April 16, 2024 | By Nick Pfost
Four graduating University of Michigan students—Dr. Oluwami (Wami) Dosunmu-Ogunbi, Joseph Pearson-Green, Anna Verdiun Pomper, and Atticus Jean-Josephine Spicer—and student organization LGBTQ+ Nursing have been recognized by Spectrum Center for their outstanding contributions to campus.
Oluwami (Wami) Dosunmu-Ogunbi received the Intersectional Advocacy Award (Individual). This award is given to a member of the graduating Lavender Class that has shown outstanding dedication to honoring and advocating for the intersectional nature of students’ many identities with LGBTQ+ identities through their involvement and activities during their time at University of Michigan.
Dosunmu-Ogunbi was honored for building and preserving community among asexual and aromantic students through CenterSpaces, sustaining the Movement of Underrepresented Sisters in Engineering and Science (MUSES), and co-founding of Gender Diversity in Robotics (GENDiR). Speaking to her work on GENDiR, Dosunmu-Ogunbi added, “Although not part of this specific community, I worked closely with its members to create an organization that genuinely met their needs.” She is graduating with a doctorate in robotics from the Department of Robotics and Rackham Graduate School.
LGBTQ+ Nursing, a student organization at the School of Nursing, received the Intersectional Advocacy Award (Group). This award is given to an organization or program that has shown outstanding dedication to honoring and advocating for the intersectional nature of students’ many identities with LGBTQ+ identities through their involvement and activities during their time at University of Michigan. LGBTQ+ Nursing was honored for their work creating community and space for nursing students to discuss the past and future of healthcare, and for being part of making healthcare more inclusive.
Joseph Pearson-Green received the Inspirational Influence Award. This award is given to a member of the graduating Lavender Class to recognize an individual’s dedication and commitment to creating lasting social change around a particular social issue.
In their nomination, Pearson-Green was noted as a "living, breathing, example of an individual that works to create spaces where others can live their best lives to the fullest ability." They received the award for their work leading Black Radical Healing Pathways, implementing culturally responsive programming, service to the community through mental health and social justice, and more. They are graduating with a Master of Social Work from the School of Social Work, focusing on interpersonal practice in integrated health, mental health, and substance use.
Anna Verduin Pomper received the Excellence in Student Leadership Award. This award is given to a member of the graduating Lavender Class or student organization whose work throughout the year has made a lasting and significant change in the LGBTQ community at the University of Michigan.
Pomper “approaches community-building through fun, and sees fun and joyful engagement as a central aspect to processing our experiences as queer individuals,” noted one nominator. “She has truly transformed the atmosphere for LGBTQIA+ students through her leadership, kindness and passion,” said another. Pomper has helped lead student organization Out in Public as its social chair, spearheading a variety of social events, a Pride in September school climate initiative, community book shelves, and engagement outside the school. She is graduating this May with a Master of Public Policy from the Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy.
Atticus Jean-Josephine Spicer received the Ronni Sanlo Cornerstone Award, named for beloved former Spectrum Center director Ronni Sanlo who established Lavender Graduation. The recognition is given to a member of the graduating Lavender Class to recognize a graduating student’s sustained and lasting commitment to the LGBTQ community throughout their time at U-M. Spicer received the award in recognition of his devotion to the community through oSTEM and The Michigan Gayly, where they led the student publication's design portfolio.
Described as an essential member of the Gayly’s team, Spicer “has always advocated for the LGBT community through his art and writing,” wrote the nominator—“from the very first moment he stepped onto campus until now.” They are graduating with a bachelor’s in film, television, and media from the College of Literature, Science, and the Arts.
All five outstanding recipients were honored at Spectrum Center's annual Lavender Graduation, a year-end celebration of LGBTQIA2S+ graduates that originated at U-M in 1995 and is now held at schools across the United States. This year, Michigan's Lavender Graduation was co-sponsored by the Office of Multi-Ethnic Student Affairs, Rackham Graduate School, and Michigan Engineering's Office of Culture, Community, and Equity.
Read more