Nov. 8 is National First Generation Student Day. Drake defines a first-generation student is a college student whose parents/legal guardians have not received a bachelor’s degree from a four-year university. At Drake, about 20% of our incoming students are first generation students. The Office of New Student and Family Programs and Drake First Gen Student Organization are partnering to celebrate Drake first generation students, staff, and faculty.

Here are some ways you can get involved in the celebration:

Wednesday, Nov. 8:

• We will be tabling on Helmick Commons or Olmsted Breezeway (depending on weather) from 1–4 p.m. passing out snacks and First Gen Bulldog stickers. We hope you can stop by for a sticker and some snacks!
• Zimpleman College of Business Students: Join us in the Aliber 1st floor lobby starting at 9 a.m. to celebrate National First-Generation Day! If you are a first-generation student, we encourage you to stop by for your “I am FIRST” button and a treat. If you are faculty or staff and a first-generation student, please come get a button to show your first-gen pride. Everyone is invited to grab a donut to help us celebrate this special day.
• College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences Students: Join us in the Cline Hall lobby at 10 a.m. to celebrate National First-Generation Day! First-gen students, faculty, and staff are invited to contribute quick notes of encouragement and pride to the first-gen community on the “Why I’m First” wall. Everyone is invited to grab a donut to help us celebrate this special day. We look forward to seeing you there!

Thursday, Nov. 9:
We will have an opportunity to meet and mingle with other first gen faculty, staff, and students during a social hour from 5-6 p.m. in Olmsted Center Conference Rooms 312-313. Snacks will be provided!

Friday, Nov. 10:

Drake First Gen Bulldogs student organization will be hosting a panel from 5-6pm. This will be an opportunity to hear from first gen faculty and staff about their experiences. The panel will be live streamed from the Drake Broadcasting System youtube channel and available to watch afterwards. There is limited seating at the panel, email Erica Sawyer (erica.sawyer@drake.edu), if you are interested in seeing the panel in person.

We encourage First Generation students, staff and faculty to join our Facebook group and follow on Instagram.

We look forward to seeing you at some of the First-Generation Student Day events!

— Marina Verlengia, New Student Programs