The 2026 Graduation Celebration for the Department of Gender, Women & Sexuality Studies reminded us of the possibility of another world. The event was a celebration of our students’ power and joy! GWSS inaugurated a new tradition by presenting our graduating students with purple honor cords—the color traditionally associated with Gender, Women & Sexuality Studies. The graduating seniors chose Professor Kemi Adeyemi as their graduation speaker and two graduating student speakers: Ahna Rader and Kellen Tamurian. We were also pleased to graduate two doctoral students: Dr Keila Taylor and Dr Saad Khan.
Congratulations, GWSS Class of 2026! We know you will carry forward our hope and a commitment to creating a just future!
Celebrating our 2026 GWSS Awardees
- GWSS Service Award: Kelen Tamurian
This award honors a person who has made a significant contribution, demonstrated excellent leadership, or shown outstanding dedication to advancing the goals and mission of the Department of GWSS.
- Herring Phelps Outstanding GWSS Senior Award: Violet Fitzgerald
This award celebrates a GWSS student who has demonstrated excellence or distinction in their feminist scholarship, co-curricular activities, peer support, or service to the department.
- Herring Phelps Scholarly Activism Award: Ahna Radner
This award recognizes GWSS majors who demonstrate a commitment to feminist values and/or contemporary feminist scholarship through their community-based engagements.
- Pamela E. Yee Gender and Disability Studies Undergraduate Award: Matty Brown
- Pamela E. Yee Gender and Disability Studies Graduate Award: Lee Donnelly
These awards honor the exceptional work of undergraduate and graduate students’ written and/or visual projects that demonstrates the successful integration of gender and disability studies. The Pamela E. Yee Awards honor the eldest child of Donald and Audrey Yee and sister of David, Steven, and our own GWSS Professor Shirley Yee.