Three members of the Frazier family will walk across the stage at Harding’s December commencement ceremony.
Bryan and April Frazier are the parents of Lydia Frazier, and all three will receive master’s degrees. Bryan and April will receive education specialist degrees in clinical mental health, and Lydia will receive a master of arts in teaching.
The Fraziers did not necessarily plan to graduate together, but Bryan and April decided to begin the same master’s program at the same time.
“My wife and I decided to do the counseling program together, so the two of us have been taking most of our classes together,” Bryan said. “We didn’t know that our daughter would be doing the master’s program in education at the same time, and it’s just so cool.”
Bryan predicted they will all be emotional and share a one of a kind experience as a family when they cross Harding’s stage next Saturday.
Lydia received a bachelor of science degree in psychology and a minor in English from Harding in 2017, and is even more thrilled for this graduation because her family will be right by her side.
“I am really excited that we will all get to walk together,” Lydia said. “Graduation is an incredibly special event, and I think that it will be made even more special because we all get to experience it together.”
Lydia experienced college with her parents, and she said she is thankful for this time.
April had mixed feelings about going back to college, but she said having Bryan beside her in the classroom and at home, in addition to the rest of her family cheering her on, made the whole experience worth it.
“It was scary for me to go back to college as an adult, and it was difficult at times to balance all my responsibilities, but I have an awesome support system at home, and that helped me through the tough times,” April said.
Close family friend Melani Blansett said the Fraziers are a tightly knit family, and them graduating together makes all the sense in the world to her.
“Graduating together perfectly reflects the Frazier family dynamic,” Blansett said. “They are a family who cares intensely about each other, encourages and supports each other.”