On Wednesday, November 8 Warren Wilson College celebrated National First-Generation Day, a time to recognize the achievements and raise awareness of first-generation college students as well as first-generation faculty, staff, and alumni. 22% of our freshman class identify as first-generation students.
Click through the photos below to see some of our first-generation students, faculty and staff.
Message from President Damián J. Fernández:
First Generation Owls, we honor you!
At Warren Wilson College we are committed to advancing our support for first-generation college students. This year we welcomed an incoming class that includes 22% identifying as first-generation students. As we renew our focus on inclusive excellence and better student outcomes we recommit to removing barriers to access– whether that is college affordability, classroom engagement, co-curricular experiences, or opportunities for career exploration. We have good work ahead of us, but I am proud of our community’s shared commitment to engage with and broaden our diversity.
Please join WWC’s Office of Inclusive Excellence and the Office of the First Year Experience today as we celebrate National First-Generation Day, a time to recognize the achievements and raise awareness of first-generation college students as well as first-generation faculty, staff, and alumni. In addition to connecting community members to resources throughout the day at the First Gen Hub (all located in the Gladfelter lobby), we will feature a first-gen display in the Library. Today’s events will conclude at 4pm with a virtual First-Generation Panel Discussion featuring the experiences of WWC first-generation students and professionals.
Whether you are a student, staff, faculty, or alumnus, who identifies as first-generation or you are a member of the community desiring to learn about the first-gen experience, we invite you to join in on the celebration. The more we engage with the variety of the human condition, the more prepared we are to transform the world. This is the Warren Wilson way.
In Solidarity,
Damian J. Fernandez, Ph.D.
President (and First-Generation College Graduate)
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- Jae MacDonell is a freshman Sociology/Anthropology major and Global Studies and Art minor. Jae is a member of the Black Student Union and works on the Wilson Inclusion, Diversity, and Equity (WIDE) Crew.
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- Christian Palacio is a senior History major who works on the WIDE Crew and serves as the President of the Latinx(e) Student Collective.
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- Madeleine Blazer is the Web Content Specialist in the Marketing Department at Warren Wilson. “Working on the website, it’s very important for me to have the perspective I do as a first-generation student. I make sure the content on the website is accessible to other first-generation students.”
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- Paddington Mbumbgwa ’23 is an alum of Warren Wilson. He was a double major in Biochemistry and Mathematics, and after college he traveled to California to start medical school.
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- Dr. Damián J. Fernández is the President of Warren Wilson College. He is a Cuban immigrant who grew up in Puerto Rico.
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- Anthony Varela is a freshman Data Science major who works on the Dining Crew, is a member of the Latinx(e) Student Collective and plays lacrosse.
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- Tacci Smith is the Dean of Students and is responsible for all aspects of Student Affairs.