April 7, 2025 | By Nick Pfost
Five graduating University of Michigan students—including Luca Borah, Katelyn Ma, Allyson May, and Periwinkle Seljord—and student organization Notably Black and Gay will be recognized by Spectrum Center next week for their outstanding contributions to campus.
Katelyn Ma will receive 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. Katelyn is graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in art and design from the Penny Stamps School of Art and Design.
Notably Black and Gay, a campus-wide student organization, will be honored with 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 LGBTQIA2S+ identities through their involvement and activities at U-M.
Periwinkle Seljord will receive 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 LGBTQIA2S+ community at the University of Michigan. Periwinkle is graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in women’s and gender studies from the College of Literature, Science, and the Arts.
Luca Borah will be honored with 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 LGBTQIA2S+community throughout their time at U-M. They are graduating with Doctor of Medicine and Master of Public Health degrees from the Medical School and School of Public Health.
Allyson May will receive the Outstanding Volunteer Award. This distinction is given in recognition of time and efforts dedicated to the Spectrum Center through volunteering. Allyson is graduating with a Bachelor of Science in biochemistry from the College of Literature, Science, and the Arts.
A fifth graduate will be honored with 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. The awardee’s name has been withheld at their request.
All six outstanding awardees will be recognized at Spectrum Center's 31st annual Lavender Graduation, a year-end celebration of LGBTQIA2S+ graduates and allies of all genders and sexualities. The celebration originated at U-M in 1995 and is now held at schools across the United States. The 2025 gathering will be keynoted by Dr. Dom Adams-Santos, with remarks by Dr. Tabbye Chavous, award winner Luca Bora, and Jesse Beal.
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