Past Events
Fall 2023
First Fryday at Chickie's and Pete's, August 25
Trick or Treat Scavenger Hunt, October 31
National First-Gen Celebration Week, November 6-12
Instagram First Gen Faculty/Staff Highlights
Understanding Your StrengthQuest Top 5
First-Gen Bingo: Terms to Know
First-Gen Rock Climbing
Philadelphia Location, Balance Week, December 5
Spring 2023
First Gen Rams First Social Event, February 9th
First Generation Symposium at Rowan University, February
Fall 2022
First Fryday at Chickie's and Pete's, August 26
Wellness Fair, August 26
Trick or Treat Scavenger Hunt, October 31
National First Generation Celebration Day: November 7-10
Saxby's Coffee, Man on the Street, Instagram Takeover, Q & A Session
First Gen Rams Info Session, November 22
Philadelphia Location Balance Week, December 5
Fall 2021
First Generation Theme Community launches in Tyson Hall, August
First Gen Welcome Event, August 27
An opportunity to meet other first-gen students, hosted by the First Gen Rams student organization.
Fall Involvement Fair, September 9 and 14
Visit hundreds of student organization tables, including First Gen Rams!
Family Weekend, October 17 - 19
Participate in events all weekend with other students and their families!
Homecoming, October 1 - 3
A weekend filled with Ram pride and events for first-gens and the entire campus.
What I Wish I'd Known in My First Year at WCU, October 13
Panel discussion hosted by current student leaders, sharing tips about how to be successful with our newest first-gen students.
National First Generation Celebration Day, November 8
Celebrate with us all week long as we honor our thousands of first-gen students, faculty and staff!
Fall 2020
Welcome Week Meet & Greet, August 22
Meet other first-gen students who are also starting their college career at West Chester University!
Virtual Fall Involvement Fair, August 26
Chat with current members of the West Chester's First student organization, and learn more about all the resources available for our first-gen students
Ram Fam Weekend Trivia Contest, September 26
A fun, interactive event for first-gens and their family members. Prizes awarded to the top three teams!
De-Stress with Pets, October 14
First-gens and their animal friends came together to meet Muddy Puddles, WCU's own therapy dog. Dr. Rachel Daltry from Counseling Serviced shared ways that our pets can help us reduce stress.
Homecoming 2020 - Out of This World: October 19 - 24
Comedian Ian Lara...5k Run or 1 Mile Walk..."Space Jam" watch party...Church Street Zoom Fest...Prizes...and so much more!
Spring 2020
Be the First...to Prepare for the Fair! February 17
Led by first-generation staff members in the Career Development Center, this workshop helped first gen students prepare for the upcoming Job and Internship Fair (February 26). Students received help with creating or reviewing their resumes, practicing their "pitch" with employers, learned how to establish and maximize their LinkedIn accounts, and took advantage of the WCU Career Closet. Snacks provided.
Spring Job and Internship Fair, February 26
Students had the opportunity to meet with more than 100 employers to learn about potential internships and job opportunities, plus get FREE professional headshots!
Etiquette Dinner, February 27
As meals are frequently part of the experience with prospective employers, West Chester University alumni joined our students to learn about the rules of etiquette, including how to interview during a meal, and how to navigate through a five-course dinner. The dinner taught the importance of table conversation, cell phone usage do's and don'ts, first impressions, and more. Students also learned about dining norms from other cultures.
Fall 2019
Move-In Weekend: West Chester's First T-Shirt Distribution, August 24 - 25
Members of all the West Chester's First committees were in residence hall lobbies and at commuter student events to distribute West Chester's First t-shirts to first year students who are the newest members of our first generation community.
Fall Involvement Fair, September 4
Hundreds of first gen students stopped by the West Chester's First table at the Fall Involvement Fair, to pick up information about campus resources, and get some West Chester's First giveaways!
Family Weekend - First Generation Family Reception, October 5
First gen students and their families enjoyed coffee and desserts, and heard insights, tips and advice from current first generation students about how to be successful at WCU.
First Generation Celebration Day, November 8
West Chester University joined schools across the country to honor and celebrate our first gen students! A Resource Fair, giveaways, events and a West Chester's First class photo with Rammy were the highlights of the day.
Iced Coffee & Hot Chocolate Giveaway, December 9 - 10
Our first gen students enjoyed special treats in Sykes Student Union, to help them prepare for finals.
December
Watch for a special note in the mail from West Chester's First committee members!
Spring 2019
The Spring Job and Internship Fair, February 27
Career Ambassadors assisted first generation students at the fair by providing a 'First Time Tour' at two designated times. Ambassadors were also available for personal tours to any student who requested one.
Opportunity Knocks: Student/Employer Meet Up, March 21
A partnership between the TCDC and the Main Line Chamber of Commerce, first gens met one-on-one with companies that have a demonstrated commitment to supporting first generation college students.
Pre-Banana Day Event, April 17
Current first gen WCU student leaders met with new first gen students to provide insights into this unique WCU tradition, including strategies for how to win a coveted Banana Day t-shirt.
Ramboree: A WCU Tradition, April 26
First gen students participated in this new West Chester University tradition by creating tie-dye t-shirts, and received vouchers to enjoy some free food from the food trucks brought on campus for the event.
End of Semester Well Wishes, May
Members of the West Chester’s First committees—now expanded from the initial planning committee to include subcommittees focused on Academics, Communications, Living Learning/Theme Housing, Programs, and Mentoring—once again sent personalized postcards to all the first year first gen students, congratulating them on successfully completing their first year at West Chester University
Fall 2018
First Gen Kick Off, August 24
Incoming first year, first gen students and their family members enjoyed lunch, networking with faculty & staff, and received their West Chester's First t-shirt to kick off their first semester at WCU with a special appearance by President Fiorentino. Students also received valuable resources from financial aid, academic support services, and tips on how to get involved in the university community.
Involvement Fair, September 5
West Chester's First committee members hosted a table at the Fair, providing information to first gen students and distributing West Chester's First buttons
"What I Wish I'd Known," October 1
A panel discussion and lunch featuring current first generation student leaders, sharing information and tips with new first generation students about how to be more successful at WCU.
Family Weekend Events, October 13 - Foundation Family Picnic
A West Chester's First table was hosted at Matlack Field with first gen student leaders distrbuting t-shirts and information about the first gen initiative.
Family Weekend Events, October 13 - "Beans with the Deans"
Academic Affairs and Student Affairs deans mixed and mingled with first gen students and their family members over a cup of coffee, and enjoyed piano music provided by one of WCU's music students.
Homecoming Weekend: Church Street Fest, November 3
Committee members hosted a table with a putting green as a part of the Homecoming festivities. Students who got a "first" -a hole in one- were entered into a drawing for a prize bag filled with WCU giveways.
Stress Less Event, November 12
Information about how to relieve stress, along with hot chocolate, temporary tattoos, and a visit from one of WCU's therapy dogs highlighted this event for first generation students
December
Members of the current first gen committee sent personalized postcards to all the first year first gen students, congratulating them on completing their first semester of college and wishing them a relaxing semester break.