Friday, May 1, 2025, from 4:00pm to 6:00pm

 Inspiration Hall

 

The First-Generation Committee is honored to host the First-Generation Graduation Celebration for 2026!

Participating graduate candidates will be awarded a blue and silver honor cord. The students may elect to wear their honor cords at the official university commencement ceremony. 

Registration for this event will close on Friday, April 26, 2026 at 11:59pm.

If you have any questions, please contact the event administor atfirstgen@montana.eduor by
phone at 406-994-7455.

 denotes required fields.

RSVP
If no, you will be emailed when your cord and certificate is ready to be picked up on campus.
Basic Information
e.g. Louise (Loo-ees); Mackenzie (Muh-Ken-Zee)
If different than on certificate, to confirm graduation
e.g. Business (B.S.)
Contact Information
Biography
Your Biography, approximately 30-100 words to be read aloud at the ceremony.

It is encouraged that you include:

  • degree you are graduating with and major/minor(s)
  • other degrees you have
  • extracurriculars, activities, interests at MSU including leadership roles
  • plans for the future (graduate school, job, etc.)

Optional additional information:

  • hometown
  • long term goals
  • values and interests
Tips:
  • Write in the third person (using your name or pronoun instead of “I”)
  • The name of your degree subject is lower case except for words that are proper nouns (ex: chemistry, botany, English, Japanese)
  • If you include the full name of the degree, capitalize as such: She is graduating with a Bachelor of Science in sociology.
  • If it isn’t the full name, use lower case and an apostrophe: They are graduating with a bachelor’s degree in psychology.

If there is anything you have questions about or would like to include, stop by the TRIO SSS Office or email firstgen@montana.edu.

Any biographies longer than 100 words will be edited for clarity and conciseness.

Max 100 Words
Presenter
Each graduate is asked to identify someone who will present them with their blue and silver cord at the celebration. This can be a family member, friend, mentor, or other supporter who has helped you accomplish your goals and achieve your success, someone who has enhanced your life and/or time at MSU in some way.  If you do not have a specific person in mind, you may ask your student club leader to be the presenter.

You will be asked to write a brief introduction of your presenter that will be read aloud at the celebration.  

It is encouraged that you include:

  • Relationship
  • Why it is important for you to have them here to present: What have you learned and gained from this relationship?
Tips:
  • Write in the third person (using your name or pronoun instead of “I”).
  • 20-60 words (shorter than your bio since it’s your graduation!)

If there is anything you have questions about or would like to include, stop by the TRIO SSS Office or email firstgen@montana.edu.

Any biographies longer than 60 words will be edited for clarity and conciseness.

Enter the name of the person you wish to present your blue and silver cord.
e.g. they/them/theirs
Permissions
The following questions detail if you would like to be publicly recognized.

All qualifying graduates will receive their blue and silver cord, certificate, and memorabilia at the celebration.