First Scholars Fall 2019 Semester Newsletter
Summer & August Events
Over the summer, we had the honor of welcoming new First Scholars to K-State! These first-generation students will be able to bond together through monthly events that the first-generation office hosts. Additionally, they will be able to use this office as well as other campus resources during their college experience as they become the first in their family to graduate from college! A warm welcome to our 2019 cohort of First Scholars!
We started this semester off with our annual visit to the K-State Challenge Course. This time allows our new cohort of First Scholars to bond together through challenges that require team effort to complete. These challenges include using their communication and leadership skills to create a plan that will allow everyone to walk across wooden logs to get from one side to the other. These activities are engaging and highly mind stimulating.
This Challenge Course activity required the students to rely on each other through a human chain as each person crossed wires and wooden logs until they got to a swinging rope that had to be passed along after each person completed the task.
September Events
We had the pleasure of having Eric and Deb Suder visit our First-generation student lounge (located in 101 Holtz Hall) to visit with our First Scholars and give them personal advice and encouragement as each student shared their short and long-term goals. Thank you to the Suders for their continued support of first-generation students here at K-State!
We hosted our first FriYay of the semester on Friday, September 6th. The first Friday of each month is dedicated to hosting a gathering to bring awareness of first-generation students so that other students are aware of the resources and events that the office proivdes. Any student or faculty member may stop by for a snack and to see our upcoming events and learn about what the Office of First Generation Students has to offer.
October Events
This year we decided to go back to Britt’s Farm and enjoy their pumpkin patch, hayrack ride, and corn maze! Once our exploring through the corn maze was done, we ended the night with a bonfire and enjoyed some s’mores. A special thank you to Britt’s Farm for hosting us again!
November Events
November 8th will always be a special place in our hearts as this is the National First-generation Student Celebration Day! This day is dedicated to celebrate our first-generation students and the successes they have accomplished. This year we decided to have a whole week of celebration with a new event each day that students could participate in. The week of celebration ended with our “1 party” where we hosted a huge celebration for all students to come and enjoy the festivities put on by the Office of First-generation Students, Union Program Council (UPC), K-State First, and other campus partners. Additionally, we held an art competition in which first-generation students had the opportunity to showcase their talents.
This art piece was created by First-generation graduate student Arobelle Andrews and it is entitled “Within.” Arobelle explains her artwork as “the struggles in life are like turbulent waves, but it’s up to us to use those waves to rise to the surface and reach the fresh air. We can be stuck drowning in our struggles or face those challenges head on and use them to move past our limits and rise above the water. The tree symbolizes the growth that comes from within and allowing us to see that we can view life as beautiful as nature. Overall, being limited in what you have (information/resources/support) does not mean you have to confine yourself within boundaries, it just means you push pass those limits.”
This photograph was taken by first-year and First-generation student Dylan Connell. Dylan says that working for the Collegian and studying photography at K-State has advanced his skills to levels he couldn’t picture before. He says that he is grateful to be a First-generation student at K-State.
December Event
We capped the year off with our annual First-generation End of Semester Celebration! We had cookie decorations, a hot chocolate and popcorn bar, and games that included trying to unwrap gifts from a saran ball all while using oven mitts! Quite the challenge but the students prevailed.
Fall 2019 Graduates
Lastly, we want to say congratulations to our Fall 2019 graduates!
Jessie Carr
Jessie graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Family Studies and Human Services. She accepted a position as an extension agent in Wyandotte County. Congratulations, Jessie!
Katie Gehring
Katie Gehring graduated with Summa Cum Laude Honors with a Bachelor of Science degree in Family Studies and Human Services as well as a Bachelor of Arts degree in Spanish. Katie has accepted a facilitator position with Healthier Lyon County! Congratulations, Katie!
Essence Rush
Essence graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and is serving as a long-term substitute at an elementary school in Manhattan. Congratulations, Essence!
Upcoming Events
Our first event for the Spring 2020 semester is Ice Skating! This will be held on Sunday, February 16th from 7:30 – 9 pm and it will take place in the City Park Ice Skating Rink located at Poyntz Avenue & 11th Street. We ask that each student bring $3.50 for skate rentals.
(Flyer is included below)
