At last week’s Student Government Association (SGA) meeting student representatives tabled a proposal to give $2000 to a multicultural graduation ceremony being designed for this upcoming spring commencement season. Having conversed with peers and considered the decision SGA came back together Wednesday for more discussion on the event and to vote.
The multicultural graduation celebration is planned for Friday April 29 before the standard commencement ceremony. Inspiration and planning for the event began last spring by a group of Seaver students now seniors who then had the idea accepted and partially sponsored by Intercultural Affairs Dean Rick Marrs and President Andrew K. Benton.
Senior Julian Cotton helped construct the event and believes it is a step in the right direction of multicultural diversity at Pepperdine.
“This is a manifestation of Pepperdine’s mission of diversity he said. It’s not enough to just say that you want more people of diversity here whether through race religion or nationality. It’s more important on how you act on that.”
During the Wednesday morning discussion SGA members questioned the specific cultural expressions that this event will have that normal commencement leaves out. The event representatives informed the group that an Italian folk music group will perform along with several student faculty and keynote speakers that will focus on celebrating diversity.
“We need to disassociate ‘multiculturalism’ from just race senior Justin Clardy said at the SGA meeting. We all gather our culture through a vast array of ways.”
The individuals proposing the event also stated that this type of celebration occurs at many other prestigious universities around the country including those that Pepperdine considers “aspirational institutions” such as the University of Notre Dame. Notre Dame holds several graduation celebrations for Native American Latino and African-American student body populations.
Senior Danielle Dillihunt the final member of the presenting group clarified that this celebration would include those elements of cultural recognition without the staunch separation.
“We will have all these different cultures together said Dillihunt. We’ll all be recognized equally as a group. Not just African-American or Asian but everyone together celebrating as a group.”
Being the first and trial year of this event the celebration will be held in Smothers Theatre accommodating only 150 of the near approximated 500 graduating seniors allowing for three guests per student.
“With the size limit to only 150 students it feels exclusive said first-year SGA senator, Kim Gao.
Clardy confirmed that the late progression of event plans left Smothers as the best option, limiting the number of students and family members able to attend.
As the years progress we hope to see it move from Smothers to the gym then from the gym to Alumni [Park] said Clardy. Down the road it’s going to be a beautiful thing where hundreds and hundreds of students are able to participate.”
Another stumbling block for members of the SGA representing the greater student body was that while culture should be celebrated graduation is about academic achievement alone. Senior Danielle Dillihunt expressed her opinion of the necessity to address other aspects of commencement.
“Just academics and my specific major do not define me said Dillihunt. This event will show the university’s recognition of my unique culture and unite all students with a variety of different cultures.”
Justin Clardy the first college graduate from his family said that for some “underrepresented minorities getting to college is a rare feat and should be celebrated. Graduation is more than just an academic achievement.”
The presenting group also reminded the SGA group that graduation is not only as a time for students to feel academic achievement but also for families to show pride and support of the graduating student.
“How special is it if I’m an international student from Ghana or China and my parents get to see not only my academic achievement but that my culture and ethnicity are on the vanguard?” asked Clardy. “That may mean more to those families than we may realize.”
SGA senior senator Owen Lloyd accepted the proposal to help fund the event based on the fact that the event would go beyond scholastic achievement to honor the seniors.
“We shouldn’t focus on the graduation portion but more of the celebration aspect said Lloyd.
After the discussion closed, SGA amended the funding amount and the vote was held. With a passing vote, the multicultural graduation will now be granted $1,000 from SGA.
Believing it to be a complement to the regular commencement ceremony, Julian Cotton hopes that students will take advantage of the event as a way to increase their own cultural awareness.
If you don’t feel welcome at this event that is something that you missed something you should have been educated on here at Pepperdine Cotton said. Here is an opportunity for you to understand your own cultural importance and celebrate it with other people.”
Advertisements for the celebration are being sent in the mail to graduates’ families in the upcoming weeks and will detail the process of online registration for the event.
Hoping for maximum support and attendance Cotton believes that “the power of this event lies with those who choose to attend it.”