Theresa Lyles, 68, and her 22-year-old granddaughter Zuri Lyles completed an incredible journey together as they both walked across the stage at their Tennessee State University (TSU) graduation on Saturday, May 5. They may be the first grandmother and granddaughter to graduate at the same time in the university’s more than 100-year history.
According to the Tennesse State University Newsroom, Theresa received a degree in sociology, while Zuri earned a bachelor’s degree in health information management and a minor in business.
Theresa’s journey at the historically black TSU began over 50 years ago when she enrolled at the institution in 1967. She dropped out in 1970 to raise her family. When she decided to return to school over a year ago, she had no idea those credits from back in the day would work to her advantage.
Amid learning from her advisors that she would be set to graduate soon, tragedy hit her and Zuri. Zuri’s mother, Theresa’s middle daughter, passed away on January 6.
“That hit us so hard that I almost dropped out because I was struggling, and my grandmother went through a depression,” said Zuri. “But we kept encouraging each other. Through it all, we started working harder and did everything we needed to get the job done.”
Zuri already has a job offer with St. Thomas General as an information systems analyst. She also plans to attend graduate school and get a degree in physical therapy. While Theresa says that she will continue to help with raising her grandchildren, she is glad to finally have her degree.
For full article, select Source link…
