TAMU's First-Generation College Celebration
November 8
We Are…FIRST-GEN Aggies
Texas A&M University will be celebrating our first-generation college students throughout November beginning on the 8th with #CelebrateFirstGen tables in the Memorial Student Center staffed by LAUNCH: Learning Communities professionals and peer mentors. LAUNCH: Undergraduate Research staff will be highlighting first-generation students and the strengths they bring to their pursuits in a companion social media campaign. About 20% of undergraduates at Texas A&M are the first in their families to pursue a university education.
Students, faculty, and staff visiting the #CelebrateFirstGen tables may pick up their choice of fresh fruit and/or candy and a button to wear celebrating first-generation students at Texas A&M or proclaiming their own first-generation status. While at the tables, first-generation students may have their portraits taken with an Instax camera and see themselves added to the We are First Gen Aggies poster. Students are encouraged to take “selfies” in front of the First Gen Photo Posters and post their selfies to social media. Visitors will learn more about notable Aggie graduates who were first-generation themselves and see photographs of successful public figures displayed on a second poster at the tables. Profiles of former first-generation students will be highlighted on the learning communities blog throughout November.
After November 8, the completed portrait boards will be put on display on the first floor of the University’s Sterling C. Evans Library. Accompanied by a curated display of books and other items created by first-generation authors and artists, the boards will be on display in the library until Thanksgiving break.
