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Emotional joint graduation takes mother and son by surprise

A mother and son have gone viral after a US university allowed them to graduate together so neither would have to miss their ceremonies.

Sharonda and Stephan Wilson embrace as Central Michigan University surprises them with a double graduation.
Sharonda and Stephan Wilson embrace as Central Michigan University surprises them with a double graduation. Source: Central Michigan Unviersity

A US mother who skipped her own university graduation ceremony so she could attend her son's was stunned when they got to graduate together. 

Sharonda Wilson was due to graduate from Ferris State University the same day her son Stephan was set to graduate one hour away at Central Michigan University.

However, after her son received his fine arts degree in musical theatre, he surprisingly placed a graduation cap on his mother's head.

Sharonda and Stephan Wilson embrace as Central Michigan University surprises them with a double graduation.
Sharonda and Stephan Wilson embrace as Central Michigan University surprises them with a double graduation. Source: Central Michigan Unviersity

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"I made a call today when I found this out to David Eisler, the president of Ferris State University, so please pay attention," Central Michigan University president Bob Davies said to Ms Wilson.

"By virtue of the authority vested in me by the state of Michigan and the board of trustees, on behalf of David Eisler and the Ferris State trustees, I confer upon you, Sharonda Wilson, the bachelors degree you have earned with all rights and privileges pertaining thereto. 

"Please move your tassel from your right to your left." 

Her son and the rest of the packed auditorium cheered Ms Wilson on as she received her own degree, and the moment has now been viewed more than 885,000 times on Twitter.

Mr Wilson later told the Detroit Free Press that it was one of the best moments of his life.

"Dr Davies really shocked me - I told a friend of mine that mum was skipping her graduation to be with me, and she used her magic to help Dr Davies orchestrate that moment," Mr Wilson said.

"My mother is truly the strongest and most compassionate woman I know.

"That moment tops any other moment I have ever shared with my mother."


2 min read

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