Celebrating Milestones, Embracing Possibilities
The Office of First-Generation Student Success is proud to announce the First Annual Stoling Ceremony for first-generation students at Michigan State University.
We are extremely grateful to Mike and Michele Alston for their generous gift to make this event possible. The Alston’s are excited to play a role in building affinity and sense of belonging for first-generation students.
All first-gen students graduating in Spring, Summer, and Fall of 2025 are invited to attend the Stoling Ceremony.
If you are interested in applying to be the student keynote speaker, scroll down for more information!
For those who cannot attend the ceremony but wish to receive a first-gen stole, there will be more information for picking up stoles at a different time.
If you have any questions, please contact us at firstgen@msu.edu.
The date for the 2026 First-Gen Stoling Ceremony will be announce later in the Fall 2025 Semester. Stay Tuned!
Fall 2025 Graduates: You are welcome to pick up your stole this semester or during First-Gen Week hosted November 3rd-7th, 2025. More information about stole distribution and graduate recognition will be emailed to you closer to the date of the event.
If you have any questions, please contact us at FirstGen@msu.edu. Thanks!
Apply to be the Student Keynote Speaker!
At the 1st Annual First-Gen Stoling Ceremony, a graduating first-gen Spartan will have the opportunity to be a student keynote speaker. Students will be asked to share their first-gen story in a 10 minute speech. Student speakers must identify as first-generation and be graduating from MSU in the 2025 calendar year and able to attend the stoling ceremony on April 14th from 5-7PM.
This information will be updated early Spring 2026 for the 2026 Stoling Ceremony. Stay Tuned!
