On Monday, November 6th, 96 Wooster campus faculty, staff and students stopped by the Skou Student Lounge and enjoyed popcorn, chatted together and sported buttons celebrating first-generation college students and their journeys. Kelly Carmack Mitchell and Leslie Eisberg coordinated the movie-themed celebration. Many students asked what defined a first-generation college student, which gave the coordinators opportunities to create awareness by acknowledging individual students’ first-gen status and thanking others for being first-gen allies.
Two days later, in the Wooster Science Building, students, staff and faculty attended a dinner and panel discussion coordinated by Carmack Mitchell and Eisberg on National First-Generation College Students Day. Dr. Kris Boone provided the welcome. The audience heard personal stories from faculty and staff who were first-generation college students: Jenny Fischer, Dr. Carri Gerber, Kelly Kyser, Dr. Zack Matesich, Dr. Jon Van Gray, Rick Waggoner and Dr. Eric Williams. Their experiences echoed a common message for current students: use your resources. Dr. Ann Christie concluded the event and noted the importance of infusing fun into our daily lives.
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