Published: May 03, 2008 11:24 pm         

Mom, daughter graduate from ISU

TERRE HAUTE — In a stream of 1,500 graduates receiving diplomas from Indiana State University, mother-daughter duo Amy and Penny Jackson demonstrated the diversity of modern higher education.

“I wanted to take psychology, too, so when Amy went, I went,” Penny, a 46-year-old registered nurse said of the endeavor.

Penny had earned her associate’s degree from ISU years ago when obtaining her RN license, so transferring the credits toward a bachelor’s only made sense to her and Amy, 25.

Penny, a McLean High School graduate, said she plans now to obtain her master’s degree online from Capella University and eventually counsel parents on child development.

“Until then, I’d like to be a writer or columnist,” she said, noting that her writing is aimed at parenting tips.

The two drove to graduation together in caps and gowns, then assembled with the rest of their class inside Tillman Hall from whence they marched across Seventh Street to Hulman Arena.

“Everybody told me they go to school to get away from their mom, but she’s my best friend,” Amy said outside the hall, posing for photographs.

“They’re all proud of us,” Penny, who earned a 3.5 grade-point average, noted of their friends and family members.

Brian Boyce can be reached at (812) 231-4253 or brian.boyce@tribstar.com.