Lavender Graduation Awards

Awards and scholarships are presented annually at the Lavender Graduation Ceremony. Details about each individual award can be found below. To nominate a student, student organization, staff, or faculty please submit your nomination via the 2024 Lavender Graduation Awards Nomination Form by May 10, 2024 at 11:59pm.

Awards for Graduating Students

Al Aubin Service to the UCLA LGBTQ Community Award

Open to any graduating full time UCLA undergraduate or graduate student who has provided documented leadership and service to the UCLA LGBTQ community during the years of their current degree and who meets the following criteria:

Has demonstrated a commitment to LGBTQ advocacy
Articulates and shares a vision for the UCLA LGBTQ community
Maintains excellence in academic efforts
Inspires others and motivates the group
Brings out strengths and talents of individual group members
Makes themselves available to group members
Is committed to working with and for others
Demonstrates ongoing flexibility, initiative, creativity and perseverance in efforts
Made meaningful contribution to students and to UCLA
Values and works well with differences
Collaboratively includes other organization members in planning and implementing events
Addresses existing problems and values feedback from others
Utilizes different and creative approaches to educating and assisting members
Has different and creative approach to others or resolving conflict

Rae Lee Siporin LGBTQ Leadership Award

Open to any graduating full time UCLA graduate or undergraduate woman-identified student who has provided documented leadership and service to the UCLA LGBTQ community during the years of her current degree and who meets the following criteria:

Has demonstrated support of LGBTQ communities through dissemination of information and community outreach
Articulates and shares a vision for the UCLA LGBTQ community
Inspires and motivates others
Brings out strengths and talents of individuals and groups
Makes themselves available to group members
Is committed to working with and for others
Demonstrates ongoing flexibility, initiative, creativity and perseverance in efforts
Made meaningful contribution to students and to UCLA
Values and works well with differences
Collaboratively includes other organization members in planning and implementing events
Addresses existing problems and values feedback from others
Utilizes different and creative approaches to educating and assisting members
Has different and creative approaches to resolving conflict

Ezekiel “Zeke” Webber Leadership in Activism and Education Award

Has advocated for LGBTQ issues through education of others or within the realm of academic study
Maintains excellence in academic efforts
Demonstrates creative and productive approaches to addressing conflict and disparity
Made meaningful contribution to students and to UCLA
Inspires and motivates concern for LGBTQ issues in others

Dan Calder Excellence in Academics Award

Open to any graduating full time UCLA undergraduate student who has achieved and maintained academic excellence during the years of their current degree and who demonstrates ongoing flexibility, initiative, creativity and perseverance in efforts.

Awards for Graduating or Continuing Students

Matthew B. Palazzolo Memorial Award for Excellence in Leadership and Public Service

Established in 2021 to honor the life and legacy of LGBTQ activist, actor, and Bruin Matthew B. Palazzolo ‘05, this award is open to any full time UCLA undergraduate or graduate student (not necessarily graduating) who has provided leadership and service to the UCLA LGBTQ+ community during the years of their current degree and who meets the following criteria:

Has demonstrated excellence in leadership abilities
Has worked to address LGBTQ issues through community and public service

Curtis Shepard UCLA LGBTQ Leadership Award

Open to any full time UCLA graduate or undergraduate student (not necessarily graduating) who has provided documented leadership and service to the UCLA LGBTQ community during the years of their current degree and who meet the following criteria:

Has demonstrated leadership in organizing, coalition building, and/or improving campus climate
Articulates and shares a vision for the UCLA LGBTQ community
Inspires and motivates others
Brings out strengths and talents of individuals and groups
Makes themselves available to group members
Is committed to working with and for others
Demonstrates ongoing flexibility, initiative, creativity and perseverance in efforts
Made meaningful contribution to students and to UCLA
Values and works well with differences
Collaboratively includes other organization members in planning and implementing events
Addresses existing problems and values feedback from others
Utilizes different and creative approaches to educating and assisting members
Has different and creative approaches to resolving conflict

Charles E. Harless Graduate Student Leadership Award

Open to any UCLA graduate student who has provided documented leadership and service to the UCLA LGBTQ community during the year(s) of their current degree and who meets the following criteria:

Has demonstrated leadership efforts in building community for LGBTQ students in their discipline or industry
Articulates and shares a vision for the UCLA LGBTQ community
Inspires and motivates others
Brings out strengths and talents of individuals and groups
Makes themselves available to group members
Is committed to working with and for others
Demonstrates ongoing flexibility, initiative, creativity and perseverance in efforts
Made meaningful contribution to students and to UCLA
Values and works well with differences
Collaboratively includes other organization members in planning and implementing events
Addresses existing problems and values feedback from others
Utilizes different and creative approaches to educating and assisting members
Has different and creative approaches to resolving conflict

Awards for First or Second-Year Students

Ronni Sanlo Emerging Leader Award

Open to first year and second year students who have shown great potential as student leaders through their leadership efforts on campus at UCLA.

Has demonstrated experience as an emerging changemaker on-campus
Articulates and shares a vision for the UCLA LGBTQ community
Inspires and motivates others
Is committed to working with and for others
Demonstrates ongoing flexibility, initiative, creativity and perseverance in efforts
Made meaningful contribution to students and to UCLA
Values and works well with differences
Collaboratively includes other organization members in planning and implementing events
Addresses existing problems and values feedback from others
Utilizes different and creative approaches to educating and assisting members

Awards for Staff and Faculty

Student's Choice Outstanding Faculty Award

The Students' Choice Outstanding Faculty Award is presented to individuals in recognition of their outstanding contributions to the LGBTQ community during the past year. This award recognizes:

A lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, asexual, intersex, or ally faculty member for offering an LGBTQIA inclusive curriculum, or whose research, teaching and writing has raised awareness about LGBTQIA people, history and culture
Faculty whose work and presence contribute to an inclusive, respectful, and safe climate for the LGBTQIA community at UCLA

Some examples of demonstrated outstanding service to the LGBTQIA community are:

Participating in mentoring activities, being a role model, and/or providing a supportive presence for LGBTQIA students
Taking an active role in educating others and increasing the awareness of LGBTQIA issues and concerns
Active social justice advocacy for LGBTQIA individuals
Showcasing the diversity of the LGBTQIA communities by developing inclusive curriculum
Going beyond the requirements of one's job to advance the understanding of LGBTQIA people and/or improving the climate at UCLA for LGBTQIA people

Bridge Builder Award

The Bridge Builder Award recognizes staff and/or faculty who work tirelessly to enhance visibility and support through their professional roles and their personal commitment to the LGBTQ Community. As the name suggests, these individuals break barriers and bridge relationships to create change and awareness, making the campus an inclusive place for all of us.

Awards for Student Organizations

LGBTQ Organization of the Year

Beginning in 2014, the LGBTQ Campus Resource Center and Queer Culture Night partnered together to start a new award recognizing a student organization that has exemplified leadership and collaboration throughout the year and aligned with the Center’s vision and mission.

This award recognizes a student organization which has contributed to the mission and/or vision of the LGBTQ Campus Resource Center, collaborated with other LGBTQ orgs on campus, and fostered community among LGBTQ students at UCLA.