New Student & Family Programs will host a celebration to honor the successes of graduating first-generation students and their families. The university classifies "first-gen" as any student whose parent(s) or guardian(s) did not graduate from a four-year higher education institution.

The celebration reception will be held at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, May 9, with remarks by our distinguished guests at 6 p.m. A location will be sent to students after they RSVP.

At the reception, graduating students will receive a sliver stole with an embroidered "First-Generation Graduate" designation. Students are encouraged to wear the stole at the celebration and their commencement ceremony. Light hors d'oeuvres and beverages will be provided along with plenty of photo opportunities.

First-generation graduates can RSVP themselves and guests at the following RSVP link.

Please contact Skyler Ames-Patton, assistant director, at sbames@uark.edu if you have any questions.