The Mount Holyoke College Fearless First Cording Ceremony is a recognition ceremony honoring college students who self-identify as first-generation and/or low-income graduating seniors.

Sponsored by the First Gen Network, the Office of Community and Belonging, Division of Student Life, and FLIP (First Generation Low-Income Partnership), this year's ceremony will be held on Saturday, 3-5 pm in Blanchard Campus Center Great Room.

During the celebration, we will honor graduating seniors through student, faculty/ staff reflections, refreshments, and a gift (an honor cord) for all seniors who register.

Attire is semi-formal.

What is a first-generation college student?

At Mount Holyoke College, first-generation is defined as a student in which neither parent has earned a four-year degree. However, the College recognizes that the definition of first-generation is fluid and embodies a diverse group of individuals who hold multiple identities. First-generation students can be self-defining domestic or international students who:

• are the first to attend a four-year university and attain a college degree
• did or do not have parents, guardians, or family systems to assist them in navigating the college process.
• have current parents or family systems who did not attend a traditional four year institution and attain a college degree

First-generation college students can include domestic and international students; students from any income status (low, middle and/ or upper), or international students in which one or both parents did not attend college in the U.S.

If you are a first-generation and/or low-income graduating senior and would like to participate in the ceremony please submit this form no later than Friday, March 27, 2026 at 11:59 pm US EST.

Fearless First Cording Ceremony Participation Form

Event access:

• Location, paths of travel to the location, entry
  • Blanchard Campus Center Great Room. Enter the front doors of the Great Room from the ground floor of Blanchard, pass the dining commons or Front Door of Blanchard Campus Center from Skinner Green, walk down the stairs or take the elevator to the lower level.
• Bathrooms closest to space:
  • Bathrooms are located outside of the Great Room in Blanchard Campus Center. Two restrooms are located in the Great Room on the far side near the Pub Cochary. Gender neutral restrooms are located when exiting the Great Room on the right past the elevators.
• seated/standing/moving
  • People will be able to enter the room and sit down in chairs which will be provided auditorium style seating. There will be moving for graduating seniors who are able to come and receive their cords.
• lecture/participatory
  • It will include student, faculty, and staff speakers in addition to the names of graduating seniors being called.
• Food
  • buffet style refreshments/ heavy appetizers and cake. There will be vegan/ vegetarian, and non dairy options available
• Student only?
  • This event is for students, faculty, staff, parents, and alum