What is the National First-Generation College Student Celebration?

In November 2017, the Council for Opportunity in Education (COE) partnerered with the Center for First-Generation Student Success, which is an initiative of NASPA and the Suder Foundation, to launch the inaugural First-Generation College Student Celebration.

The now annual event, which is held each year on November 8 to commemorate the anniversary of the Higher Education Act of 1965, encourages colleges and universities across the country to celebrate the successes of the institution's first-generation faculty, staff, and students.

2024 First Generation Celebration Events

First-Gen Headshots on the Mall

Wednesday, October 2, 2024

Centennial Mall

1:00pm - 3:00pm

Are you a first-generation student, faculty, or staff member at Montana State? Come and get your headshot taken and let us know what it means to you to be first-gen. These photos will be utilized in an exhibition in the library.

First-Generation Book Group: Session 1

Friday, October 4, 2024

Renne Library 324 Teaching Space (CFE)

2:00pm - 3:00pm

Join fellow faculty and staff for a discussion on the first two chapters of Lisa Munn's book College Belonging: How First-Year and First-Generation Students Navigate Campus Life. This will be the first of three discussions on this book.

First-Generation Book Group: Session 2

Friday, October 18, 2024

Renne Library 324 Teaching Space (CFE)

2:00pm - 3:00pm

Join fellow faculty and staff for a discussion on chapters three and four of Lisa Munn's book College Belonging: How First-Year and First-Generation Students Navigate Campus Life.

First-Gen Photo Exhibition

TBD

Visit the Renne Library during the month of November to experience what it means to be First-Gen through the thoughts of First-Gen faculty, staff, and students. 

First-Gen Experiences - A First-Gen Student Panel

Tuesday, November 5, 2024

4:00pm - 5:00pm

Strand Union Ballroom B

Please join the First-Gen committee for a discussion about first-gen student experiences from Montana State First-Generation students to celebrate National First-Generation Celebration Day. There will be a couple of structured questions follow by Q&A time for the audience. Discussion on resilience, struggles, and experiences of first-gen students on and off of the MSU campus will occur.

First Generation Students Admissions Webinar

Wednesday, November 6, 2024

Virtual

6:00pm - 7:00pm

For Future Bobcats -- Join us for our First Generation Students Webinar to learn about the wide network of student services and resources available to help support our growing community of First Generation College Students at MSU!

Famous First-Gen Display

TBD

Drop by the ASMSU Office during the month of November to learn about famous First-Gens! All photos will be in the windows of ASMSU.

Snacks in the Library

TBD

Renne Library

Let's celebrate First-Generation Day together! Come by for snacks in the library hosted by the First-Generation Celebration Committee! There will be easy snacks to grab as well as some hot beverages. 

First-Generation Story Night

Tuesday, November 12, 2024

5:00pm - 7:00pm

Strand Union Ballroom A

Join the MSU community in gathering to hear First-Generation stories from First-Gen Bobcats and community members in a fun, fast-paced presentation style. 

First-Generation Book Group: Session 3

Friday, November 15, 2024

Renne Library 324 Teaching Space (CFE)

2:00pm - 3:00pm

Join fellow faculty and staff for a discussion on chapters five, six, and seven of Lisa Munn's book College Belonging: How First-Year and First-Generation Students Navigate Campus Life.

See previous years' celebrations below: