Black students should be able to recognize both their culture and successful graduation during commencement weekend.

Based on a program at the University of Michigan, the Black Celebratory will recognize graduating black students’ achievements at a May 3 ceremony.

The program also brings attention to the low minority retention rates. Blacks have the lowest retention rate at MSU of any group at 44.7 percent.

This celebration certainly shouldn’t be seen as encouraging separatism. Instead, the students taking part in this event are lucky to spend time with an intimate group of friends before they walk in MSU’s official May commencement.

These students have taken the initiative to create a day far more meaningful than any class ring or monogrammed towel.

Other students take part in similar ceremonies all the time. Graduates walk with their college, have parties with their campus groups, and celebrate with their friends.

And everyone does so to recognize their pride in this university and their achievements to complete a degree here.

These programs are a complement to all the other green-and-white rituals taking place the first weekend in May.

Recognizing black students’ achievements and celebrating African American culture is an appropriate combination at a time as important as commencement, especially as black students work to increase retention rates at MSU.

In our society, it’s difficult for any group in the minority to succeed. Celebrating with those you succeeded with should be a welcome reward.