At Mount Vernon Nazarene University, three students with special needs are being denied the right to walk alongside their fellow seniors at the commencement ceremony. 

From a student's mother:

"MVNU is excluding IGNITE students from traditional commencement! Let Gabby Walk. Honor Every Student.

As many of you know, for the past two years, Gabby has been a student in the IGNITE program at Mount Vernon Nazarene University. At great personal expense, Gabby pursued this opportunity, using her entire personal savings and we took on additional debt when year two brought significantly less scholarship support. We made that commitment because we believed in the MISSION of this program and what it promised for students like her.

Gabby has shown up, worked hard, built relationships, and grown in unimaginable ways and we are incredibly proud of her! Like every other student, she has earned the right to be recognized!
After multiple attempts to receive clear answers from university leadership, we have now been informed that IGNITE students will not be included in the traditional commencement ceremony on May 9. Instead, they have been offered a SEPARATE certificate ceremony on May 2, without caps and gowns and apart from their peers.

As an adult with autism and intellectual disabilities, Gabby has spent her life navigating systems that were not designed with her in mind. We have advocated for her inclusion every step of the way, which is why we chose this program.

MVNU promised an INTEGRATED college experience rooted in belonging, inclusion, and dignity.

To complete a fully integrated college experience, only to be SEPARATED at the moment that matters most, sends a clear message: students with disabilities are not truly part of the community they committed to.

This is not just about a ceremony…it is about being seen. It is about being valued. It is about belonging.

Mount Vernon Nazarene University is a faith-based institution that “supposedly” teaches ALL individuals are part of the Kingdom of God. That belief should be reflected in actions, not just words.
Gabby did the work. Gabby showed up. Gabby invested in her future. Gabby BELONGS.

If you believe in inclusion, dignity, and honoring every student; OR you simply just want to support Gabby, we are asking you to please:
• Share this post!
• Contact MVNU leadership (emails provided in the comments)
• Ask them to do the right thing TO INCLUDE the three IGNITE students to participate in the commencement they were promised two years ago!"