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He was the oldest of seven children in a single-parent family in Hawai‘i.

When Jeff Grundon ’80 came to ������Ƶ, he was surprised to find himself struggling academically.

“I wasn’t prepared for the changes I had to make in study habits, working and going to school, and navigating all of the different nuances,” he said.

“The professors would write on my paper, ‘Come see me.’ I was ashamed. I had this stand-up big afro. My English was awful. I could only speak Pigeon.”

He didn’t want to fail. He was the first in his family to go to college, and he didn’t want to return to Hawai‘i without a degree.

Finally, he sought help.

The professors, after all, were what had drawn him to Pacific: A friend who attended had written him letters all about having dinner with his professors and calling them at home.

“The professors really are here for you,” he said. “They care about you, and they are going to do anything they can to help you succeed.”

He did succeed. Grundon not only earned his degree from Pacific, he led others in the same direction.

“My baby brother and sister went to Pacific. My two oldest kids went to Pacific,” he said. “I work at Pacific. This is my passion.”

Today, Grundon is an undergraduate admissions counselor. He’s worked for Pacific for his entire career, starting as a football coach in 1980 and later recruiting future students.

He offers advice for other first-generation students — students who, like him, didn’t come to college with the inside knowledge and support others might have.

“Seek out help. Don’t be afraid to ask questions,” he said. “You can go as far as you want to go. Don’t let anything stand in your way.”