First-Generation Student Spotlight: Christopher Gerton

Chris Gerton Bowen School of Law First-Generation 2021
Chris Gerton Bowen School of Law First-Generation 2021
In honor of First-Generation College Student Celebration Month, UA Little Rock is profiling some of its outstanding first-generation students. Chris Gerton, a first-generation student from Lexington, Kentucky, is currently pursuing his Juris Doctor (JD) degree at the William H. Bowen School of Law. What does it mean to you to be a first-generation student? Being a first-generation student means everything to me; I feel extremely blessed. How did your family react when you told them you had been accepted into the program? When my family found out I was accepted into Bowen, they were so excited for me. What has been the most rewarding aspect of college so far? Thus far, I have found a few rewarding aspects of law school. To date, it has been a pleasure meeting everyone that I have met so far, whether in the same class or in a Zoom discussion. I love to learn, so all the information that I have absorbed this semester has been very exhilarating. What made you choose the Bowen School of Law? Bowen was a perfect fit for me. Being a part time student here affords me the opportunity to gain an education, while working full time and maintaining a family. What do you plan to do after graduation? I have not yet determined what field of law I will practice after graduation. However, criminal law has piqued my interest. Do you have any advice for future first-generation students? If there was any advice that I could give to future first-generation students, it would be to try not to stress so much. Trust me, I know your anxiety will be high, but just trust the process.