Moravian’s Largest Intercultural Graduation Celebrates Record Class and First Set of Triplets

 This year’s Moravian University Intercultural Graduation saw the largest participating class in the ceremony’s 11-year history, and for the first time included a set of triplets. 

There were 43 participants in the ceremony at Foy Hall on Friday afternoon. The event is open to anyone and honors the achievements of graduates whose backgrounds and lived experiences have contributed to a culture of belonging at Moravian University. 

It kicked off a rainy but joyous weekend of celebrations, including Baccalaureate on Friday night at Central Moravian Church, and Moravian University’s 284th Commencement on Saturday morning in the Timothy Breidegam Fieldhouse. In total, this year’s graduating class included 515 undergraduate students, 273 students who earned master’s degrees, and 70 doctoral students. 

When Intercultural Graduation started in 2016 there were 15 graduating seniors who participated with their families, said Chris Hunt, Moravian’s vice president and dean for inclusive excellence. 

“Our goal for this gathering has always been to acknowledge the rich contributions that our students have made to maintaining an inclusive environment here at Moravian University,” Hunt said to the students, their families, and friends. “We have consistently had an all-star group of students join us, but our all-star team has never been this big.” 

During the ceremony, each student is welcomed onto the stage by a song of their choosing. They can also decide whether to pre-record a video thanking those who supported them on their academic journey. The student’s family members, friends, or mentors may also join them on stage to drape a vibrant Kente stole over the student’s shoulders and say a few words. The woven scarf is commonly worn during graduation ceremonies in the United States to honor African heritage and academic achievement. Over the years at Moravian University, the Kente stole has adorned students at Intercultural Graduation and Commencement to symbolize achievement, gratitude, cultural pride, and continuity across generations, Hunt said.

Denaly, Kevin, and Michael Romero were among the graduates celebrating. Although they aren’t the first set of triplets to graduate from Moravian (the Kanakamedala siblings graduated in 2017) the Romeros are the first to participate in Intercultural Graduation, Hunt said. 

All three said they decided to attend Moravian because of the small class sizes, and they thought it would be fun to go to the same university. The siblings’ parents, Damian and Margie Romero, attended college in Puerto Rico. At Moravian,Denaly majored in English, while Kevin majored in graphic design, and Michael majored in math and computer science. 

The siblings decided to attend Intercultural Graduation because of the personal nature of the ceremony. Each sibling was welcomed onto the stage by their parents, with Damian saying a few words and Margie draping the stoles over her children’s shoulders. 

In another first this year, Karina Fuentes ’18, associate director of admission for inclusive excellence, introduced Hunt and other speakers. The alumna said it was a “full-circle moment,” recalling her participation as a student eight years earlier. 

“Not too long ago, I sat exactly where you are all at experiencing the magic of the celebration as a student. Returning now to support you all in the logistics and vision behind the scenes has been a full-circle moment for me and a true privilege,” Fuentes said. “I’m thrilled to help celebrate your incredible achievements today.” 

Fuentes, who is the daughter of Chilean immigrants, said during an interview before the ceremony that it was always expected she would go to college, but her parents didn’t understand how to navigate the application process or apply for loans. 

Fuentes was already 22 years old when she transferred to Moravian. With the support of a Latina mentor who used to work in Moravian’s Center for Inclusive Excellence, along with her academic advisor, Fuentes was able to finish her political science degree in two years and went on to earn a master’s degree at Lehigh University. 

Many of the students who participated on Friday were already volunteers for Moravian’s Center for Inclusive Excellence and had been awaiting their turn to take part in Intercultural Graduation. 

One of those students was Jesher C. Velazquez ’26, Moravian’s assistant director of international student support, who in the past volunteered to pass out the stoles.

“Alright, I think I’m going to use some tissues today,” Velasquez joked as she took her place at the podium on Friday afternoon. She tearfully recalled all the times as a volunteer that she got to witness the emotions that come with a milestone such as college graduation. Finally, it was Velazquez’s turn. 

“This ceremony celebrates the diversity and inclusion of all cultures, backgrounds, and creeds. We celebrate our graduates today who have demonstrated exceptional academic, social and personal achievements. Through ups and downs on their journey, they remain undefeated in their pursuit of success,” she told the crowd. 

Fatimah Bouri ’26, an English and history double major with minors in gender studies and political science, also spoke. Bouri said that as a first-generation student she often questioned her place at college. 

“I was once a meek freshman who had no idea what she was doing in a place like Moravian, or even what she wanted to do, but I didn’t anticipate the ever-changing personal revelations I’d undergo throughout my time here,” she said. “I especially didn’t anticipate how [significant] my identity, my culture, and heritage as an Arab-Hispanic woman would be. . . .” 

Bouri said she learned that diversity was a way of “seeing spectrums of identity represented, and most importantly, celebrated for women of color, such as myself.” Even more significant was learning about what it means to be visible—”to be seen and acknowledged, and to have your personhood appreciated,” she said. 
“Visibility starts with that intention of making yourself known wherever you go and never shying away from who you are.” —Christina Tatu

Photos by Nick Chismar ’20