University of St. Thomas' First-Generation College Celebration
November 8
2023 First-Generation College Celebration
The University of St. Thomas has a week of activities planned to celebrate our first-generation students. Examples of activities include: a celebratory luncheon, a maker event where students can make Proud to Be 1st mugs, a pizza lunch to learn how to create a first-generation student club, and recognition of first-generation students at the men's basketball game. St. Thomas is also hosting a watch party for the career panel webinar hosted by NASPA.
First-gen week is featured in an article on the campus-wide intranet. Students will receive a video message from President Vischer on November 6th---it is a message acknowledging and celebrating the gifts our first-gen students bring to the St. Thomas campus.
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!
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!
Use #ProudToBeFirst to show your support for this celebration!
