Elon University’s Center for Access and Success hosted its annual First-Generation Stole Ceremony on May 21 in McKinnon Hall, recognizing its largest class to date with 63 graduates.
The First-Generation Stole Ceremony recognizes undergraduate and graduate students who are the first in their family to graduate from college. Graduates received a first-generation stole placed that was placed on them by a person close to them or a staff member from First-Generation Student Support Services, as well as an Elon lapel pin.
The ceremony highlighted the hard work and dedication of first-generation students. Student keynote speaker, senior Archie Tan, highlighted that being a first-generation student means there is no predetermined way to go about your time in college.
“There's no guidebooks to your life as a first-gen students,” Tan said. “You have the advantage of being the first to figure out what you want to do with your life, free from others' expectations or limitations today. An unrealistic dream has become a reality achieved through hard work, stepping outside my comfort zone, building network and mentorships, and pursuing opportunities that were seen beyond my reach. Every first experience was a step towards mastering the art of being first.”
Following the presentation of stoles, the 1891 Awards, named for the graduating first class of Elon University, were given out for each of core values of first-generation initiatives: community, authenticity, celebratory, passion and empowerment.
Senior Laker Figueroa won the 1891 award for authenticity. His nominators said he is always a leader in his community and puts a lot of effort into everything he does, including his membership in Sigma Pi Fraternity, Elon Music Ambassadors and professional athletic organizations.
“'I’m just excited and so happy to be a part of it and to graduate as a first-gen alum from Elon,” Figueroa said in an interview with Elon News Network.
Figueroa said that, above all else, he was grateful to be a role model to his younger siblings.
“Being first-gen, it's a big deal,” Figueroa said. “I come from a family where I have six other siblings, some older, some younger, and so to set the stage for them, let them know it's possible, and be that role model for them. I'm excited that they can look up to someone that obviously was able to do it.”
Director of Elon 1010 and assistant director of academic advising, Brandy Propst, was awarded the 1891 award for empowerment. Her nominators said Propst has a commitment to inclusion and is a fierce advocate for first-generation students.
“It caught me off guard,” Propst said in an interview with Elon News Network. “I think sometimes we have to be reminded that all the things we do that it resonates with people. It was very much appreciated that people have acknowledged some of the work that I've done and some of the support that I've given the first-gen students, and just any students at the university.”
Propst said that, especially as a first-generation graduate herself, celebrating first-generation students is important not only to celebrate the hard work of the students but to celebrate the support systems they have along the way.
“We have to celebrate the accomplishments and the achievements that we have as a community, so that people get that encouragement to keep going,” Propst said. “We know it's not going to be easy, but if you know, ‘I got people cheering for me from afar, people who don't even know me, and that I've accomplished these things,’ it's always going to keep you motivated to keep moving.”