Weeklong celebration makes strong 'first' impression

Published 11.12.2023

Photos by Tom Wilson, writer/editor-Penn College News

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    First-Generation College Student Week was celebrated Nov. 5-11 at Penn College, appropriate for a campus where nearly half the enrollment – not to mention a significant number of faculty and staff, including the institution's president – meet that definition.

    The week was selected because Nov. 8 marks the anniversary of the signing of the Higher Education Act of 1965, which created federal financial aid programs that reduce barriers to first-generation students' success.

    Staff at the Center for Academic Excellence were at the forefront of the activities, joined by their partners and first-generation students' champions from elsewhere on campus.

    Activities included pop-up tables packed with giveaways, free refreshments at "The Rock" (painted for the occasion), a valuable financial workshop, a library lunch and an informal Friday afternoon social.

    Who's a first-generation student? Portable campus signage provided a definition (and much more information throughout the week).
    Who's a first-generation student? Portable campus signage provided a definition (and much more information throughout the week).
    Counseling Services' Linda L. Locher staffs a pop-up table in the Bush Campus Center, offering vital support and encouragement to first-generation students.
    Counseling Services' Linda L. Locher staffs a pop-up table in the Bush Campus Center, offering vital support and encouragement to first-generation students.
    The south side of "The Rock" was painted for the occasion, sharing space with campus veterans holding a simultaneous week of recognition.
    The south side of "The Rock" was painted for the occasion, sharing space with campus veterans holding a simultaneous week of recognition.
    Megan R. Adams, an industrial design student from Carlisle and information desk assistant in the Office of Student Engagement, stops by a table in the CC lobby. On hand to help (but off-camera in this photo) was Savannah J. Zook, of Lewistown, a human services & restorative justice student and peer mentor.
    Megan R. Adams, an industrial design student from Carlisle and information desk assistant in the Office of Student Engagement, stops by a table in the CC lobby. On hand to help (but off-camera in this photo) was Savannah J. Zook, of Lewistown, a human services & restorative justice student and peer mentor.
    Erin and Todd Fox (a 1998 business management alumnus), owners of Fox Den Cold Brew Coffee, serve a pair of students who stopped by "The Rock" on Monday from a nearby surveying class.
    Erin and Todd Fox (a 1998 business management alumnus), owners of Fox Den Cold Brew Coffee, serve a pair of students who stopped by "The Rock" on Monday from a nearby surveying class.
    Buttons, both for first-generation students and their advocates, are ripe for the picking.
    Buttons, both for first-generation students and their advocates, are ripe for the picking.
    The Center for Academic Excellence hosted a Tuesday afternoon workshop on First-Generation Financial Success, in which Lizze R. Winters, College Relations' career and professional programming manager, offers tools and tips for building a budget. Benefiting from her insight are Jacob A. Frere (center), of Phelps, N.Y., enrolled in heavy construction equipment technology: Caterpillar equipment emphasis; and Valentino A. Barillaro, a welding & fabrication engineering technology student from Shamokin Dam.
    The Center for Academic Excellence hosted a Tuesday afternoon workshop on First-Generation Financial Success, in which Lizze R. Winters, College Relations' career and professional programming manager, offers tools and tips for building a budget. Benefiting from her insight are Jacob A. Frere (center), of Phelps, N.Y., enrolled in heavy construction equipment technology: Caterpillar equipment emphasis; and Valentino A. Barillaro, a welding & fabrication engineering technology student from Shamokin Dam.
    For starters, Winters' primer on spending – and who couldn't use some practical advice on THAT subject? – considered the importance of weighing wants vs. needs.
    For starters, Winters' primer on spending – and who couldn't use some practical advice on THAT subject? – considered the importance of weighing wants vs. needs.
    First-generation students move through the lunch line Wednesday on the second floor of The Madigan Library ...
    First-generation students move through the lunch line Wednesday on the second floor of The Madigan Library ...
    ... where staff mentors (including Daniel J. Clasby, assistant dean of academic operations) engaged them and their champions.
    ... where staff mentors (including Daniel J. Clasby, assistant dean of academic operations) engaged them and their champions.
    A banner outside the CAE, on the first floor of the Davie Jane Gilmour Center, says it all.
    A banner outside the CAE, on the first floor of the Davie Jane Gilmour Center, says it all.
    Counseling Services information resurfaces at the week-ending social, indicative of the college's pervasive collaborative focus on encouraging student success.
    Counseling Services information resurfaces at the week-ending social, indicative of the college's pervasive collaborative focus on encouraging student success.
    Friday's social provided an informal venue for sharing of ideas, making sure first-generation students are aware of existing programs (and having the opportunity to suggest additional services of value).
    Friday's social provided an informal venue for sharing of ideas, making sure first-generation students are aware of existing programs (and having the opportunity to suggest additional services of value). Clockwise from left foreground are Frere; Andrew J. Graham, of Nicholson, network administration & engineering technology; Kaysey L. Beury, coordinator of student success solutions; Christie A. Bing Kracker, the center's director; Abby R. Root, of Lawrenceville; and Samantha S. Theriault, of Taylor, dental hygiene.
    Day after day, there's no shortage of affirmation!
    Day after day, there's no shortage of affirmation!
    Beury, front and center for much of the week's observance, apprises the group of the Alpha Alpha Alpha National Honor Society for First-Generation College Students. If sufficient interest exists, it's possible Penn College could have a Tri-Alpha chapter as early as next year.
    Beury, front and center for much of the week's observance, apprises the group of the Alpha Alpha Alpha National Honor Society for First-Generation College Students. If sufficient interest exists, it's possible Penn College could have a Tri-Alpha chapter as early as next year.

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