Signature Events

The Cultural Center hosts large-scale social events celebrating milestones and significant events in our communities. Read more about our Signature Events below. 

 

Homecoming OUT 

This event is usually a co-sponsored partnership with DU’s Queer Student Alliance (QSA). The event is one of the first large-scale social events for the LGBT+ community at DU, often taking place near National Coming Out Day in the Fall. Local drag performers are invited to put on a show along with appetizers and other social engagements. The centerpiece of the event is a bright, rainbow painted door that you can walk through as you enter the room or use it as a photo opportunity to “come out of the closet.” 

 

Día de los Muertos 

Celebrating Día de los Muertos (DDLM) became a Cultural Center Tradition in the Fall of 2019. Our TCC team pulls together a subcommittee of dedicated students and staff to host a one-day celebration for DU students, families, and larger community to come together over food, drink, performances, and festivities. The Multicultural Greek Council and several other groups throughout the years collaborate to make a community ofrenda (alter) to create space to honor the lives and memories of loved ones, role models, and important ancestors who have passed. Participants are able to add to the ofrenda during the event. DDLM also brings in sugar skull painting, face painting, and performances by local Denver cultural organizations. Mark your calendars every year for this relatively new signature event! 

 

Ramadan 

Ramadan is an important month of fasting and reflection within the tradition of Islam, and this year is observed from the week of March 10 through early-April. Ramadan Mubarak to all those who observe! 

You can find links on this page to:

  • prayer space details, including information about the Muslim Prayer Room and multiple other locations across campus
  • student Ramadan dining details, including links through which students on the meal-plan may reserve boxed meals for pick-up, information about the various dates and milk pickup locations across campus, and information about special Iftar gatherings. 

Our web page provides meal information, information about prayer space and snack fridges across campus for breaking fast and information about iftar dinners. Visit our Ramadan page!

 

Pride Prom 

Many of our large-scale events are themed after experiences that people in the LGBT+ community may have missed out on or been excluded from in their youth because they did not feel safe bringing a same-sex partner or were not able to experience them with the gender identity they now hold. This event gives LGBT+ DU community members the opportunity to experience the Prom they deserve. This event is one of the last large-scale yearly LGBT+ social gatherings the Cultural Center hosts and occurs in Spring. The dance typically features themed decorations and local performers. 

 

Lavender Graduation 

This special commencement ceremony is an opportunity for the DU community to celebrate our LGBT+ graduates. Students who are graduating are bestowed a special stole to wear for the ceremony on behalf of The Cultural Center. This event is open to all graduating students in the DU community. Stay involved as alumni through our LGBT+ and other identity based alumni groups. 

 

The tradition of Lavender Graduation began at the University of Michigan in 1995 with just three graduates. Dr. Ronni Sanlo, then Director of the University of Michigan LGBT Campus Resource Center, coordinated the first Lavender Graduation in order to acknowledge the achievements of LGBTQ graduates. By 2001, over 45 institutions held Lavender Graduation Ceremonies and the tradition continues to expand to additional colleges and universities across the country. The color lavender plays a historic role in LGBTQ history and in the community. It is a combination of the colors pink and black, which were once used to identify and discriminate against gays and lesbians. The LGBTQ community has reclaimed lavender as symbol of pride and community. (History retrieved from Georgetown University's LGBTQ Resource Center linked here). 

 

Profiles of Excellence 

A DU tradition, Profiles of Excellence is a ceremony that marks a momentous occasion as it commemorates the journey of students of color from student to alumni. This FREE event that takes place every year before Commencement, is open to all graduating undergraduate, graduate, and law students, families, and members of the DU community (faculty, staff, and peers). One tradition of the ceremony is that TCC orders culturally relevant stoles for graduates to receive for free during the ceremony. In 2022, the DU Bookstore loved the stoles the TCC had found, that they also ordered stoles they sold to the campus community. TCC will continue to offer the stoles for free during Profiles of Excellence. In 2022, we celebrated the 20th Annual Profiles of Excellence!