Asian, Pacific Islander, and Middle Eastern (APIM) Graduation Ceremony

This inaugural APIM Graduation Ceremony celebrates the accomplishments and achievements of Asian, Pacific Islander, Middle Eastern, North African, and Arab communities. We recognize and honor these graduates with the donning of the Khatalampay stole to commemorate their tenure and contributions to the Drexel community.  We are excited for this opportunity to recognize the contributions that our students from these communities have made within our University community throughout their time as Drexel Dragons. For these students, this is not the end of their journey — it is merely a new chapter in an exciting book that will serve to inspire the students of tomorrow.

Join us for this special Commencement celebration as we gather to not only recognize the amazing achievements of these 2024 graduates, but to thank them for all that they have done to encourage others as they work to build their own legacies of success.

2024 In-person and Virtual Ceremony

Date: May 30, 2024
Start Time: 6 p.m. ET
Location: Drexel University's Main Auditorium

The entire Drexel community is invited to view this year's Ceremony, as it will be livestreamed on this page. If you are a student who lives far away and are unable to attend, you're also welcome to join us virtually.

RSVP for the Ceremony

Please Note: Students who have applied for graduation and self-identify as members of the Asian, Pacific Islander, Middle Eastern, North African, and Arab communities are eligible to participate and should contact the Student Center for Diversity & Inclusion at inclusion@drexel.edu for information on participating.

Guest Visitor Policy

Graduates are welcome to invite two guests to join in celebrating this memorable event.

The Drexel Khatalampay

Designed by a team of Drexel faculty and students in 2024, the Drexel Khatalampay stole is inspired by the scarves of honor traditions in Asia. A neologism devised by Professor Francis Tanglao Aguas and Stephen Sheehi, PhD — Khatalampay syncretizes the Khata (Tibet), Khanduva, and Dupatta (India), Khada (Nepal), Khăn Quàng (Vietnam), Keffiyeh (Middle East/Southwest Asia), Selampai (Malaysia, Indonesia), and the Alampay (Philippines). The design components of the Khatalampay harken to a cosmology evoking the diverse homelands and the bodies of water and skies that the families and communities of the graduating class have traversed to reach the milestone achievement of graduating from Drexel University. 

The iconography of the Khatalampay serves as a steganograph where each individual can envision themselves into the design. Anchored on Mario the Dragon at the wearer’s neck, Mario faces the lei of flowers and stars, ready to begin his journey across the oceans and mountains, represented by the green and blue pyramids, evoking the mountains, lakes, and oceans of Asia and North Africa, toward the black and white diamond patterns representing every Drexel Dragon’s journey toward excellence and service to their communities. Drexel’s original and exclusive khatalampay places the University at the forefront of institutions elevating the recognition of students of Asian, Pacific Islander, Middle Eastern/Southwest Asian, North African, and Arabic descent in the United States. 

The Drexel Khatalampay Student Design Team

• Hanako Chen, Lead Designer 
• Kaili Whitmer 
• Lara Coady 
• Ayisha Nahar 
• Professor Jaeyoon Jeong, Fashion Consultant 
• Professor Francis Aguas, Project Director

Share Your Moment

We want you to share your APIM Ceremony Moment! You are encouraged to post a photo or video of this special day's events on social media using the hashtag #ForeverDragons. And don't forget to tag @drexelone so that we can re-post!

Another way that you can share your story is through a submission to PaperClip. As a collection of unique stories about Drexel experiences written by students, we would love to include your experience participating in the APIM Graduation Ceremony. We hope you will use your voice and share your story with the world!

Submit Your Paperclip Story