Boston University First-Gen College Celebration

Join the Newbury Center and the entire BU community as we celebrate the achievements and experiences of our first-generation undergraduate, graduate, and professional students. While the official date for the National First-Generation College Celebration is November 8th, we’re celebrating for a week and a half.  All times listed below are EDT/EST.  Keep checking back because we’ll be adding more events between now and November 8th!

The Newbury Center and the entire BU community events:

Thank you to everyone who joined the National First-Generation College Celebration events. Please look below to see all the amazing past events from the BU First-Gen celebration.

Past Events from the Celebration:

Thursday, November 4th:

  • 5-6PM: A Field Guide to Grad School with Jessica McCrory Calarco (Zoom)
    • Join the Newbury Center and Professional Development & Postdoctoral Affairs as we kick off the Boston University First-gen College Celebration with a talk presented by Dr. Jessica McCrory Calarco, author of A Field Guide to Graduate School: Uncovering the Hidden Curriculum.
      FREE BOOK! Pick up yours while supplies last!

      • Charles River Campus:  Newbury Center, 755 Commonwealth Ave, Suite B18 or Office of Research, 1 Silber Way, 9th Flr Rm 904
      • BUMC – C3 Office L306; GSDM Student Affairs, 635 Albany St; SPH, Talbot 219E; or SOM Student Affairs A208

Friday, November 5th:

  • 9-11AM: Fuel Up Friday (Newbury Center)
  • 4:30-5:30PM BU Arts Initiative November First Friday -Painting and Popcorn- Located at the BUild Lab (730 Commonwealth Ave) Paint your own pot for plants and enjoy some popcorn and beverages. We especially want to welcome and celebrate our BU First Gen Students!
  • 5-6PM: Virtual First-Gen Friday for Grad & Professional Students (Zoom)

Saturday, November 6th: 

  • 3-5:30PM: W Boston University NCAA Division I Athletics Women’s Ice Hockey vs. UConn (Walter Brown Arena): Cheer on the BU Women’s Ice Hockey team when they take on the UConn Huskies! Admission is free through registration at GoTerriers.com/Firstgen

Monday, November 8th:

  • 9:30-11AM: From Surviving to Thriving in College Breakfast & Workshop with Rachel Gable (George Sherman Union Terrace Lounge, 2nd Floor)
    This workshop is open to first-generation undergraduate students. Rachel will discuss topics such as peer connections, extracurricular commitments, academics, finding mentors, and off-campus engagements. Exercises will be framed in the context of self-reflection, self-advocacy, and self-care. A hot breakfast will be served from 9:30-10AM so be sure to register!
  • 12-1:15PM: The Hidden Curriculum with Rachel Gable (George Sherman Union Auditorium, 2nd Floor)
    Join author Rachel Gable for a talk on her book, “Hidden Curriculum: First Generation Students at Legacy Universities”. Rachel will talk about how the book came about and help the audience learn to identify and evaluate the tacit rules and norms of your classroom, extracurricular experiences, and develop strategies to articulate and critique those norms when they contradict the expressed values of the institution or group. This talk is open to the entire BU community and everyone is invited to attend the First-gen College Celebration in Metcalf Hall in the George Student Union for refreshments and activities immediately afterwards.  Please REGISTER for the Zoom link.
  • 1-6PM: National First-Gen College Celebration (George Sherman Union Metcalf Hall Ballroom, 2nd Floor)
    The entire BU community (students, faculty, and staff) is invited to take part in this event–fun activities like writing 1,000 notes of encouragement, games, free chair massages, giveaways like Terrier F1RTS swag AND Convenience Points, and LOTS OF FREE FOOD!

  • Connecting with your First Gen Community:  Hosted by first-gen staff and students in Residence Life, stop by our tables in The Towers and the West Campus Dining Hall for the opportunity to learn about campus resources for first-generation students and to connect with others in the community.
    • 2-5PM: Tabling at Towers
    • 12-3PM: Tabling at West Campus Dining Hall
  • 3-4PM: A National Celebration Centering First-gen Voices will feature a panel of first-gen students and graduates sharing insight into their experience, moderated by Dr. Quintin B. Bullock, President, Community College of Allegheny County located in Allegheny Pennsylvania. It is through our understanding of the first-gen identity and experiences we may better align institution resources and support offerings to meet the unique needs of first-gen students.  Sponsored by the Center for First-generation Student Success.

Tuesday, November 9th:

  • 12-1:30PM: Terrier F1RSTS Advocates Training– Part 1 (Undergrads): Upon completion of part 1 (on the first-gen undergrad experience) and part 2 (on the first-gen grad and professional student experience) of the Terrier F1RSTS Advocate Training, you will receive an online form to complete to include your name in our Newbury Center Terrier F1RSTS Advocates online directory so our first-gen students can reach out to you for guidance and advice. You will also receive a Terrier F1RSTS Advocate placard for your office door and a button to wear proudly around campus! Please register here.
  • 5-6:30PM:  OWN IT:  Diversity and Inclusion Networking Event 
    Hosted by the Center for Career Development, the Howard Thurman Center and the Newbury Center.  This event will consist of an alumni panel followed by a speed networking session and student group expo where current students will have an opportunity to connect with alumni, as well as diverse student organizations. Free snacks will be provided and students should register on Handshake to save their spot!
  • 6-7PM: Smart Money: Off-Campus Housing Webinar with – Financial Assistance; BU Smart Money guest speaker webinar series partnered with the Newbury Center. A presentation on the ins and outs of finding off-campus housing by alumni Steph Dasman. Please register here.
  • 6-8:30PM: Boston University NCAA Division I Athletics Women’s Basketball vs. UMass Lowell (Case Gym) – Home Opener! Get your first dose of BU Basketball! The BU Women’s Basketball team hosts their home opener right at Case Gym – “The Roof.” Fans can receive a FREE schedule magnet and rally towel, while supplies last! Admission is free through registration at GoTerriers.com/Firstgen.

Wednesday, November 10th:

Friday, November 12th:

  • 12-1:30PM: First-Gen Friday for Grad & Professional Students (BU Medical Campus)
    First-gen grad and professional students on the BU Medical Campus, join us for our monthly event where we bring the Newbury Center to you!
  • 5-7:30PM: Boston University NCAA Division I: Athletics Men’s Basketball vs. Gordon (Case Gym) – Home Opener; Are you excited to see a championship team? Your BU Men’s Basketball team, who won the Patriot League Championship in 2020, is BACK! Catch the Terriers in their home opener. Fans can receive a FREE schedule magnet and rally towel, while supplies last! FREE PIZZA is also included so be sure to register!  Admission is free through registration at GoTerriers.com/Firstgen.  
  • 7-9:30PM: Boston University NCAA Division I Athletics-Women’s Ice Hockey vs. Holy Cross (Walter Brown Arena); Cheer on the BU Women’s Ice Hockey team when they take on the Holy Cross Crusaders! Admission is free through registration at GoTerriers.com/Firstgen.
  • 7:30 PM: Boston University NCAA Division I Athletics-Men’s Ice Hockey vs. UMass – BU STUDENTS ONLY (Agganis Arena)  Admission is free through registration at GoTerriers.com/Firstgen.

Saturday, November 13th:

  • 11:30AM-6PM: 9th Annual First-Gen Summit (Virtual)
    Attend this free virtual conference that was designed for you by your fellow students across the country.  Open to first-gen and low-income first-gen undergraduates, graduates, and professional students.

Sunday, November 14th:  

7:30-8:30PM:  FLIP@BostonU General Body Meeting (Newbury Center)
Join the official undergraduate organization for the Newbury Center, FLIP@BostonU for their monthly general body meeting.

Social Media Campaigns:

  • College Advising Corps–BU First-Gen Features: CAC-BU will feature first-gen advisers and students on their Instagram (@AdvisingBoston) throughout the week of November 4-12.

View all posts