First-Generation College Celebration - Library Lawn Celebration

About

National First-Generation College Celebration Day (FGCC), is observed annually nationwide. It honors the signing of the Higher Education Act (HEA) of 1965, which expanded opportunities for low-income and first-generation students to attend college.

Our First-Generation College Celebration event will celebrate the achievements of all first-generation students, staff, faculty and alumni, and is meant to increase awareness of the first-generation college student experience here at FGCU and nationally, and to ensure that first-generation students are connected to campus resources needed to succeed!

Our Library Lawn Celebration will take place on Thursday, November 5, 2026 from 10:00am - 2:00pm. There will be several Campus Partners in attendance, activities and games, food, and more! Retention and Graduation Services will be providing special "first-gen" stoles for first-gen graduating seniors. There are also service-learning opportunities available for students.

Our Panel of Pioneers: The First-Gen Experience, will take place on November 17. This will be a panel led by half students, half alumni, to discuss their experience being first-generation. This panel, like the lawn celebration, is open to anyone to attend, but will require an RSVP through EagleLink. Please visit our EagleLink page and view the "First Generation Celebration - Panel of Pioneers" event to RSVP.