A mother and son from Maryland, United States accomplished a remarkable feat by earning their Bachelor’s degrees from the University of Maryland simultaneously.
Carolyn and Immanuel Patton, who both earned their Bachelor’s degrees from the University of Maryland at the same time, fulfilled a promise they made when Immanuel was just 5 years old.
Immanuel Patton, who is 23 years old, recalled to GMA that he had promised his mother, Carolyn Patton, when he was just 5 years old, that they would both earn their degrees at the same time.
Carolyn Patton explained that she had started pursuing a Bachelor’s degree back in 1995 but had to give up on it due to life circumstances. She had already earned some associate’s degrees by that time.
Carolyn Patton, who is now 63 years old, explained that her son Immanuel’s promise to graduate with her inspired her to re-enroll in college. She had given up on pursuing her Bachelor’s degree after attempting and failing in 1995. According to Carolyn, “That promise…he never allowed it to die. It was continuously, ‘You know, mom, we’re gonna do this.’”
Both Carolyn and Immanuel Patton graduated from the University of Maryland Global Campus, which offers online degree programs that they were drawn to.
Despite facing challenges, Carolyn and Immanuel Patton persisted in their studies, supporting each other along the way until they both graduated from the University of Maryland Global Campus in April 2024. Throughout their journey, Immanuel encouraged his mother to keep going, saying “Ma, you’ve got to keep it going. I know you want to stop. We got to keep going.”
Immanuel Patton shared that the main challenge they faced was trying to get everything in order and staying on top of their studies, as well as supporting each other. “The main thing was just trying to get everything lined up and stay on top of her as well stay on top of myself,” he said.
Immanuel echoed the sentiment, saying, “I’m definitely proud of her for just being a strong woman and just pushing through.”
Great! The final statement would be: Carolyn Patton received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Humanities, while Immanuel Patton received his Bachelor of Science degree in Public Safety Administration.
The President of the University of Maryland Global Campus, Gregory Fowler, praised the Pattons for their remarkable achievements, describing them as exemplary. “We are inspired by Immanuel’s commitment to support his mother, and for him to make that pledge at such a young age is truly remarkable. That we have helped him fulfill his childhood promise to Carolyn makes us all extremely proud,” Fowler said.