They might look a whole lot different this year, but ceremonies recognizing the breadth of achievements at Georgia Tech will not be stymied by the ongoing COVID-19 crisis.

The virtual Student Celebration Week will honor more than 250 individuals and groups from across the Georgia Tech community, including students, student organizations, faculty and staff, and alumni.

From April 20 to 23, this online celebration will feature live ceremonies open to the entire campus community and their families. Additionally, colleges and departments will share stories and features about students and award winners on the Student Celebration Week webpage. You will also find details about each ceremony, a link to each ceremony’s Live Watch Party, recorded ceremonies, and lists of award-winning individuals and groups.

Ceremonies featured during Student Celebration Week include:

Up With the White and Gold
Monday, April 20
6 p.m.

This event highlights the significance of student leadership and involvement. “From creating and building community and belonging, to winning local and international competitions, these students lead the Tech community in identifying and trailblazing ways to create the next entrepreneur, innovator, social change agent, big dreamer, and much more,” said Quinn Foster, director of Student Organizations in the Center for Student Engagement.

The event also honors faculty and staff and the role they play in student organizations, with a portion of the program dedicated to honoring outstanding employees and their work. SGA will also present Burdell's Best Awards in the areas of organizational enrichment, teambuilding, networking, service, and collaboration.

Lavender Awards
Wednesday, April 22
6 p.m.

Presented each April by the LGBTQIA Resource Center, the Lavender Awards recognize individuals who have made Georgia Tech a safer and more inclusive environment for LGBTQIA students, faculty, staff, and alumni. Awards include:

• Billiee Pendleton-Parker Award for Outstanding Allyship
• LGBTQIA Alum of the Year Award
• LGBTQIA Faculty/Staff Leadership Award
• LGBTQIA Student Leadership Award
• Dr. Aby Parsons’ Advocacy in Action Award

Faculty and staff who have graduated from the Level Up program will also be honored. Designed to build on the knowledge and skills from Safe Space training, Level Up comprises advanced allyship courses over five weeks (level one) or 10 weeks (level two) that explore topics and concepts related to LGBTQIA histories, identities, and communities.

The traditional Lavender Graduation will be transformed into a virtual ceremony, honoring LGBTQIA student graduates.

This summer, the Center welcomes its second director, Tegra Myanna, and will continue to foster LGBTQIA engagement and build community from a virtual platform.

Fraternal Excellence Awards
Thursday, April 23
6 p.m.

Debuting this year, these awards celebrate Georgia Tech’s fraternity and sorority community by recognizing their hard work and accomplishments. Awards will be presented by the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life, all four governing councils, and the Order of Omega, a leadership honor society for members of Greek organizations.

Other Honors

Each spring, the Student Honors Celebration recognizes Georgia Tech students who have received Institute or college-specific awards throughout the academic year. This year, in lieu of an in-person or virtual event, a list of students who have been recognized for their achievements will be posted on the Student Celebration Week page.

The School of Materials Science and Engineering (MSE) will be hosting an online accolades celebration on Monday, April 20, at 6 p.m. The event recognizes the recipients of MSE awards and scholarships, highlights participants in the MSE Student-Industry Mentoring Program, and celebrates the accomplishments of MSE student organizations.

Other academic units are honoring student achievements this semester, including the Schools of History and Sociology, Industrial and Systems Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, and Modern Languages, and Women in Engineering.