Lavender Graduation 2009
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
3:30-5:30pm, Copley Formal
2009 KEYNOTE SPEAKER
D.C. Councilmember David Catania
Councilmember David Catania was the first openly gay member of the D.C. Council. First elected in 1997 he was re-elected to full terms on the Council in 1998, 2002, and 2006.
Councilmember Catania chairs the Committee on Health and serves on the Finance and Revenue and Libraries, Parks, and Recreation Committees. Catania has championed legislative initiatives that focus on improving healthcare for uninsured and low-income residents, tackling the HIV/AIDS epidemic, expanding drug treatment options for victims of substance abuse, and providing incentives for medical professionals to assist the underserved.
Councilmember Catania earned a B.S. from the Georgetown University School of Foreign Service and a J.D. from the Georgetown University Law Center.
2009 LAVENDER GRADUATION PROGRAM
Welcome
Sivagami Subbaraman
Director, LGBTQ Resource Center
Provost Welcome
James O’Donnell, Ph.D.
Keynote Speaker
D.C. Councilmember David Catania
Georgetown University, SFS ’90, Law ’94
GU Pride Co-Chairs
Shruti Dusaj & Joseph Graumann
Presentation of Awards
Todd Olson, Ph.D.
Vice President, Student Affairs
LGBTQ Resource Center
Matthew LeBlanc
Program Coordinator, LGBTQ Resource Center
Presentation of Graduates
Tommaso Astarita, Ph.D.
Professor, Department of History
Dinner and Reception
2009 CELEBRATION PARTNERS
- Office of the Provost
- Office of Mission & Ministry
- Office of Faculty & Staff Benefits
- Division of Student Affairs
2009 AWARD RECIPIENTS
COMMITMENT TO THE LGBTQ COMMUNITY ON CAMPUS
Presented to: Jack Harrison
This Award recognizes excellence to the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Questioning and Ally communities at Georgetown University. With a friendly and outgoing personality, Jack has welcomed and made many students, especially those that are LGBTQ, feel a home here at Georgetown. Jack has spent much of his time programming and raising awareness to voices that are rarely heard here on campus. As a member of the Gu Pride board Jack pushes individuals to their limits by always challenging people to rethink their perspectives. He spearheaded the first Gender liberation week, and with two successful years it has become an integral part of GU Pride programming. He has been a vital ally to many student organizations on campus and his passion, love for the work, and friendliness will be sorely missed.
COMMITMENT TO THE LGBTQ COMMUNITY OFF CAMPUS
Presented to: Jenna Lowenstein
This award recognizes excellence to the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Questioning and Ally communities beyond Georgetown University. Jenna is an individual who has shown exemplary commitment to the LGBTQ community in DC, and beyond. She served on the board of directors for the National Stonewall Democrats for a year. Presently, she is very involved with the DC for Marriage organization. On the queer blogosphere, Jenna blogs for the 365gay blog and helps edit thenewgay blog. Aside from her involvement with LGBT issues, specifically, Jenna has been very involved with progressive politics in general and is a former vice-president of the Georgetown University College Democrats. She was also the Georgetown University student representative on the Advisory Neighborhood Council.
OUTSTANDING LGBTQ OR ALLY INVOLVEMENT IN STUDENT LIFE
Presented to: John Swan
This award recognizes excellence for integrating the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Questioning and Ally communities into broader student life at Georgetown University. John served as Editor in Chief of the Hoya during Spring 08, the semester that marked the culmination of the Out for Change campaign. In his role as Editor in Chief, John brought the campus’s attention to issues affecting the LGBTQ community. He also made the courageous decision to choose the then-Pride co-chairs as the Hoya’s choice for “People of the Year.” Before his position as Editor in Chief, John was senior editor for the Guide section of the Hoya.
Presented to: Jen Nguyen
Jen has dedicated her four years at Georgetown to service and social justice. In her four years at DC Schools, she moved from her position as an English as a Second Language tutor and van driver to the Parent Program coordinator. She is a founding member of the Vietnamese Students’ Association and currently serves as its community service chair. Within the LGBT community, she facilitated OUTspoken, a a peer led discussion and support group. She plans on continuing to combine her love of service and teaching next year as part of Teach for America
OUTSTANDING ALLY TO THE COMMUNITY
Presented to: Nick Sementelli
This award recognizes the courage to work for equity and equality for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Questioning and Ally communities at Georgetown UniversityNick exemplifies what it means to be an Ally to the LGBTQ community.
As an Ally he led the fight for equality on campus at a time when so few others stepped forward. His service as co-chair of GU Pride during his Sophomore year demonstrated an outstanding commitment to working for the rights of others. This commitment extended beyond his term to the Out for Change Campaign and to increasing LGBTQ involvement in Hoya Blue, the athletic spirit group. This year he facilitated collaboration between GU Pride and Hoya Blue in supporting our women’s basketball team and assisting in the March for Community.
OUTSTANDING FACULTY MEMBER
Presented to: Natsu Onoda Power
This award recognizes the vision in programming and creating space for the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Questioning and Ally students at Georgetown University. Her production of the “T Party” Natsu Onoda Power worked with both the local Transgender Education Association and collaborated with Georgetown students to explore LGBTQ issues on campus and in the D.C. metro area. Her inventive production asked audience members to explore the experiences and multiplicities of the ‘letter T’ which is all too often ignored and marginalized within and outside the LGBTQ community. From her support and enthusiasm during the student-lead Out For Change campaign to her roles as professor, theater director and mentor, Natsu Onoda Power has been and will continue to be a major contributor to both the student and academic life at Georgetown University.
OUTSTANDING ADMINISTRATOR
Presented to: Fr. Phil Boroughs, S.J.
This award recognizes leadership, vision and commitment to Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Questioning and Ally communities at Georgetown University. Through his work as the Vice-President for Mission and Ministry, Fr. Boroughs has been an outstanding ally and friend of the LGBTQ community here at Georgetown. He has gone great lengths to open up dialogue around LGBTQ issues in response to the Out for Change campaign and has been a staunch supporter of the Resource Center and Pride in all their doings. Today we honor him for his commitment to creating space for all LGBTQ identified students, faculty and staff as they seek to live out the Jesuit ideals that are central to Georgetown and to Fr. Boroughs himself.