University of St. Thomas' First-Generation College Celebration
November 8


2021 First-Generation College Celebration

The University of St. Thomas is excited to share their 2021 First Generation College Celebration week events!  Since 2018, St. Thomas has participated in the celebration and this year, they partnered with various campus partners including a kick-off to the celebration week with Athletics!

Nov. 6th: Volleyball Game: PA announcement and videoboard messaging honoring first-gen students, staff and faculty.

Nov. 8th: First Gen College Celebration Open House featuring President Sullivan who will share her story as a first-generation college student.

Nov. 9th: Proud to Be First: First Gen Panel and Dinner

Nov. 10th: Proud to Be First Maker Event: Mugs

Nov. 11th: Proud to Be First: First Gen Bowling and Social

Nov. 12th:

#FirstGenFriday                 

Demystifying the First-Gen College Student Experience (professional development for  faculty/staff)                 

Purple Couch Convo: Proud to Be First and the Weight We Carry                 

A Cup of Gratitude maker event at Dougherty Family College

Weeklong activities include: Book display featuring first-generation authors (OSF Library) and First-Gen student researcher poster display along with social media and in-person engagement.

2020 First-Generation College Celebration

In 2020, the University of St. Thomas will be hosting a First-Generation College Celebration Week (Nov. 4-10) with a variety of social media campaigns highlighting first-gen student researchers and leadership as well as a "throwback to the college days" featuring first-gen faculty and staff with pictures from their college experience.

In addition to these social media campaigns, we will have the following activities:

Thursday, Nov. 5th: A Day in the Life of a First-gen Student Social Media Takeover

Friday, Nov. 6th: #FirstGenFriday Photo Challenge

Monday, Nov. 9th: First-gen Student Panel featuring current St. Thomas students

Tuesday, Nov. 10th: First-Gen College Celebration Open House where students will have the opportunity to screen print t-shirts with first-gen positive and affirming messages.

2019 First-Generation College Celebration

Join us for the 2nd Annual First Generation College Celebration on Friday, November 8!

In observation of National First Generation Day of Celebration, Proud to Be First (PTBF) is hosting a party! Join us in Create[Space] from 3-4:30 on November 8 to celebrate first-gen achievements. We will have changemaking activities, a photobooth, Proud to Be First t-shirts and tote bags, and an appetizer bar. We will also be featuring two short videos from President Sullivan, who was also a first-generation college student as well as a video made by and with current first-gen St. Thomas students!

We will also be giving away three first-gen narrative novels, courtesy of the St. Thomas libraries! Our Grand Prize giveaway will be free book rental for the spring semester (prize value up to $300)!

Drop in or stay for the whole event—we hope to see you there on November 8th!

University of St. Thomas FGCC

2018 First-Generation College Celebration

In 2018, the University of St. Thomas hosted their first First Gen College Celebration with a photo booth, make your own photo frame and community building! The University President and fellow first-generation college student, Dr. Sullivan, came to celebrate with our first-generation students, staff and faculty!


For the latest updates on this celebration, follow @ustproudtobefirst on Instagram and use #ProudtobeFirst and #FirstGenTommies to show your support!