For mom and daughter, family bond measured by degrees

August 2nd 6:50 pm | Amber Greenway Neher    

Maude Hopson's dream was always to walk with her daughter down the aisle.

The graduation aisle, that is.

This spring, Maude Hopson graduated from Ilisagvik College with her daughter, Lesley Hopson. Although this arrangement is not typical, both Maude and Lesley agree that the experience was a positive one and that they would recommend it to other families.

"My dream was to graduate with my daughter. It was a dream come true!" Maude said.

The happiness is not all Maude's, either. In addition to graduating together, Maude and Lesley also completed the same degree in Business Management and took several classes together. Lesley said that it was a strange situation at first, but in the end it proved to be an asset to her educational experience.

"We would giggle in class and just have a good time learning. I've personally got to know my mom in school better. I've learned that she is a very bright student, very hard working, and very dedicated, and it inspires me so much" Lesley said.

Lesley and Maude did not always plan to graduate together. In fact, Lesley enrolled before her mother did, and it was not until she took a semester off to support her son that Maude began taking classes as well.

Maude did not have any higher education background before she came to Ilisagvik, and ultimately it was Lesley who encouraged Maude to take classes by talking about how much fun it was to be in school.

"I've always wanted to go to college and with the persistence of my daughter Lesley, I enrolled in our tribal college," Maude said.

To some students it might seem that going to class with your parent would be awkward and could even make courses more difficult. On the contrary, Maude and Lesley whole-heartedly support taking classes with a family member because it strengthens bonds.

Lesley even said that her father was a part of the process because they would ask him for help on homework assignments and he would drop them off at class.

"Just do it! It can bring you closer together like it has brought my mother and I. It is such a wonderful experience, and you don't even have to leave the community to go to college, you can just go right here at the Ilisagvik College! It is so much fun!" Lesley said.

Lesley and Maude both report that their degrees at Ilisagvik College have helped them be more successful in their professional careers.

Lesley is an Administrative Assistant at Samuel Simmonds Memorial Hospital, and says that she loves her job. She knew that she would do well in it because of the knowledge she gained through her degree.

Maude is utilizing her new skills in her current job. When the time is right the pair plans to pursue their bachelor's degree together as well.

If you or someone you know is interested in college, contact Janelle Everett at 907.852.1799 or toll-free at 1.800.478.7337. Fall classes start soon, so sign up today!

Amber Greenway Neher wrote this article while working as the recruitment specialist for Ilisagvik College.

 

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