First-Generation Students Honored at New Pinning Ceremony
November 10, 2022
Jayne Seitz, Tamara Farrow and Priya Parikh of First Ospreys getting ready to pin
other first-gen students for the ceremony.
Galloway, N.J. — Students at the Nov. 9 National First-Generation Week Reception learned just how large
of a community they have at Stockton University when Christopher Catching, vice president
of Student Affairs, shared that around 50% of the students here identify as first-generation students.
“Being first-generation is part of the DNA here,” Catching said. “This institution
was founded in 1969 and officially opened in 1971, and it’s always served first-generation
and post-traditional students. Based on this year’s numbers, about 4,700 students
identify as first-gen.”
I hope that, as you navigate your first-gen story, you allow yourself space for your
story to unfold and that you don’t force what’s going to be written on that page."
Ashlee Roberts
First-generation students are students whose parents or immediate families don’t currently hold a four-year
college/university degree. This can impact one’s college experience, as explained
by Priya Parikh, a student and treasurer for First Ospreys.
“Being a first-gen student comes with many struggles, some of which include being
unaware of college processes and filing the FAFSA,” Parikh said.
However, being a first-generation student at Stockton doesn’t have to be a struggle
but an identity to be proud of. After getting support from offices such as Career Education and Development and Financial Aid, both Parikh and Aleyshka Barbosa, president of First Ospreys, can attest to that.
“Being first-generation has been more of a strength of mine here at Stockton University
and our campus culture,” Parikh said. “Being able to present your first-generation
identity on our campus is something to be proud of, and I hope you all leave here
today feeling proud to wear it on your sleeve.”
“I hold (being a part of First Ospreys) super dear to my heart and, my friends will
tell you, being first-gen is one of my biggest identities,” Barbosa said. “I’m very
proud of it, and I hope that you all can feel how proud I am of you all. This is a
big thing to celebrate.”
Catching’s sentiments about the reception mirrored Barbosa’s, as he considered it
a “momentous occasion.”
“We’re committed to serving our first-gen students because we transform lives,” Catching
said. “It’s bigger than you; being the first person in your family to attend college,
chances are that you have people watching you. You may have siblings or cousins depending
on you or even parents who are inspired by you to complete this journey as well.”
In addition to a well-received pasta dinner provided by Chartwells, students who attended
participated in a pinning ceremony.
“This is our celebration and recognition of you all taking this step to earn your
bachelor’s degree,” Ashlee Roberts, executive director of Student Affairs, Strategic
Planning and Initiatives, said as the students of First Ospreys pinned the students.
Roberts went on to explain that the simple blue ribbon was a placeholder for a pin
that will have “First to Soar” engraved on it. Once the students graduate, they will
participate in another ceremony in the spring with pins that will display “First to
Finish.”
Criminal Justice major Navanique Rowe and Biology major Sarah Pemberthy both enjoyed the reception and getting to know each other.
“It was definitely nice to be around different people because I came in here feeling
nervous at first,” Rowe said. “I was glad that I was able to open up. It felt very
welcoming here, and it’s nice to know that there are a lot of first-gen students here.
I’m appreciative of the fact that I took time out to come instead of just going back
to my dorm.”
“I had a great night,” Pemberthy said. “I was excited to meet new people, and I’m
very excited to be a part of First Ospreys. I feel welcome and happy to continue being
a part of it.”
In her closing remarks, Roberts encouraged students to connect with each other as
well as with the staff and faculty.
“The thing that I learned from earning my Ph.D. was that, while it is a solo process,
it is not a journey that you have to do by yourself,” Roberts said. “Even when it’s
challenging, find ways to let people in and tell them what’s going on. I hope that,
as you navigate your first-gen story, you allow yourself space for your story to unfold
and that you don’t force what’s going to be written on that page. There’s so much
to explore.”