With record participation, Elon first-generation stole ceremony honors resilience and community

Elon University celebrated the achievements of its first-generation students on Wednesday afternoon during the annual first-generation stole ceremony in McKinnon Hall. From the moment you walked into space, you could feel it. The sheer excitement, deep sense of community and heartfelt pride radiating from mentors, faculty, staff, friends and family members as they gathered alongside the soon-to-be graduates.

Organized by First-Generation Student Support Services, an initiative within the Center for Access and Success, this year’s ceremony marked a milestone, as over sixty students participated in the stole presentation ceremony, marking it as the largest turnout since the inaugural ceremony in 2020.

“To see this year’s First-Generation Stole Ceremony reach its largest participation yet is both inspiring and affirming,” Elle Collins, executive director for the Center for Access and Success, said. “It reflects not just numerical growth, but a powerful cultural shift [and] recognition that first-generation students are not only present, but valued, celebrated, and deeply supported at Elon.” 

Despite recently beginning her role, Collins emphasized the impact of witnessing the dynamic milestone. “It has been incredibly moving to witness the deep and unified commitment across Elon from Student Life and Academic Affairs to faculty, staff and community organizations who have all rallied behind the success, empowerment and recognition of our first-generation students,” Collins said.

Kenneth Brown ’19, assistant director of First-Generation Student Support Services, echoed Collins’ sentiment on the impact of the ceremony’s milestone and Elon’s commitment to supporting first-generation students.

“It’s a testament to the work that has been done across campus to create opportunities for first-generation students to come together and see their identity as something to be proud of and not a hindrance,” Brown said.  “This is a big moment for the university, especially as a campus that champions these students.”

The spirit of pride, support and recognition continued throughout the ceremony, which featured reflections from student keynote speaker Archie Tan ’25, a charge from Jonathan A. McElderry, dean of student inclusive excellence and assistant professor, and the announcement of the 2025 1891 award recipients.

Redefining ‘first’

During Tan’s keynote address, he shared how the first-generation slogan “to be first” resonates with him and influenced his path.

“For me, ‘to be first’ means thinking outside the box, stepping outside your comfort zone and sticking to what you believe is right, even when others doubt you.”

He continued providing a candid look into his first-generation experiences, sharing his doubts, challenges, triumphs and successes. Coming from a low-socioeconomic background, he pursued financial support by applying to multiple scholarships to achieve his dream of attending college. Despite facing numerous rejections, he persisted and was eventually awarded the Golden Door Scholarship.

Tan emphasized that there was no guidebook to help navigate these obstacles, but his determination to achieve his dream and perseverance were key in overcoming them, turning each challenge into a valuable learning experience.

“This taught me many lessons: not to be afraid of rejection, to believe there is always a way to achieve your goals, to believe in yourself, to be brave, [and] to take the first steps, Tan said.

For me, ‘to be first’ means thinking outside the box, stepping outside your comfort zone and sticking to what you believe is right, even when others doubt you.

Archie Tan ’25

Tan closed his speech by encouraging students to embrace opportunities of being first and challenging them to create their own guidebooks.

“Every first experience was a step toward mastering the art of being first. You don’t need to compare yourself with others,” he said. “Each first experience is an opportunity to grow. I’ve learned that being first is not just about leading the way but also about the resilience and innovation you bring to every new challenge.”

A full-circle moment

The ceremony transitioned to the stole presentation ceremony following Tan’s remarks.  During this segment, students were presented a first-generation stole by individuals who significantly impacted their success during their time at Elon.

Jose Alex Reyes Arias ’25, who was among the 60-plus students who participated, spoke on the impact of his mentor, Vanessa Bravo, professor of strategic communications and assistant dean of the School of Communications, who presented his stole during the ceremony. “To now being at the First-Gen Stole Ceremony, it felt surreal to know that I’ve come so far, but it would not have been possible without Dr. Bravo,” Reyes Arias said.

Jasmine Walker ’25, also shared her feelings on the impact of having her professor, Sandra Reid, senior lecturer in human service studies, present her stole.

“Having my professor give me my First-Gen stole was such a full-circle moment,” Walker said. “It meant so much to be recognized by someone who has been in my corner these past few years. This ceremony reminded me I’m not alone in this journey, and that’s something I’ll always carry with me.”

Along with the stole, students received an Elon lapel pin, sponsored by the Office of Alumni Engagement, signifying their entry into the Elon alumni family.

“The Elon lapel pin is far more than a symbol; it’s a statement of identity and pride,” Collins said. “As our graduates join the global community of first-generation alumni, we hope they wear it not just on graduation day, but throughout their journeys as a visible reminder of how far they’ve come and how far they will go.

No manual, only determination

The event continued with an inspirational charge to the soon-to-be graduates from Jonathan McElderry, dean of students for inclusive excellence and assistant professor. A proud first-generation college graduate himself, he expressed to students that he firsthand understood their experiences of “being first.”

“Being first-generation is not just a part of my story—it is the foundation of who I am,” he said. “It has shaped the way I lead, the way I build community, and the way I strive to create spaces that honor the brilliance that first-gen graduates bring.

Like Tan, McElderry provided insight on navigating challenges without a guide but ultimately overcoming them. “There’s no manual for navigating uncertainty, disappointment or change–but we do it anyway. We grow. We stretch. We learn,” McElderry said.

He also underscored the importance of stepping out of one’s comfort zone and being a trailblazer.

“When fear rises, remember–you can’t finish what you don’t face,” he said. “Try something new. Step out of your comfort zone. I didn’t have all the answers when I started, and truthfully, I still don’t. But every milestone I’ve reached, I began with no prior experience. I just believed it was possible.

McElderry closed his address, reiterating the Center for Access and Success’ values, charging students to lead with authenticity, move with passion, build empowered communities, stay connected to their story and path, and to celebrate their wins.

“You are the dream realized. You are the future of higher education, of leadership, of innovation, and of justice,” he said.

Honoring trailblazers: 1891 Awards presentation

Following McElderry’s motivational charge, the ceremony shifted to the awards announcement of the 2025 1891 Award recipients, named in honor of Elon University’s first graduating class in 1891.

“Just like our students, those students were trailblazers, paving the way for hundreds more classes to come,” Cici Salazar ‘23, graduate apprentice for first-generation initiatives, said during the opening of the awards presentation.

The awards recognize five individuals who have advanced first-generation student success. Each recipient embodies one of the values of First-Gen Initiatives: empowerment, celebratory, community, passion and authenticity.

• 1891 Award of Empowerment: Brandy Propst, director of Elon 1010 and assistant director of academic advising.
• 1891 Award of Celebratory: Nicole Galante ’19 G’21, assistant director of national and international fellowships.
• 1891 Award of Community: Emma Calhoun G’25, the graduate apprentice for the Odyssey Program
• 1891 Award of Passion: Kimberly Romero, director for diversity & access for undergraduate admissions
• 1891 Award of Authenticity: Laker Figueroa ’25

A final charge: come alive and lead with purpose

Brown provided closing remarks, acknowledging that the soon-to-be graduates are entering a world of uncertainty. However, he expressed hope, noting that seeing the strong community the students have built reassures him that things will be okay.

Expanding on the sentiment shared each year by President Connie Ledoux Book during commencement, proclaiming that “the world needs Elon graduates,” Brown built upon the statement, incorporating the words of Rev. Howard Thurman.

“The world needs Elon graduates who have come alive,” Brown said.

“As you go into the world, do what wisdom Rev. Dr. Howard Thurman says and ‘come alive,” he continued. “The world will take your talents and manipulate them, but Thurman says, ‘Ask what makes you come alive and go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.’”