Coming in First: Students Collect Honors and Dollars

Throughout the spring semester, Longwood University sponsored three events to celebrate and support first-get students.

First, 45 Lancers were inducted into the newly chartered chapter of Tri Alpha National Honor Society for First-Generation Students. Welcomed by Cam Patterson (Vice President for Student Affairs), Mary Carroll-Hackett (professor of Creative Writing), Janie Brazier (assistant professor of Social Work), and Larry Robertson (Assistant Vice President for Student Development), initiates were celebrated with individual certificates and Tri Alpha pins. Enthusiastic new members of the group then signed the organizational ledger and formed an executive officer structure. Students have already begun planning activities for next year in conjunction with broader university efforts to support first-gen students. The hope is that group will also evolve into a self-sustaining first-generation student organization. Cheryl Steele, Associate Vice President for Student Engagement and Initiatives and chair of the First-gen Working Group, remarked, “this group of students is highly motivated and highly engaged. It is a testament of their love of their college experience that they joined Tri Alpha in such large numbers.”

Second, as part of the university’s annual day of giving, First-Gen Programs raised nearly $18,000 from 50 different members of the Longwood community. As a result, for the first time, the organization will have an independent budget to fund student outreach and celebrations. Funds will also be used to furnish and support the new lounge in the student union devoted to first-gen students. Love Your Longwood Day, spearheaded by the Office of Institutional Advancement, designates a 24-hour period of philanthropic challenges to entice alumni to give back to their alma mater. With the help of a graduate assistant, the First-gen Working Group interviewed a series of first-gen students and alums, created a YouTube video, and invited supporters to contribute throughout the day. Fittingly, the Working Group won the 'Coming in First' challenge that rewarded the university program with the most first-time donor participation. Thanks to a matching gift by an anonymous benefactor, First-Gen Programs finished seventh overall in the friendly competition.

Finally, Longwood’s First-gen Graduation Celebration occurred the night before the university’s undergraduate Commencement ceremony on May 17. A number of faculty and staff celebrated 37 students and their families in person and other students who were not able to attend. Longwood was honored to have Dr. Sarah Whitley as the keynote speaker. Dr. Whitley is the Executive Vice President of the Center for First-Generation Student Success, as well as a Longwood alum and a former staff member. She shared her perspectives as a first-gen student herself and inspired graduates to celebrate their accomplishments and the unique assets they brought to Longwood. At the Graduation Celebration, students received first-gen cords and had the opportunity to sign a copy of the book First Gen: A Memoir by Alexandra Campoverdi, which will be housed in the university archives at the main library.

The collaboration of several offices made these events possible. Student Affairs, Student Success, Academic Affairs, and faculty from various departments continue to contribute to first-gen programming, underscoring the university’s broad commitment to its trailblazing students.