Binghamton honors student diversity and achievement at Commencement ceremonies
The Q Center and Multicultural Resource Center hold end-of-year celebrations
Navigating higher education is challenging for many students. Those from historically underrepresented or marginalized communities, such as first-generation, immigrant, socio-economically disadvantaged, or LGBTQ+ students, often face additional barriers and have access to fewer resources.
To recognize the remarkable achievements of these students, the University and the Division of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) honor their resilience and accomplishments with Commencement-related ceremonies that pay tribute to their determination and success and contribution to the campus community.
Rainbow cords and Pride Awards
On Monday, May 4, the Q Center hosted its annual Lavender Celebration to recognize the achievements and resilience of LGBTQ+ students. Held in the Old Union Hall, the event included refreshments, a cording ceremony, and end-of-year awards.
The ceremony opened with welcoming remarks by Q Center Associate Director Nick Martin and Carmen Jones, DEI assistant vice president, who also introduced Matthew Winston, executive director for alumni engagement.
Mansha Rahman, who is graduating with a bachelor’s in graphic design and Spanish language and literature, delivered the 2026 student address, and Melvin Whitehead, assistant professor in higher education and student affairs, was the evening’s keynote speaker.
The Pride Awards are an annual tradition celebrating students, faculty and staff who have made significant contributions to the LGBTQ+ campus community.
2026 Pride Awards winners
Sunshine Award Diethinia Rollins
Community Service Award Grace Johnston
Student Organization Queer of the Year Emily Leighton
Student Organization Queer Event of the Year SHADES Sex Carnival “Sexpocalypse”
Activism Award Mims Harrington
OUTstanding Grad Award Mansha Rahman
Faculty/Staff Advocacy in Action Kelly Madden
Erin Hansen, Q Center coordinator, joined Martin to announce cord recipients. More than 100 undergraduates and graduate students received rainbow cords representing the colors in the original Pride Flag.
MRC recognizes outstanding student cultural organizations, individuals
On Wednesday, May 6, the Multicultural Resource Center (MRC) hosted its annual Cultural Recognition Ceremony, celebrating individuals and student organizations for their leadership, impact, and commitment to the University’s key values of identity, unity, and excellence.
Opening remarks were delivered by Leonel Diaz, director of intercultural affairs, and MRC Assistant Director Marc-Leonce Volcy served as master of ceremonies.
MRC Student Manager Alyssa Soto ‘26, a psychology major and president of the Caribbean Student Association, was the student speaker, and Harpur College’s Marisol Marcin, a professor of global studies and romance languages, provided the keynote address.
Student organizations and individuals were nominated and selected by the MRC community, and honored organizations received funding for programming initiatives.
2026 Award winners
Multicultural Program of the Year Pageant, Latin American Student Union (LASU)
Multicultural Student Organization of the Year The Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE)
Multicultural Pre-Professional Organization ColorStack
Multicultural Performance Organization Quimbamba Latin Dance Team
Multicultural Fraternity/Sorority Omega Phi Beta Sorority Inc.
Distinguished Diversity Service Award Monica Adams
Exceptional Graduate Student of the Year Zunaira Yousaf
The Milton Chester Phenom Undergraduate Student of the Year Eduardo Alvarez
This year, 135 students were recognized and awarded with green, black, and silver cords representing the knowledge, strength, and insight they gained through their academic journey. The green cord celebrates the acquisition of knowledge and skills, the black cord honors the resilience of multicultural students, and the silver cord reflects the wisdom gained from their experiences.