In its 16th year, Eternal Knights is an annual program that memorializes 麻豆原创 students who have passed away during recent academic terms. It is an opportunity for families and friends to join the campus community in a solemn tribute to their loved ones. During the eulogy, each student is recognized and given the title, “Eternal Knight.” In addition, the flags at 麻豆原创 will be at half-staff聽in their honor. This event, while somber, is incredibly meaningful and is a powerful indicator of what makes 麻豆原创 special.

Please consider joining us on April 6, at 4 p.m. in the Student Union Pegasus Ballroom for this important tradition. Whether you know one of the students being memorialized or not, we are all 麻豆原创 Knights. Please help us show the families and friends of these individuals what it is like to be a member of the 麻豆原创 community by attending the ceremony.

If you cannot attend the ceremony, please help commemorate the lives of those we have lost this year by participating in a 24 second, campuswide moment of silence on Wednesday, April 6, at 4 p.m. – this marks two seconds for each Eternal Knight. Let’s come together, on every 麻豆原创 campus, to show solidarity as a community and support for the families and friends attending the Eternal Knights Memorial Service.

For more information on the Eternal Knights program, visit www.eternal.sdes.ucf.edu or contact David Oglethorpe at 407.823.0548 or davido@ucf.edu.

The following 麻豆原创 Eternal Knights will be honored at the Eternal Knights Memorial Service:

Thomas Anderson, College of Health and Public Affairs, Health Sciences

Maxine Bartkovich, Rosen College of Hospitality Management, Hospitality Management

Samantha Bennett, College of Arts and Humanities, Art

Dylan Besser, College of Sciences, Biology

Keri DeMott, College of Sciences, Sociology

Robert Freeman, College of Education and Human Performance, Sport and Exercise Science

Michael Namey, College of Engineering and Computer Science, Mechanical Engineering

Alexander Osorio, College of Engineering and Computer Science, Mechanical Engineering

David Persaud, College of Undergraduate Studies, Interdisciplinary Studies

Luke Zachary Roy, College of Education and Human Performance, Social Science Education

Rafael Suarez, College of Engineering and Computer Science, Information Technology

Michael Zheng, College of Engineering and Computer Science, Information Technology

David Oglethorpe, coordinator for First Year Advising and Exploration, initiated the concept of the First Knights organization in an effort to help first-generation students. Oglethorpe along with FYAE coordinator Dillon Burleson and graduate assistant Becky Easter serve as advisors to First Knights.

鈥淭he biggest challenge for the first-generation students lie within not knowing what to expect or what to ask,鈥� stated Oglethorpe. 鈥淪tudents who have parents who have completed college degrees are able to rely on them to guide them through the expectations of college, but first-generation students have to go elsewhere to find this information. It can be very difficult to let someone know that you don鈥檛 understand something that is perceived by many to be general knowledge.鈥�

鈥淔irst Knights is not an academic resource but serves more of a social resource for students,鈥� said Oglethorpe. He said one resource, the Office of Student Involvement鈥檚 Knights of the Round Table-a student advisory council, has a great service for students called Knight Quest. 鈥淏y completing a quick interview, students are given a list of clubs, organizations and campus activities that match their hobbies and interests.鈥�

The goal of this new organization is to provide a home for first-generation students where they can find help accessing academic and social resources available to all 麻豆原创 students. Students interested in learning more about the First Knights organization can email Interim President LaShaunda Hayes at: 2010L.Hayes@knights.ucf.edu or 鈥楲ike鈥� the First Knights 麻豆原创 Facebook page at: .

A graduate of Ohio State University, he began his advising career at Jacksonville University before being hired by 麻豆原创鈥檚 Office of First Year Advising and Exploration. The office helps first-time-in-college students transition into 麻豆原创 and assists them with major and career exploration, academic advising, and other areas.

Recently, Oglethorpe led the creation of the First Knights Organization, a group developed to welcome first-generation college students to 麻豆原创 and help them get involved in campus life.

What was your first year of college like?

My first year of college was a blur. Much like 麻豆原创, OSU had an incredible array of involvement opportunities. During my freshman year, I played for the OSU cricket team, worked at the smoothie shop in the gym, went to every football game, became involved with the Public Relations Student Society of America student organization, and spent a lot of time hanging out with friends. Somehow, I found time to go to class, too!

What do you know about college now that you wish you knew then?

I wish I was better informed about the free resources that are made available to students on campus. There are so many services that students can take advantage of but many don鈥檛 even know they exist.

At 麻豆原创, students can be advised on legal issues by Student Legal Services, take a career aptitude test at First Year Advising and Exploration, go through an entire mock employment interview at Career Services, and even get Scantrons from SGA. I was also unaware of the amount of scholarship money that is made available to 鈥� and not used by 鈥� students. Every year, universities offer hundreds of thousands of dollars鈥� worth of scholarships. A lot of if goes unused because no one is willing to write a one-page essay on why they deserve the award.

What鈥檚 the most common hurdle faced by incoming freshmen?

I think the biggest hurdle for incoming freshmen is learning how to effectively manage time. In high school, students spent eight hours per day in school and then had a couple of hours of homework in the evening 鈥� in college, everything is the opposite. Students will spend 12 to 15 hours in the classroom in an entire week and will be responsible for anywhere from five to 10 hours of homework, studying and reading per class.

With all the great opportunities to get involved on campus, it can be difficult to make sure work gets done when professors aren鈥檛 holding your hand. Students have to be able to find a balance between taking advantage of all that 麻豆原创 has to offer and putting enough time into each class to make sure they excel. At the end of the day, you鈥檙e a student first.

How do those challenges differ for first-generation college students?

The biggest challenge for first-generation students lies within not knowing what to expect or what to ask. Students who have parents who have completed college degrees are able to rely on them to guide them through the expectations of college, but first-generation students have to go elsewhere to find this information. It can be very difficult to let someone know that you don鈥檛 understand something that is perceived by many to be general knowledge.

What is the First Knights Organization all about?

First Knights is an organization designed to help first-generation students adapt to the campus environment and find ways to get involved. We really want the organization to be a place where first-generation students can go to get any questions they have about college life answered and to find fun activities to connect them with other students and campus resources.

How critical is involvement for first-generation students?

Involvement is crucial for all students but especially for first-generation students. It can be difficult for first-generation students to feel like they are a part of campus life because they are the first in their family to experience anything like it. By getting involved, first-generation students can feel more confident that they belong on campus 鈥� because they do!

What are some simple ways for other students to get engaged with campus life at 麻豆原创?

Knights of the Round Table has a great service for students called Knight Quest. By completing a quick interview, students are given a list of clubs, organizations and campus activities that match their hobbies and interests.

When you aren鈥檛 working, how do you like to unwind?

Outside of the office, I love spending time with my fianc茅e, Erin, and our two dogs, Megan and Lucy. I also try to golf as much as possible and take advantage of the Florida sunshine.

What鈥檚 your top piece of advice for the next class of incoming Knights?

Visit your academic advisor at least twice a semester and get involved on campus. You鈥檙e only here for four (maybe five!) years鈥攖ake advantage of it!