stephen rush
Share Your Story
Perhaps the weirdest part of my story is me on the front lawn of our yard, SNEAKING the worn-out Olivetti-Underwood typewriter out of the house to type in my application (to Michigan State- which was where I thought I might get in). I had completed a year of Junior College and was commuting to Lansing (from Grand Rapids, MI) for weekly lessons with an old guy who thought I was worth his time (Joseph Evans). Back to the word SNEAKING. My parents had no idea i was applying to a 4-year-college – a first for my family. They were staunchly against the idea of me going “away” to college – skeptical of the religious or philosophical or scientific corruption contained in the public university. So I acted autonomously and bravely – and went for it. I got a “double-full ride” (piano and trombone – even though I was a composition major!?!). About one month after I was accepted my father died (heart disease and sort of expected). He never knew what I was up to. (the good and bad combined!). There is more to this story if you want to hear it over coffee or tea – but this is enough for this space.
Your advice for other First-Gen students
“Hang in there” sounds so trite – but it’s not that bad as advice goes. Realize that life is hard – maybe harder for you because you are blazing new trails – really – for your family. But also know that it’s okay to be proud of your accomplishments – just to GET IN to U-M is not nothin’! Also…”To Thine Ownself Be True” (Macbeth) is the heart of things here. Know that you are breaking a kind of “rule” or “Structure” for your family – and that’s ok. There are other rules you are probably breaking to change your family narrative – and that will feel weird or awkward. Know too, that you are very likely feeling undeserving of being in college, or that you are an imposter. Identify it and stare it down. That “feeling” is not true. We (faculty and staff) work hard at admissions – we don’t take people that we don’t want to teach or that don’t “deserve” to be here. So take that – bask in that truth – and know you are deserving, valued, and yes, even loved for who you are.