For first-generation college grads, commencement is an extra special occasion as they celebrate a milestone accomplishment for themselves and their families. A few of those graduates at Trevecca shared their stories and hopes for the future.
Chane DeBeer
History and Education
How does it feel to be the first of your family to graduate?
It feels amazing. I’m from South Africa and as the first, I just feel like there's a lot riding on my shoulders. I know they're proud of me and I'm proud of myself. It feels like I'm soaring on cloud nine right now. I'm just so incredibly proud of this journey and so grateful for the sacrifices of my parents.
What are your future plans?
I just gave my honors defense, and I'm trying to turn that defense into a book. I'm also trying to enter a master’s/Ph.D. program in history. I'm all about advocating for education in South Africa. I want to bring more about advocacy and education in third world countries to a first world perspective. Hopefully one day you'll see me doing a TED Talk!
Faith Brooks
Psychology
How does it feel to be the first of your family to graduate?
It feels like a privilege and I can't believe it. I've been dreaming of this day since I was a little girl.
I could hear my family, who came all the way from Maryland, calling my name as I walked across the stage. It's been an honor and I'm really proud to be a part of my family as the first.
What are your future plans?
I hope to eventually get my Ph.D. in psychology and be a psychology professor.
What does Trevecca mean to you?
Trevecca means the world to me. I’ve made the best friends and it has been amazing to have these memories that I'll cherish for the rest of my life.
Salama Edita
Intercultural Studies
How does it feel to be the first of your family to graduate?
It feels overwhelming but it's the best experience I've ever had. As soon as I stepped on this campus, it felt electric. I felt that God was calling me to this place, and that he was calling me specifically to the religion department to study his word and his character. Since then, I have grown so much in my faith. My younger sister is coming to Trevecca too, so I'm excited to have someone else continue the legacy and graduate as well one day.
How does it feel to have your little sister and your family watch you walk the stage?
It's the best thing ever. It was a hard journey, but I knew that I was doing it for her, and I knew I was doing it for my family from Brunei, for their sacrifices and all the things that they went through like displacement, leaving their home country, wars and a lot of affliction. It feels like God's provision was with me the whole time, so the fact that I can pass my baton to my little sister is the best experience of my life.
Anan Shaibu
Social Work
How does it feel to be the first of your family to graduate?
It means so much to be able to walk the stage and feel how proud my family is. They sacrificed for this and for them to be able to see it and live it through me has been a blessing.
What's next for you?
My future plans are to do a master’s here, my master’s in social work. I was born and raised in Kenya, but my father is Sudanese so I will be able to go back to Sudan and see my grandparents to celebrate this accomplishment with them. I know they're cheering and they're so excited. They've sent videos and pictures and I just could feel them cheering me on and being proud of me.