Students enjoyed a festive Italian dinner catered by Sbarro鈥檚 as well as entertainment by the Crescendudes, who performed cappella style. Maribeth Ehasz, vice president Student Development and Enrollment Services, welcomed students and congratulated them on their success. Pedro Patino, associate chair Chemistry Department, served as the keynote speaker for the program. Voted by first-year students as the faculty member most influential in their success for fall 2013, Patino took this opportunity to address these students and offer inspiration for the road ahead. He avowed, “My teaching philosophy is鈥ransmitting knowledge to others.” He finished his presentation with an edict to his students via a proverb: “The only place where success is before work is in the dictionary.”

Elizabeth Santiago, a first year Psychology major from Cape Coral, served as the representative of the 1,824 first year scholars and offered a “student reflection” during the program. She entered 麻豆原创 as a student through the SOAR [Seizing Opportunities for Achievement and Retention] Program in summer 2013. Through this program, Santiago received encouragement and mentoring which ultimately resulted in her being honored as a First Year Scholar by the end of fall 2013. She continues to blossom at 麻豆原创 and utilizes each opportunity to reach her goal of becoming a practicing attorney specializing in family law. During her speech, she detailed the process of decision making and outlined the journey ahead for first year scholars. She spoke the following words to inspire her fellow honorees: “Use this accomplishment as the stepping stone for your next achievement.”

Demings said, “This message is consistently echoed in the actions of academic advisors within First Year Advising and Exploration and we strive to give each student confidence to fulfill their purpose academically, socially, and professionally. It is a charge to ignite all of our students regardless of GPA to move forward in each of their endeavors with the expectation of success.”

Santiago ended with encouraging words, “Dream on, study on, and charge on.”

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: .