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Affinity group ceremony recognizes diverse student groups in Class of 2024

May 22, 2024

a person placing a stole over a graduate
Belonging and Community Justice hosted a ceremony on May 11 for Class of 2024 graduates who had been involved with various affinity groups during their time at Emory. More than 140 students attended with their supporters.
a group performing music
Belonging and Community Justice hosted a ceremony on May 11 for Class of 2024 graduates who had been involved with various affinity groups during their time at Emory. More than 140 students attended with their supporters.
a person placing a stole over a graduate's neck
Belonging and Community Justice hosted a ceremony on May 11 for Class of 2024 graduates who had been involved with various affinity groups during their time at Emory. More than 140 students attended with their supporters.
a person with a trombone and one with a saxophone
Belonging and Community Justice hosted a ceremony on May 11 for Class of 2024 graduates who had been involved with various affinity groups during their time at Emory. More than 140 students attended with their supporters.
a person placing a stole over a graduate's neck
Belonging and Community Justice hosted a ceremony on May 11 for Class of 2024 graduates who had been involved with various affinity groups during their time at Emory. More than 140 students attended with their supporters.
a person placing a stole over a graduate's neck
Belonging and Community Justice hosted a ceremony on May 11 for Class of 2024 graduates who had been involved with various affinity groups during their time at Emory. More than 140 students attended with their supporters.
a group standing in front of balloons
Belonging and Community Justice hosted a ceremony on May 11 for Class of 2024 graduates who had been involved with various affinity groups during their time at Emory. More than 140 students attended with their supporters.
a group of people forming a heart with their hands
Belonging and Community Justice hosted a ceremony on May 11 for Class of 2024 graduates who had been involved with various affinity groups during their time at Emory. More than 140 students attended with their supporters.
a graduate and family members
Belonging and Community Justice hosted a ceremony on May 11 for Class of 2024 graduates who had been involved with various affinity groups during their time at Emory. More than 140 students attended with their supporters.
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More than 140 students graduating as part of Emory’s Class of 2024 were honored at a ceremony on May 11 for their achievements and their contributions to the university community. The event was hosted by Belonging and Community Justice (BCJ), a part of Campus Life. BCJ, which includes six affinity groups, promotes dynamic and cohesive learning by creating space for students’ individual, cultural and communal development. 

The graduation celebration featured speakers and cultural traditions from the Asian Pacific Islander Desi-American, Black/African American (Modupe Dayo), First-Generation and Low and Limited-Income, and Latinx (CARAS) communities. More than 400 people attended and cheered on the honorees.

Each graduate received a representative stole placed on their shoulders by someone who has been a support for them, such as a parent, partner, friend or faculty member. The honorees could wear the stoles again at Commencement. 


Previous student graduate recognitions

Earlier in the semester, the Graduating Women of Promise ceremony, held in conjunction with the annual Women of Excellence Awards, honored graduating women who have demonstrated leadership, inclusivity and a commitment to making Emory a better place for all. 

The annual Lavender Graduation ceremony was held in conjunction with the Pride Awards. Graduating LGBTQIA+ students were honored and acknowledged for their achievements and contributions to the university.

three African-American women holding up certificates for "Graduating Women of Promise" from Emory University
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- Photos by American Technologies.