As an acknowledgment of the additional struggles lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender students can face, Lavender Graduation will be held Thursday to honor graduating LGBT students.

This will be the third annual Lavender Graduation Ceremony. Last year’s Lavender Graduation honored 16 LGBT students and drew a crowd of more than 125 people. Organizers hope this year’s event will draw an even larger crowd.

Lavender Graduation began two years ago with the help of Sine Anahita, instructor and teaching assistant in women’s studies, and Houston Dougharty, former associate dean of students.

“Lavender Graduation has been a tradition at universities in California and others across the country. We just jumped on the bandwagon,” Anahita said.

The event began as a way to acknowledge that LGBT students have greater hurdles to overcome in college, Anahita said.

“College can be a hostile place for LGBT students. There is a higher drop-out rate for them,” she said.

It is important for all students to feel a sense of community, she said.

“Graduation at a large university like ISU is so impersonal,” Anahita said. “Lavender Graduation is all about creating community and connecting with each other. It just makes graduation more personal.”

Mike Pogge, senior in community and regional planning, will give the student address. Pogge served as a senator in the Government of the Student Body for four years.

“Lavender Graduation is an acknowledgment of everything we had to face collectively,” Pogge said.

Pogge said LGBT students have to face challenges on a day-to-day basis that most students do not.

“Lavender Graduation shows that we were successful, we are graduating. We did it,” he said.

Nancy Evans, associate professor of education, will be this year’s keynote speaker. Evans has authored or co-authored 13 book chapters and 19 articles in major research journals.

Her most recent publications include “Toward Acceptance: Sexual Orientation Issues on Campus” as a follow-up to “Beyond Tolerance: Gays, Lesbians and Bisexuals on Campus,” both co-edited with Vernon Wall, assistant dean of students.

Graduates will receive a personalized certificate and a rainbow tassel to commemorate their achievements.

The ceremony will be from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday in the Campanile Room of Memorial Union. It is free and open to the public.