Cynthia Larive
My backstory
I grew up in the legendary frontier town of Deadwood, South Dakota. My father was a foundry worker in the local gold mine, while my mother worked as a secretary. My dad left school after the third grade and my mom finished high school but longed for the opportunity to attend college. We all worked very hard to keep our family going on our small subsistence farm, and I was excited to get my first paying job at age 14.
What motivated me to go to college
My parents never went to college, but they understood the value of education and saw college as the pathway to a better life for me. They noticed my early interest in science and encouraged me. Their support, and a chance encounter with a working scientist when I was in high school, truly changed the trajectory of my life.
What I would tell my freshman self
Don’t doubt yourself, work hard and ask for help when you need it. You may end up in a career that you can’t even imagine so pursue the subjects that you are interested in, but also be open to opportunities to learn and experience new things to broaden your knowledge and your interests.
How my background helped me
Hard work was a constant among everyone in my family growing up, and that’s been a huge help throughout my career. My own journey has also taught me the value of opportunity, knowing that universities are places of transformation, especially for first-generation students like myself. Given opportunity and support, people can accomplish incredible things.
The best thing about my college experience
Chemistry drew me to college, and I was thrilled to pursue my interest in science, but college also provided me with a wider perspective on the world. I met all sorts of fascinating people with backgrounds very different from my own and with careers that I never knew existed. That opened my eyes to the vast opportunities that exist and to the ability of higher education to help people create their own bright futures.
Gene Block
My backstory
I grew up in mid-state New York in what was called the “Borscht belt” — a collection of resort towns that catered to tourists coming up from New York City in the summer. My father owned a dairy distribution business that sold dairy products to the region’s summer camps and resort hotels. From the time I was young I worked for the dairy, both in the store (my first job was “candling” eggs) and later on driving the delivery truck.
What motivated me to go to college
I was a bit of an immature student and uninterested in much of school…but I did love science and science fairs, and I wanted to see if I could turn that passion into a career. My older brother was out in California, and mentioned to me that there was an opportunity to attend a community college and, if one did well, transfer to an excellent California university. So I came out to the Bay Area, went to Foothill College and ultimately transferred to Stanford.
What I would tell my freshman self
I would tell myself that it’s ok to change course in life if the path you are on is not quite right. I have had numerous transitions in my career – changing majors in college, changing disciplines in graduate school and changing from a professor to an administrator in my later career. I was always apprehensive about those transitions but these types of “resets” helped me find the things that mattered to me.
How my background helped me
I think there is an advantage of not feeling that you are simply trying to achieve what your parents had already achieved. It is a feeling of a family breaking new ground and I think that is empowering. Certainly, one has less help along the way but I think the journey can be a more rewarding one.
The best thing about my college experience
My favorite experience was the opportunity to work in a research laboratory as an undergraduate. I was particularly intrigued with early theories about how memory was stored in the brain and conducted independent research testing some of these theories.
“Don’t be so hard on yourself — setbacks are inevitable but you’ll survive.”
Howard Gillman
My backstory
I grew up as an only child in North Hollywood/Sun Valley with parents who worked hard through tough times. I started working my first real job with a boss and a paycheck when I was 15.
What motivated me to go to college
Education was deeply valued in our home. While my parents never went to college it was always understood that they were working to give me that opportunity — and by the time I applied I was excited to have a chance to learn (B.A., M.A., Ph.D., Political Science, UCLA).
What I would tell my freshman self
Don't be so hard on yourself — setbacks are inevitable but you'll survive. It goes by so fast so appreciate it while it's happening.
How my background helped me
A strong work ethic and the experience of persisting through tough times have been more helpful to me than any other qualities.
The best thing about my college experience
The friendships, and finding my place within this world of inquiry and discovery.
“That sense that there is a limitless universe of knowledge to be learned has remained with me my entire life.”
Kim A. Wilcox
My backstory
I grew up in a small town in Michigan, and as early as I can remember, going to college was always assumed. My parents’ deep appreciation of a college education came from two very different experiences. My mother was valedictorian of her high school but wasn’t able to afford college after graduation. My father dropped out of school in the sixth grade, but realizing the importance of further education, went back and got his high school diploma many years later.
What motivated me to go to college
My parents’ lack of opportunity served as great motivators for pursuing as much education as possible.
What I would tell my freshman self
You’re not the only one feeling uncertain and self-conscious. Regardless of their background, nearly everyone else, even those who seem much more sophisticated and self-confident, are also feeling insecure and are wondering how best to fit in.
How my background helped me
It prepared me to work hard for my education both in the classroom and in a host of jobs. I worked year-round all the time I was in school. Since my parents hadn’t had the opportunity to attend college, each achievement along the way was a reason to celebrate: from gaining admission, to graduation, to going on to master’s and doctoral programs. What was the expected educational route for some of my friends was instead an important event for me and my family. That sense of accomplishment helped to support my ambitions.
The best thing about my college experience
Beyond the friends and mentors I gained, it was acquiring even a simple appreciation for the size of the world. Going to college exposed me to a world of learning that I never would’ve experienced had I stayed in in my hometown. I recall walking on the campus of Michigan State University as a freshman and being amazed that there was not only an entire building dedicated to chemistry, but an entirely different building dedicated to biochemistry! That sense that there is a limitless universe of knowledge to be learned has remained with me my entire life.