Cultural and Campus Events

Keweenaw Pride hosts their Annual Michigan Tech Fall Drag Show. Drag Artists have been a source of joy for the LGBTQIA+ community and this night is made sure to be no different. Everyone is accepted and wanted. So come out and prepare to join in a night of absolute fun and incredible energy!

Celebrated annually in February, Black History Month at Michigan Tech was established to honor and remember important people and events around the world. Michigan Tech celebrates the rich culture and traditions of black Americans during Black History Month with programming featuring educational, artistic, and social events. Each year has a theme highlighting important aspects of Black History.

Society of Intellectual Sisters’ annual Bra Show fundraiser for the National Breast Cancer Foundation.

Coordinated by the Society of Intellectual Sisters

Diverse Dialogues was launched by the Center for Diversity and Inclusion in the Spring of 2018. The program provides opportunities for students, faculty and staff to have conversations about relevant issues of equity, diversity, inclusion, social justice and much more.

They are designed to be an informal gathering to allow participants to educate and learn from one another. While each dialogue has a centralized theme, the goal is to encourage participants to determine where the conversations go. This program is meant to be a catalyst for discussion on difficult topics and implore individuals to push their awareness, knowledge and action related to themes of diversity and inclusion. 

EWI is an annual event hosted by the Michigan Tech Society of Women Engineers the day before the Fall Career Fair. EWI provides a relaxed environment where students and corporate representatives can interact before the career fair.

The event is open to all Michigan Tech University students, who will have the opportunity to network with company representatives while learning about numerous and diverse companies and the internship, co-op and full-time employment opportunities they offer. These employers target Michigan Tech in their recruiting efforts and are eager to meet and interact with top talented students.

Company representatives have the opportunity to meet successful students whose knowledge, skills and experiences meet their technical and business needs. In addition, they are able to promote their company and employment opportunities, and share their experiences in the world of work. Each company in attendance receives access to all attending students’ resumes.

Coordinated by the Society of Women Engineers

Each year, Americans observe Hispanic Heritage Month from September 15 to October 15 by celebrating the histories, cultures, and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America.

Many significant dates fall during Hispanic Heritage Month, including:

• Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua independence days (Sept. 15)
• Columbus Day (or Día de la Raza)
• Mexico’s independence day (Sept. 16)
• Chile’s independence day (Sept. 18)

Celebrated annually during October, LGBTQIA+ History Month highlights the historical and contemporary accomplishments of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, intersex, and asexual individuals.

LGBTQIA+ History Month features a variety of information and programs that differ each year. Many events focus on issues and obstacles specific to LGBTQIA+ people.

Past events have included:

• Guest Speakers
• Films
• Workshops
• Keweenaw Pride’s celebration of National Coming Out Day, where the campus community is invited to announce their orientation or to “come out” as a LGBTQIA+-community ally.

Each January, the Michigan Tech campus community unites to celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with the annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration. The events, first held in 1989, are sponsored by the Center for Diversity and Inclusion.

Students, staff, faculty, and community members honor King’s work by discussing the relevance of his work in today’s world, attending guest lecture presentations, and—true to King’s spirit—participating in community service opportunities.

The first National March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay rights was October 11, 1987. October 11 has become more than an anniversary celebration. It's National Coming Out Day. We promote a safe world for LGBTQ+ individuals, we honor those able to openly live their truth, and we offer support and hope to people who are not able to come out.

Celebrated annually during November, Native American Heritage Month highlights the historical and contemporary accomplishments of American Indians and First Nations peoples.

Native American Heritage Month features a variety of information and programs that differ each year.

Past events have included:

• Speakers
• Film Screenings
• Workshops, like quill-earring-making night
• Educational Events, such as an introduction to the Ojibwe language

The month’s events are coordinated by the American Indian Science and Engineering Society (AISES) in conjunction with the Center for Diversity and Inclusion

Percy Julian Graduation Reception, held annually in April, honors the outstanding Hispanic, African-American, Native-American, and LGBTQIA+ graduates of Michigan Tech.

In addition to honoring our diverse graduates, the recipient of the Percy Julian Award is also announced during the Percy Julian Graduation Reception. This award recognizes an undergraduate student who has demonstrated leadership in the advancement of social equality on Michigan Tech’s campus, and racial, ethnic, and cultural understanding.

Hosted every Fall and Spring Semester before Final Exam, the Center for Diversity and Inclusion hosts Pre Exam Jam. This event is designed to give students a much needed break from the stress of studying while enjoying snacks and fun activities.

Held each year, Pride Week celebrates the identity and culture of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Questioning, Intersex, Asexual (LGBTQIA+) community.

Planned and hosted by the Keweenaw Pride student organization, this week-long series of events features a variety of programs that vary by year. Past events have included:

• Film Screenings
• Guess the Straight Person Event, where LGBTQIA+ stereotypes are explored and debunked
• Guest Speakers and Lecturers
• Q&A sessions about “taboo” topics ranging from LGBTQIA+ sex to the gender-transition process

Pride Week always culminates in the annual Drag Show, which draws over 1,000 people to campus and is regularly the year’s highest-attended student-run event.

The Safe Place Ally Training Program educates individuals about LGBTQIA+ identities, the needs of LGBTQIA+ students, the coming out process, ways to create an inclusive campus environment, and the resources available on and off campus.

On or around November 20 every year Keweenaw Pride hosts a vigil in respectful memory of those who lost their lives in acts of violence or suicide.

Celebrated annually during March, Women’s History Month highlights the historical and contemporary accomplishments of women—contextualizing achievements in relation to the obstacles women often face.

Women’s History Month events are different each year and are planned by the Women’s Programming Committee, which is made up of representatives from each women’s student organization on campus.

Past events have included:

• Poetry Readings
• Guest speakers
• Film screenings
• Workshops
• Society of Intellectual Sisters’ annual Bra Show fundraiser for the National Breast Cancer Foundation

HIV stigma is wrong. The AIDS pandemic continues. On December 1 Keweenaw Pride joins people around the globe to raise awareness.

UPDATE: This event has been postponed for the following year. 

Come join the Center for Diversity and Inclusion for hot chocolate and snacks during Winter Carnival’s All-Nighter Party.