The First Scholars Office is proud to announce the creation of the Regalia Legacy Award, a new honor for undergraduate and Ph.D. students who are the first in their families to pursue a degree. This award was inspired by the legacy of Dr. Brodersen Cochran, a distinguished Iowa State University alum whose life was marked by service, academic leadership, and a deep commitment to uplifting others in higher education. In tribute to her memory, her Ph.D. regalia was generously donated to the First Scholars Office, inspiring this annual recognition.
Award Purpose
The Regalia Legacy Award aims to remove financial barriers for first-generation undergraduate and Ph.D. students by providing full graduation regalia, ensuring every scholar can participate fully in commencement and celebrate their achievements with pride.
Who Can Be Nominated?
Undergraduate students will be nominated by Center for Student Educational Success staff based on their participation and involvement with the First Scholars Office programs.
PhD students who self-identify as first-generation are eligible for nomination. The selection process will consider alignment with the values and qualities exemplified by Dr. Brodersen Cochran, including:
· Approaching their education in a multidisciplinary way; a "Renaissance person"
· Supporting other students (e.g. teaches or mentors undergraduates; supports their cohort in notable way)
How to Apply
Application process includes two contributions:
· To nominate a student, major professors or supervisors may complete the following form which includes background information of the student and a letter highlighting the student’s alignment with the award’s values.
· Nominated students must submit a personal statement confirming their status as a first-generation student for their nomination to be considered complete.
Selection and Recognition
A committee of campus partners will review Ph.D. nominations and select one recipient each year. The awardee will be honored at a special ceremony, receiving the regalia as a lasting symbol of achievement and connection to the First Scholars community. Their story will be shared to inspire future scholars and donors, building a legacy of support and celebration for first-generation students at Iowa State University.
Looking Ahead
With additional philanthropic support, the First Scholars Office hopes to expand the Regalia Legacy Award to include first-generation graduates earning master’s, Ed.D., and Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degrees. These advanced degree milestones represent extraordinary perseverance and academic excellence, yet financial barriers to participation in commencement often remain. By broadening this award, we can ensure that first-generation scholars across more disciplines and degree pathways are fully celebrated at one of the most meaningful moments of their academic journey. Expanded funding will allow us to grow this legacy of recognition, honoring not only achievement, but the courage it takes to be the first.
