Scholarship Recipients

The LGBTQ Faculty and Staff Association's Pride Scholarship was first awarded in 2022 to honor a student who can demonstrate academic success, financial need, and a commitment to LGBTQ advocacy or education.

The scholarship is awarded every spring semester and the recipient is included in the annual Lavender Reception, a commencement and recognition ceremony that celebrates the achievements of graduating students who identify with the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer community at UB.

Learn More About the Pride Scholarship

Julian Livingston '25 (he/him) is a pansexual transgender student who is passionate about advocacy and accessibility for all college students. He is currently studying psychology with two minors in health and human services and educational leadership and policy. Julian spends a good portion of his advocacy work in the Alliance Community - a primarily queer-identifying and gender-inclusive living-learning community run by Campus Living. As a resident advisor for the community, he works to support his residents in his community and fight barriers many LGBTQ+ students face. He has also coordinated events that help promote queer education and queer history in the residence halls. 

Besides advocating for the Alliance Community, Julian is involved in other ways on campus. He has participated in several alternative break trips, two of which he led as a team leader, and enjoys volunteering in the Buffalo community with Student Engagement. He is a first-generation peer mentor in which he provides support for first-year first-generation students and conducts research studying the ways mentor and mentee relationships can be improved. Additionally, Julian works for the Health Promotion office on campus, working to support students live healthy and happy lifestyles. 

Zach Raber '25 JD (he/him) is a passionate advocate for LGBTQ+ rights, currently pursuing his second year of law studies at the University of Buffalo School of Law. Born and raised in Western New York, Zach's dedication to confronting pressing LGBTQ+ issues stems from his own experiences and his desire to effect positive change in his community.

As Vice President of the law school’s OUTLaw organization, Zach plays a pivotal role in fostering an inclusive environment and building a supportive network for LGBTQ+ students and allies. 

Outside of OUTLaw, Zach also serves as a committee member of the New York State Bar Association’s Committee on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. As the only law student on the committee, Zach is committed to being a voice for his peers and ensuring that the perspectives and concerns of law students are represented in discussions and initiatives.

Zach's dedication to his studies and advocacy is also reflected in his involvement with the Buffalo Law Review, where he is currently working on a casenote that delves into the unique tax challenges faced by the drag community. Within this written work, Zach also advocates for tax reform that  rectifies the specific disadvantages the current tax structure imposes on drag performers.