The Patricia Okker Scholarship for First-Gen Students is a $1000 award given to up to two first-generation college students in the College of Arts & Science each year. This year, the awardees included Primula Stonebreaker, a senior Digital Storytelling major. 

“Being a first-generation student means that I get to pave the way for my three little brothers,” said Stonebraker in her scholarship essay. 

Stonebraker’s brothers regularly visit her at Mizzou and are on the path to follow in their big sister’s footsteps. 

“I have been able to show my brothers that it is possible, and they are already picking out colleges,” says Stonebraker. “One of my brothers is starting his first semester at Mizzou in January. Even my youngest brother, who is 10, is planning on being an engineer and going to Mizzou.” 

The scholarship is named after Patricia Okker, former dean of the College of Arts and Science and first-generation student. In addition to the award’s namesake, each of the selection committee’s members were also first-generation college students.