriving. You do not have to do it alone.”
Johulin Zuluaga, student success advisor for the Center for Academic Excellence, spoke directly to first-generation students. “Being first generation is not just an identity, it’s a journey,” she said. “A journey that has taught many students their tenacity. We applaud your contributions to our community and hope that this is a reminder that what you have put out into The Forest matters, and that it will continue to impact future generations here.”
