Monday, July 3, 2017 Pat Tetreault honored as K-State Distinguished Alumnus
Pat Tetreault, director of the LGBTQA Resource Center at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, was recognized as a Distinguished Alumnus at the Kansas State University Lavender Graduation in May.
"Dr. Tetreault's expansive career and leadership at Nebraska for diversity and inclusion for students of marginalized sexualities and gender identities are essential in representing K-State and UNL as open and inclusive environments for our students, faculty, and staff," said Brandon Haddock, coordinator of the LGBT Resource Center at Kansas State University. "Pat's accomplishments as a leader truly make her a distinguished alumnus of our university."
The K-State LBGT Resource Center annually recognizes the achievements and support of a distinguished alumnus and a faculty/staff member at the Lavender Graduation event recognizing graduating senior and graduate students. The center coordinates the nominations, recommendations and selection process in conjunction with the LGBT Advisory Board and related student organizations.
Despite having coordinated the Lavender Graduation event on the Nebraska campus for nine years, this was Tetreault's first opportunity to experience the event on another campus.
"I was able to experience the similarities and differences in how Lavender Graduation is planned, and to see the positive impact that such an event has at my alma mater," said Tetreault. "It helps me recognize that we are doing good work that has a positive impact."
Tetreault credits her time at K-State for helping shape her as an activist. Her participation included founding and serving as one of the first co-presidents of the Gay Lesbian Resource Center, a recognized student organization that preceded the LGBT Center.
"To be invited to come back to attend Lavender Graduation and be acknowledged for my contributions to the LGBT Community was a very meaningful and unexpected honor. I saw firsthand how things have changed and the progress that has been made."