LEXINGTON, Ky. — Changes to the University of Kentucky’s inclusive graduation ceremonies have prompted a fraternity to offer special recognition to its members.
Kris Washington is a graduating senior at the University of Kentucky who said he came to the Bluegrass State with opportunity and community on his mind. In May, Washington takes the stage both at Rupp Arena to accept his official diploma and at the historic Lexington Lyric Theater.
Four years ago, he came to Kentucky as a freshman on the William C. Parker diversity scholarship.
“Just like I used that vehicle to come to Kentucky, there are many other students who I’ve met and who also did the same thing. And with the removal of the funding for our schools and everything, they’ve already changed the William C Parker scholarship,” Washington explained.
While the scholarship formerly recognized diversity in its title, it is now the William C. Parker Belonging scholarship and now applies to all students of any background but with specific guidelines for who receive the scholarship.
Washington said it’s a part of policy changes happening on campus. Including the cancellation of the UK’s special-interest-graduation ceremonies for Black, queer and first-generation students.
The university shared a detailed response with Spectrum News 1, that said the move to eliminate these ceremonies follows multiple, “federal and state policy changes and directives”.
But Washington said diversity, equity and inclusion programs are not only needed but promote more learning opportunities.
“It is important to invite people that are different from you within your circle because you can’t learn or grow by doing the same things the whole time. You need to build on your understanding of the world from the world around you,” Washington said.
It’s why the UK’s Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity members are hosting Senior Salute.
“This started with my line brother, who came up with the idea once that he heard that the university was taking away these celebrations,” Pierre PetitFrere, who is also a member of Alpha Phi Alpha, said. “He came to us and was like, ‘Hey, we’re going to put on.’ The event was called Harambee. He was like, ‘We’re going to take over. We’re going to have this event.’”
Partnering with the Lyric, it’s a night of celebration for grads in the community.
“It’s history here, the historic Lyric theater and the history that we’ve always been here for everyone, and we were here through segregation, through integration, that we’ve been here to be a platform for young people to inspire. It was a natural fit that we would still show support.”
The senior salute takes place Wednesday, May 7 at 7 p.m. at the Lyric Theater off East Third Street.
Along with the University of Kentucky, the University of Louisville has also canceled its lavender ceremony dedicated to LGBTQ students.
Correction: A previous version of this story misspelled Pierre PetitFrere's name. The error has been corrected. (May 4, 2025)
