Celebrating Milestones, Embracing Possibilities
The Office of First-Generation Student Success is proud to announce the Second Annual First-Gen 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 2026 are invited to attend the First-Gen Stoling Ceremony. If you are not available to attend the ceremony, stoles will be available for pick up the week following the event.
If you have any questions, please contact us at firstgen@msu.edu.
Stole Pick Up Information
You can pick up your stole from Bessey Hall, Room 209 at 434 Farm Lane, East Lansing, MI. Please see the times below when the office is open. Only students can receive a stole – 1 stole per student. The student needs to be the one to pick it up and sign for it.
Note: The ones in bold are when the office is open until 7:00PM.
- Thursday, April 23 – 9:00AM-7:00PM
- Friday, April 24 – 9:00AM- 5:00PM
- Monday, April 27 – 9:00AM – 5:00PM
- Tuesday, April 28 – 9:00AM – 7:00PM
- Wednesday, April 29 – 9:00AM – 7:00PM
- Thursday, April 30 – 9:00AM – 5:00PM
- Friday, May 1 – 9:00AM – 5:00PM
If you attended the First-Gen Stoling Ceremony last night and have already received your stole, please disregard this message. If you are planning on graduating in Fall 2026 or after, please watch for additional pick-up instructions during First-Gen Week in November!
Congratulations! Please tag us in your graduation photos showing your first-gen stoles @msu_fli or you can also email us your photos at firstgen@msu.edu!
Apply to be the Student Keynote Speaker!
We’re looking for an inspiring student voice to serve as the featured speaker at the 2026 First-Generation Stoling Ceremony. This is your chance to celebrate your journey, uplift fellow first-gen graduates, and share your story in a powerful 5–7 minute speech.
Eligible speakers must:
- Identify as first-generation student, neither parent/guardian completed a 4-year university or college degree,
- Be graduating from MSU in the 2026 calendar year, and
- Be able to attend the Stoling Ceremony on April 22nd from 6:30–8:30 PM.
- Apply by April 1, 2026 before 11:59PM
