Gwendelen Dugas and daughter Whitney Duhon have shared a close bond. And that bond deepened Saturday as the mother-daughter
duo graduated together from McNeese State University — Dugas with a sociology degree and Duhon with a psychology degree.
For Dugas, this was a goal she has spent three decades trying to achieve.
“It feels great; it has been a long, hard process. But now, you know, it’s done and feels wonderful,” Dugas said. “My daughter
is an inspiration for me because she’s a strong girl, and she’s motivated. It’s exciting, graduating together.”
Dugas’ journey began in 1982 when she
graduated high school and enrolled at Northwestern State University. She
stopped her
courses after two years because bills needed to be paid and she
decided it would be best to work full time. Over the years,
she occasionally took classes, married and had three children.
In 2008, her son Donovan died. She said she realized life was short and that if she wanted to get a degree, this would be
the time to do so. Her mother-in-law at the time affirmed her decision by letting her know how important it was to have an
education and to not give up.
“She said, ‘Donovan would be so proud of you if you went back to school,’ ” Dugas said. “That’s when I said, ‘I’m going to
do it now.’ I needed something to grab on to, and I just stuck with it and completed my degree.”
Duhon, 21, who graduated in 3 1/2
years, said she and her mother didn’t plan to graduate at the same time.
When she transferred
to McNeese from Northwestern State University in her sophomore
year, her mother had already been taking classes at McNeese.
Though they didn’t take any courses together, mother and daughter confided in each other when university life became frustrating
and helped each other whether it was parking issues or math classes.
“As McNeese approaches its 75th anniversary we see more and more multigenerational McNeese families,” said Alumni Affairs
Director Joyce Patterson. “They share common experiences and the pride of accomplishment, which strengthens their ties to
one another and to McNeese.”
The women received their diplomas
alongside more than 700 other students at the fall commencement
ceremony. Duhon said she
is proud of her mother, and Dugas is equally proud of her daughter
for not only graduating early but for graduating with honors.
“It’s a bonus, graduating with my mom,” Duhon said. “It doesn’t matter how long it takes. I know it’s kind of a cliche, but
never say never. If you’re determined, you’ll do it.”
Duhon has always wanted to counsel people and plans to earn a master’s in clinical psychology at the University of Houston.
Her grandmother has a doctorate in psychology — which was part of the reason for her interest in becoming a therapist.
Dugas, who works at the Calcasieu
Parish Sheriff’s Office, hopes that in the future she can use her degree
to help the community.
For now, though, she is simply happy that she accomplished what
she set out to do.