Ohio University’s Pride Center and Alumni Association invite graduating students and their supportive guests to join in this celebration of community as we near the end of the 2023-2024 academic year and hold space for students graduating. Graduating Ohio University seniors will be invited to share remarks about their higher education journeys and may wear free commencement pride swag retrieved from the Pride Center Mon. – Fri., 8 a.m. – 5 pm., to wear during both our Pride Graduate Recognition event and Commencement. Our Pride Center's Spring 2024 Pride Graduate Recognition and Community Celebration will feature a special alumni keynote address and be held in a hybrid format in Baker Center 240/242 (1Park Pl., Athens, OH 45701) and via Microsoft Teams. Dinner will be provided to in-person attendees.

While this event is focused on graduating Ohio University students with connections to our local LGBTQ+ community, we welcome local high school students who are graduating (and their supporters) to join in the celebration and to be recognized. Priority registration for in-person participation will be given to graduating students and their guests.

Please feel free to forward this calendar invitation to graduating LGBTQ+ students and those who support them.

Graduating Ohio University Students register using this link:  https://ohio.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_7Vu7enjuXAi6CTs

All others, register to attend in-person or online using this link:  https://ohio.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_dm8UvWKCY38EdcW

Buffet Menu:

[forthcoming]

Keynote Speaker Details:

Lacey Rogers (she/her) is a Cincinnati native, but has called Athens, OH home since 2006. Following the Goldilocks approach she found her way to Athens after deciding of the 3 schools she applied to that University of Cincinnati was too close to home, OSU was too big and OU was just right (not to mention being drawn in by the beauty of Athens in fall during her first visit there)! Now a three-time Ohio University graduate,Lacey holds a BSVC in Commercial Photography (2011), a BA in Women’s and Gender Studies (2011), a M.Ed. in Clinical Mental Health and Rehabilitation Counseling (2014) and a Master’s in Public Administration (2016). 

Lacey currently works in the Mayor’s Office where she serves as the inaugural DEIA (diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility) Coordinator for the City of Athens. Lacey is also a Licensed Professional Counselor, who historically focused on working with members of the LGBTQ+ community. Lacey is the lead organizer for the PRISM LGBTQ+ Youth Art Program, a free weekly afterschool arts-based program for LGBTQ+ youth ages 12-18. Additionally, she serves as the Mayor’s liaison to the Commission on Disabilities and Athens Community Relations Commission. 

Lacey has a long history of activism work, but most recently this has included working with a team to facilitate bystander intervention trainings at the Athens Middle School, being one of the facilitators for the Exploring Race, Antiracism and Equity Together group at Athens High School, working closely with the Andrew Jackson Davison Clubs to raise awareness about local Black History and serving as part of the leadership team for the Racial Equity Coalition of Athens County (RECAC). Over the years Lacey has received a number of awards for her contributions to various social justice initiatives, most recently she was named one of the recipients for the 2024 Jenco Award through the Foundation for Appalachian Ohio for her visionary leadership and activism in serving others throughout the region.

As a lesbian biracial woman, Lacey brings a unique perspective to the Athens community. Recognizing the voices of POC (people of color), particularly female-identified POC, often get dismissed, unaccounted for or lost, Lacey is committed to speaking up and out when she witnesses injustices and helping others find their voice. In her spare time Lacey enjoys cooking/baking, hanging with her pup Luna and playing weekly trivia as part of the team Feminists Against Team Names.