Colby Community College joined colleges and universities throughout the nation to participate in the National First-Generation College Celebration on Friday.

A first-generation student is defined as one who is the first person in the immediate family to attend college and earn a bachelor's degree. Led by the Council for Opportunity in Education (COE) and the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA) Center for First-Generation Student Success, the day is intended to celebrate the success and presence of first-generation college students, faculty and staff on campuses across the country.

Speaking at the event sponsored by CCC's Student Support Services department, college President Dr. Seth Carter shared his story of being a first-generation student. At the conclusion, 27 employees who were first-generation students took a group photo wearing T-shirts with the phrase, "I'm first gen."

November 8 was selected as the date for the annual celebration to honor the anniversary of when the Higher Education Act of 1965 was signed.