Marquette University celebrates 1st-generation students

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Marquette University celebrated its first-generation students Thursday, Nov. 7.

There were a series of events, including a first-generation graduate student breakfast.

University officials say first-generation students are part of the overall diversity at Marquette, and while that's reflected in the undergraduate and faculty populations, they say it's not as much in the graduate student population.

"And one of the things is when you come in as a first generation student, you may not be thinking about grad school, you might not even know it's an option, so we wanted to demystify grad school," said Lisa Lamson, Graduate Students Organization president.

The events are in honor of the National First-Generation College Celebration which is Friday, Nov. 8.

It recognizes the signing of the Higher Education Act of 1965 by President Lyndon B. Johnson.