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PROVO — A mother and son graduated together today from Brigham Young University, walking across the stage at the same time to get their diplomas.
40 years ago, Vicki Woodfield had to drop out of BYU for her husband’s career opportunities. She took college courses on and off over the years while raising six children alone. She decided to pursue BYU’s Bachelor of General Studies when she saw an ad for the program that said, “Finish what you started.”
“It was worth it but it was not easy,” Woodfield said. “Life just keeps happening.”
Woodfield said she was helped greatly by a scholarship given to single moms. She did her coursework online from her home in Silicon Valley, California.
Meanwhile, in Texas, Woodfield's son, Daniel Naseath, was also finishing his degree remotely.
“It’s been nice because I’ve been able to get the ball rolling on the business I started, and finish my degree at the same time,” Naseath said.
They realized they would finish at the same time and could come to Utah and walk together at graduation in Provo.
“I didn’t think it would ever happen,” Woodfield said. “It’s a dream come true.”
All the rest of the siblings and Woodfield’s mother planned to attend the Marriott School convocation. Woodfield's daughter, Stephanie Probst, called it a triumphant moment for their family, adding how proud they were of their mom and the example she set for her children of the importance of higher education.
Naseath said although he is excited to be graduating today, it is really his mom’s big day.
“We’ve all graduated from college. All her boys went on missions, all her boys are Eagle Scouts, and really this is her final accomplishment,” Naseath said. “It’s her day, it’s her accomplishment.”