Owen Griswold '27
Owen Griswold, a sophomore at Albertus Magnus College, is proud to be the first in his family to attend college. Inspired by his mother’s dedication to providing a better life despite not finishing high school, Owen embraced hard work and determination throughout high school and beyond. Drawn to Albertus for its authentic and caring community, he found a deep sense of belonging and rediscovered the importance of his faith, symbolized by a meaningful necklace. Once reserved in high school, Owen has grown into a more confident and involved individual, embracing challenges and opportunities to shape his future.
“What made Albertus stand out was everyone I interacted with, from the admission counselors to the professors. [They] were authentic and actually seemed to care about me.”
Spencer McBreairty
Spencer McBreairty, Associate Director of Residential Life and Community Standards, is proud to be the first in his family to attend college. Growing up in a small town, Spencer dreamed of exploring the world and gaining new experiences, a vision his parents wholeheartedly supported despite not having attended college themselves. After earning both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Southern Maine, Spencer dedicated his career to creating a positive, inclusive, and supportive campus environment. As a first-generation college graduate, he finds it deeply rewarding to work with students who share this background, helping them overcome challenges and thrive in their college journey.
“When I get to work with first-generation students today, it feels as though it is coming full circle.”
Josh Cooper '27
Josh Cooper is proud to be the first in his family to attend college, breaking new ground with determination and resilience. Growing up, his parents paused their education to care for his brother, who was born with Down Syndrome, inspiring Josh to overcome his own challenges in special education. Motivated to prove his potential, he worked hard to transition out of special education and pursue higher education. At Albertus Magnus College, Josh found a supportive and close-knit community that helped him realize he didn’t need the extensive support he once relied on—just people who genuinely cared and encouraged him to excel.
“I just needed to find people that actually cared about me in order to push me into the right direction so I could excel even more.”
