We’ve heard the family that prays together stays together, but for the McGill family, the same applies to a family that graduates together.
Father, Pat, his son Ryan and his daughter Regan are walking across the stage as college graduates of Eastern Michigan University on the same day. It’s an academic milestone they’re proud to share as a family.
“We’ve always been pretty close as a family, so doing something like this, it’s… I mean there’s not many people that can say they walked with their sibling and their parent,” Ryan McGill told Fox Detroit.
Pat has worked at EMU for two decades as a police officer within public safety. He has taken classes for years and will be graduating with his degree in construction management.
"He's accomplished so much," Regan told Fox referring to her father. "Seeing him over the years, it's so amazing to see him grow as a person, and this has just been a fun journey with both of them."
The trio has shared professors, classrooms and a relentless commitment to finish what they started. When their names are called and the celebration begins, the emotions are sure to be running high.
“It will be a crying moment for sure,” said Pat.
Ryan is graduating with a degree in exercise science while Regan’s degree is in psychology and women’s and gender studies.
No matter the direction they choose to head in beyond the campus of Eastern Michigan University, one thing is for sure, they’ll have each other’s support along the way.
Photo credit: Fox Detroit screenshot