UF celebrated students who are the first in their family to go to college Friday on National First-Generation Day.
In honor of first-gen students, a new garden was planted at the Field and Fork Pantry gardens, and events were hosted in collaboration with Field and Fork, First-Generation Student Success and the First Generation Organization, said Anna Prizzia, director of the pantry.
As a former first-generation college student, Prizzia said she knows the value of being supported.
“I’ve been excited about the first-gen students reaching out,” she said. “We want the garden to be a diverse place for students to feel welcome.”
About 22 percent of UF students are first-generation, according to a UF enrollment website.
Brian Fernandez, First Generation Organization treasurer and 22-year-old UF history and political science senior, coordinated the event with Richard Blake, First-Generation Student Success assistant director and a UF marriage and family counseling master’s alumnus.
Fernandez’s grandparents immigrated from Cuba to Miami. He’s the first in his family to attend college.
“First-generation, to me, really means that you’re a pioneer in your family,” Fernandez said. “You pave the way for future generations to come.”
Earlier that day a picnic was hosted for first-generation students on Plaza of the Americas, where students lined up for free pizza, games and green “I Am First!” T-shirts.
The event featured several campus organizations including the Machen Florida Opportunity Scholars Program and the UF Office of Academic Support.
The program was created by former UF President Bernie Machen in 2005 to cover expenses for low-income first-generation students at UF and has helped about 5,000 students, said Leslie Pendleton, MFOS senior director. This semester, there are 1,200 MFOS scholars.
“Being first-year means you’re a trailblazer,” she said. “Being able to develop a strong base and network of support here at UF is helpful for first-gen students.”
Over the summer, the Florida Prepaid College Foundation and UF pooled nearly $1 million for 30 four-year scholarships for first-generation students starting as freshmen this semester.
Julianna Panton, a 19-year-old UF psychology sophomore, is one of this semester’s MFOS scholars.
She said the biggest challenge she faced was being unable to go to her Jamaican family for college advice.
“I think being first-gen is a way to break the barrier within my family and set expectations for future generations to come,” she said.
Correction: This article has been updated to reflect the correct spelling of Julianna Panton, and that the program has 1,200 MFOS scholars this semester, according to Leslie Pendleton.
A garden was planted at the Field & Fork Pantry on Friday in honor of National First-Generation Day.
