Chime In When Is a Cornell Sweatshirt Not Just a Cornell Sweatshirt? Stories You May Like Professor Studies Issues at the Intersection of Race, Poverty, and Public Policy Hotelie Aims to Bring Brown Butter to a Dairy Case Near You For Some Cornellians, It’s a Big Red ‘Biennale’ in Venice As a first-generation college student, a bargain-rack item of Big Red swag felt like a talisman of belonging By Anh LyJordan ’96 Last September, I returned to the Hill in my ongoing quest to start an alumni association for Cornellians who are first-generation college graduates. I was attending a Homecoming event to raise visibility and awareness of first-gen issues on campus, and to rally as many students and alumni as possible to our cause. While I was packing for the trip, I realized that the only Cornell clothing item I owned was an old, worn-out sweatshirt from my college days. I remembered the circumstances that led to buying that old sweatshirt. It transported me back to fall 1992, when I was a freshman walking around campus—feeling lost, out of place, and distinctly different than the rest of the confident students I saw. There were so many students who seemed like they knew what they were doing and acted as though they belonged there. In a computer lab as an undergrad. I did not feel that way, but I definitely didn’t want anyone to know that. I just wanted to blend into the sea of red on campus. Much like the term “first-generation” college student, the “imposter syndrome” that I was experiencing was not yet part of everyday vernacular. Though I didn’t know the term, I knew how I might shake that feeling. Though I didn’t know the term ‘imposter syndrome,’ I knew how I might shake that feeling. I went on a mission to the bookstore in search of an invisibility cloak: a Cornell sweatshirt. Stories You May Like Professor Studies Issues at the Intersection of Race, Poverty, and Public Policy Hotelie Aims to Bring Brown Butter to a Dairy Case Near You I quickly realized that every sweatshirt was way too expensive, so I made a beeline to the clearance rack. I found a sweatshirt that only cost $20! Capped and gowned. It wasn’t exactly my style, but it fulfilled two important criteria: it said “Cornell,” and it was affordable. I bought it. Nearly 30 years to the day from my arrival, I once again headed to the bookstore to get a new sweatshirt. This time, I picked out the one I liked best and bought it. I bought that full-priced sweatshirt without hesitancy, because I knew that I was paying for more than just an item of clothing. I was paying for a symbol of my new identity. It felt so fitting that upon my return to campus to help students who—just like me—were uncertain that they fit in or even belonged, I had this tangible reminder of both who I was and who I have become. This feeling is precisely what drives me to do the work I am doing on behalf of first-gen students. I want them to remember that how they are feeling in the moment does not have to define who they will become. I want to foster a community where they can feel like they belong—regardless of how much they pay for their sweatshirt. With a colleague at Homecoming ’22. ILR alum Anh LyJordan ’96 is an advocate, mediator, and recovering trial attorney working at the North Carolina Equal Access to Justice Commission. The founder of Accelerate the Climb and the Collaborative of First-Gen Low-Income Alumni Networks (COFLAN), she lives in Raleigh, NC, with her partner, two teenage sons, and Labrador retriever. Cornellians interested in joining the University’s first-generation alumni group can reach her via email. All images provided. Published December 19, 2022 Comments Dianne Dyson Coles, Class of 1969 28 Dec, 2022 Wow! In so many ways, that is exactly how I felt. As an African-American, I found it very difficult to assimilate into a culture that was so heavily socially centered around non- A-A Greek organizations. Only the small social circle that we had formed ourselves seemed to meet the need and desire for real, authentic peer interaction. I pushed myself to join the dance group because in that arena, I felt that I could participate on an equal level with other students and that was one of the very strongest ties that I had outside of the African-American community. Kudos to you, Anh! A great effort! Reply Jenifer Ong-Meyers, Class of 1986 26 Dec, 2023 Thoughtful, thought-provoking and sentimental article – thanks Anh, and thank you Cornellian, for reposting! I definitely identify – my parents had not gone to college, so I am first-generation too, and I was still shaky with speaking English, feeling most nervous and scared! Everything was expensive – I would not have gone to CU if ALS had not been a NY state-supported school. I don’t believe I bought a CU sweatshirt till after graduation – only T shirts and pants 🙂 I was lucky to have made some good and supportive friends at HR1, who were also on a budget, so that helped. Thank you for sharing. Happy New Year. Reply Louise Dawe, Class of 1975 7 Jan, 2024 I, too, was a first generation Cornell student. Sorry, but I did not feel out of place. I worked hard, met the admissions requirements, and was accepted. I am not a fan of DEI. Too many special groups catered to. I think you are missing the forest for the trees. This DEI does nothing better than segregate all the “special needs” students. All the special interest groups does not unify. A better idea would be a MENTOR program. Upper class men paired up with ALL incoming freshman. Leaving home and or attending university is an adjustment big and small for all in that stage of life. Louise Dawe 75 Reply Leave a Comment Cancel replyOnce your comment is approved, your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *Comment * Name * Class Year Email * Save my name, email, and class year in this browser for the next time I comment. Δ Other stories You may like Quizzes & Puzzles May / June ’23 Trivia Roundup Alumni Alum’s Nonprofit Combats the Mental Health Crisis in Rural U.S. Alumni Grad Alum Is a Yard Games Maven (and Cornhole King)