ALHANA graphic

​The ALHANA (African, Latinx, Hispanic, Asian, Native American) program is a social and community-building group intended to create a sense of belonging and camaraderie among students, staff, and faculty of Daemen within the included affinity groups. ALHANA began in 2017 as just a graduation ceremony to recognize the persistence and matriculation of the college's multicultural students. Since then, the CDI has expanded the ALHANA program to be more comprehensive, offering events year-round.

Student standing in front of a teal wall with white painted wings.
Person standing at a podium speaking to a crowd.
Four students standing around a round table smiling at the camera.
Two students holding drinks together and smiling at the camera.
A crowd of students posing and smiling at the camera.
Two students smiling at the camera and making hearts with their fingers.
A group of seven people standing together in front of a stage and smiling at the camera.

ALHANA Graduation Ceremony

The ALHANA (African, Latinx, Hispanic, Asian, Native American) Ceremony symbolizes and commemorates the rite of passage for learners and scholars transitioning from institutions of higher learning to the next chapter of their lives. The ALHANA Graduation Ceremony has a deep history and is an important experience for our students.

Mission Statement

The Center for Diversity & Inclusion's ALHANA Ceremony is an event that recognizes, acknowledges, emphasizes, and celebrates the educational achievement of Daemen College graduates. We intend to celebrate the academic excellence of the graduates as they begin a bright, hopeful future, while simultaneously affirming the role of graduates in the future growth of Daemen College.

Purpose/Statement of Celebration

Our purpose is to share and celebrate a heritage rich in tradition with the Daemen community.  We also invite family and friends to share in this ceremony. A keynote speaker delivers words of encouragement and expectations to the graduating class. Classmates share their experiences while at Daemen, special performances by current students follow, and finally, each graduate receives an ALHANA stole to be worn at their graduation ceremony.

This celebration is an opportunity to demonstrate pride in the intersection of cultural history and our hope for future graduates of Daemen College. Students are encouraged to remember those who came before, students of all racial and ethnic backgrounds who have made their mark on the Daemen campus and completed their academic journeys in their respective disciplines. During the ALHANA Ceremony, we celebrate their accomplishments and the accomplishments of the entire graduating class.

Click here to view the 2023 ALHANA Ceremony slideshow!

Check back here for more information and updates about the 2024 ALHANA Ceremony!