Students, faculty, staff and alumni were honored during the University of Missouri-Kansas City 17th annual Lavender Graduation and Pride Awards Celebration.

“While this year has certainly been unconventional, it’s all the more reason for us to celebrate the accomplishments our incredible students have,” Kari Jo Freudigmann said in her welcome address.

Freudigmann is the assistant director for LGBTQIA Programs and Services in the Office of Student Involvement. The department organizes the annual banquet, which took place virtually on May 5 this year due to COVID-19.

“At its foundation, the Lavender Graduation ceremony celebrates the achievements of graduates across the spectrum of sexual and gender diversity,” Freudigmann said.

The event celebrates LGBTQIA graduates and Pride Award recipients. The awards recognize members of the UMKC community who have contributed to the betterment of the LGBTQIA community through education, support, programming or activism.

“These recipients have demonstrated not only a commitment to LGBTQIA equality, but represent a challenge for us to continually do better as a community, fulfilling our commitment to social justice,” Freudigmann said.

Kole Keeney (B.S. Computer Science ‘21) was the celebration’s keynote speaker. Keeney said when he was introduced to UMKC’s LGBTQIA programs and services four years ago, he “had no idea the opportunities it would lead to.”

“When I first came out as trans(gender) in my small town, I was afraid I was doomed to a life of hardship and loneliness, but once I set foot in the rainbow lounge, I realized that life still had the potential to be the exact opposite — to be filled with love, acceptance and most importantly, rainbows,” Keeney said during his speech. “Always remember that you make the world a better place, not in spite of who you are, but because of who you are.”

Outstanding Faculty & Staff Award, recognizes LGBTQIA, or allied facility and staff, who have contributed to a positive campus climate for LGBTQIA individuals.

• Alberto Villamandos, Ph.D., associate professor and chair of the Foreign Languages and Literature Department. Villamandos has changed the curriculum of undergraduate and graduate Spanish classes to include more queer people of color in readings. He also has open conversations in the classroom about intersex, lesbian, gay and bisexual liberation.

Jim Wanser Award, recognizes individuals who have volunteered hours of service to the UMKC LGBTQIA community or greater Kansas City LGBTQIA community.

• Bridget Wray is the publicity chair of the Sexuality and Gender Alliance Council and has provided leadership both on campus and in the greater Kansas City community. She helped develop Kansas City’s first LGBTQIA job fair, which featured over 25 employers and had over 300 attendees.

“Always remember that you make the world a better place, not in spite of who you are, but because of who you are.” — Kole Keeney

Outstanding Alumni Award, recognizes one UMKC alumnus who works toward fostering an inclusive community at UMKC, or in the community in which they live and work.

• Samantha Ruggles holds a nonprofit management degree from UMKC and is the former Executive Director of the Kansas City Center for Inclusion. During her time at KCCI, she turned Kansas City’s only queer center into a well-known establishment. Under her leadership, KCCI was able to build community partners, host multiple weekly events and host queer proms.

Collaborative Excellence Award, recognizes departments or campus organizations whose collaborative efforts have resulted in important resources and services for LGBTQIA students, faculty, staff or community members.

• Kim Kushner and the New Student and Family Program in the Office of Student Involvement. Even in the last year amid COVID restrictions, Kushner and her office connected LGBTQIA students with campus resources. She has done this through numerous tabling events in the Student Union, as well as through The First Semester Experience.

LGBTQIA Student of the Year, recognizes one student for outstanding leadership, dedication and service within the university of in the community.

• Elise Byers (’21), a School of Education graduate, served as Secretary of the Sexuality and Gender Alliance Council. The organization, which she previously served as Vice President, works to foster an environment of respect and appreciation around issues of diversity, including race, gender, ethnicity, social justice, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression. She was described by her nominator as “an advocate both inside and outside of the classroom.“It’s really nice to celebrate this and feel loved and safe, to feel comfortable and just proud,” Byers said. “I really loved being a part of UMKC and all of the queer groups on campus, which have been so welcoming and exciting to be a part of.”

All graduates were given a lavender stole to wear at commencement, which took place the weekend of May 15-16.