A college education is about more than earning a degree. It is about going further, opening doors, and creating opportunities for generations to come.
That spirit is woven into Wright State University’s identity, inspired by the curiosity and determination of the Wright Brothers, who dared to imagine what was possible. Orville Wright’s question, “If birds can glide for long periods of time, then… why can’t I?” captures that same spirit of possibility embodied by first-generation college students. By earning their degrees, these students are not only pursuing their own dreams but also helping future generations envision what is possible.
In April 2026, the Academic Engagement team brought this belief to life by hosting Wright State’s inaugural First-Generation Student Graduation Reception, honoring graduating first-generation students and their families.
Building First-Generation Students Belonging
The 2025–2026 academic year marked an exciting period of growth for first-generation student success efforts at Wright State University. We introduced new programs and expanded opportunities for students to build connections, access resources, and celebrate their achievements.
With support from the Wright State University Foundation’s Students First Fund Grant, we repurposed a large office suite in the Student Success Center and transformed it into the Raiders First Student Center. Home to the Academic Engagement Team, First-Year Experiences, and the University Honors Program, the center also serves as a welcoming lounge for students to study, connect, and recharge between classes. The center welcomed hundreds of students throughout the year, fostering community and belonging, and was guided by its tagline: “Celebrating first-year, first-gen, and beyond!”
We also expanded first-generation programming, launching a welcome gathering at the start of the academic year and turning our First-Generation College Celebration Day into a weeklong celebration. Partnerships across campus created opportunities for students to explore career and academic opportunities through college networking events, a FAFSA and scholarship workshop, a courtside basketball experience, and study abroad scholarship information.
During February’s Homecoming, Academic Engagement partnered with Alumni Relations to bring first-generation students and alumni together for an evening of dinner, dancing, games, and networking. The gathering created opportunities for students to connect with alumni who had once stood where they stood and to envision what might be possible beyond graduation.
Each initiative strengthened our first-generation community. But one experience brought the significance of this work into especially clear focus.
A New Tradition: The First-Generation Student Graduation Reception
As we prepared our application to join the FirstGen Forward Network, we learned that nearly half of our first-year students identified as first-generation. This reinforced the importance of recognizing the lasting impact of their educational journeys, which led us to celebrate our graduating students.
Our First-Generation Student Graduation Reception welcomed nearly 200 guests for dinner, live music, a keynote speaker who shared a first-generation perspective, and a special graduation stole presentation.
Each graduate received a complimentary first-generation graduation stole, a certificate of recognition, and a lapel pin featuring Wright State’s “Go Further” message.
A Stole and a Legacy
The most moving moment of the evening was the graduation stole presentation.
Rather than simply handing each graduate a stole, we invited them to choose someone meaningful in their lives to place it around their neck, honoring the people whose love, sacrifices, and encouragement helped make graduation possible.
Some students chose parents or grandparents, while others honored professors and mentors. Several graduates who were parents chose their own children, making the moment especially powerful. They were not only celebrating their own achievements but also showing the next generation what is possible.
Celebrating More Than a Degree
As the reception came to a close, students and their families reflected on the significance of celebrating not only their graduation but also their achievement as first-generation college graduates.
Andrea Hernandez, a member of Wright State University’s Class of 2026 and a first-generation graduate who attended the reception, shared why these celebrations matter:
“As a first-generation college graduate, I understand how overwhelming higher education can feel when you are navigating it for the first time. One of the most meaningful parts of my journey was connecting with other first-generation students and realizing I was not alone in the challenges I faced. Seeing others with similar experiences gave me a sense of belonging and reminded me that success was possible. That is why celebrating first-generation graduates is so meaningful. Their accomplishments represent not only their own hard work, but also the hopes and sacrifices of the families who supported them along the way.”
As Wright State continues to strengthen its commitment to first-generation student success, we look forward to building on this momentum, expanding campus-wide efforts, and celebrating the students who are not only opening doors for themselves, but impacting their families and communities for generations to come.
For more information on Wright State University’s approach, please visit wright.edu.
