Published: May 02, 2008 04:09 pm            

First-generation college grad credits Rose State

First-generation college students often have a different experience than students whose parents attended a college.

Sometimes, they need a little help.

Such was the case for Lamar Williams, who will be the first Rose State College student to graduate with the help of the school’s Reconnection Leadership Development Scholarship Program.

The program is designed for students who were not necessarily on the college track in high school but are looking to continue their education, according to program director Terrance Grayson. The program helps 10 students a year pay for their education with scholarships and tuition waivers. Grayson also works one-on-one with students to help them develop the social skills they need to succeed.

Williams, 20, grew up in east Oklahoma City where first-class education was limited, he said. After attending public schools, he eventually turned to homeschooling.

But despite his limited resources, Williams has high ambitions — to become an engineer.

These ambitions came to a halt at another Oklahoma college, where Williams says he was told he couldn’t get into a good engineering program because of his race.

“That was very frustrating and demoralizing,” he said.

He decided that the college wasn’t the right fit for him and, after talking to Rose State College staff, transferred.

“People here actually care about you,” Williams said.

Grayson speaks highly of Williams, saying that many students with his background have given up on high aspirations.

“I really do respect Lamar for taking on a more challenging major,” he said.

Williams had to be coached a bit on the importance of networking and getting involved in the college community, Grayson said. The problem is a common one for first-generation students and also minority students, he said.

“They don’t always realize how important it is to get involved in activities on campus,” Grayson said.

Williams admits that in some ways he would rather play video games, especially Halo, than socialize. But over time, he’s grown, he said.

Classes are only a small part of “making you the whole individual you’re going to be.”

The Reconnection Program requires its participants to get involved in community service and to spend a certain amount of time studying each week. Unlike many scholarship programs, it requires a 2.25 GPA, which helps students who were not given as many educational opportunities prior to college.

Williams was not able to attend the Rose State graduation ceremony because of the number of things he has to accomplish for the next step in his education. The student is working on getting a scholarship to attend the University of Central Oklahoma. He is also enrolling in Oklahoma City Community College over the summer to get a few courses he needs out of the way.



Family support

Though Lamar Williams is a first-generation college graduate, he has received a lot of support from his family. For example, his grandmother, who recently passed away, helped raise him when his parents were having financial difficulties.

“She was really inspirational,” Williams said.

As for his mother, she is the force behind his enrollment, pushing him to make the necessary calls and getting the information the college needed for scholarships.

“My mom is probably the only reason I’m in school right now,” he said.



Faculty support

Lamar Williams spoke highly of a number of Rose State College faculty members and staff.

Williams said Dean Fisher, for example, helped him find scholarships and told him how to apply for them. Fisher, associate vice president of enrollment management, also advised him on what classes he should take.

Professors Jim Gilbert, John Wood and Robert Hoag were favorites of the RSC student.

“He’s (Gilbert) kind of a rock Einstein,” Williams said.

Meanwhile Lisa Kerr, director of student success and retention, and Terrance Grayson, director of the Reconnection program, always were both there for him, he said.

        

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