Today is Virtual Graduation Day at Texas Tech University. But I’ll tell you that the work leading up to this day, from my daughter Brooke Wilson DePue, was not at all virtual but very real, quite arduous, challenging on many levels, and with not a few emotions in play at any given time.
She began this journey in 1990, born to a loving and dedicated mother and to a guy dedicated to his work. But she opened up an entirely new perspective to me. Her mom also saw to it that I spent quality time with her.
Early Days — One Focused Gal
Our time in the Indian Princess program was not something I sought out. But it was something compelled upon me by my wife’s tears when I offered that perhaps I was too busy. It became a wonderful moment to see Brooke in operation with all her friends. That, and the fact that she demanded roughly a pound of bacon at breakfast on all our campouts.
Attending her softball games pointed out to me, if I needed any convincing, that here was a gal that was highly competitive and driven to meet her goals. But not so much that her team mates were left behind. No, the team and her friends had and always have had the greatest importance to her vision of what life is all about.
College Days — Get It Done
During our few college tours back in 2009 we came across Tarleton State University and she knew this was the place with the right level of school spirit, academic rigor, and as it turned out the right approach for her career training.
To give you some idea of her sense of focus and commitment, three years later she graduated magna cum laude with a major in psychology and minor in management. She also conducted a research project in academic performance and Internet dependency, presenting her work at the Texas Social Media Research Institute Conference.
Graduate School — Find Your Own Way
Then she engaged in a dual track program of working full time and attending college full time. First it was earning an M.S. in Management and Leadership at Tarleton as the first student in the College of Business to select and complete the thesis option. Her thesis was titled “Conflict Management and Communication Medium.” She was also named the Department of Management’s Most Outstanding Student in 2014.
PhD — Right Now
Next up was gaining admittance to the PhD program in the College of Education at Texas Tech University in 2017. Three years later she’s graduated with a Doctor of Philosophy in Higher Education Research. Her dissertation: Rational Choice Theory Applied to Higher Education Loans. This leveraged her work at West Texas A & M University in their Career Services Department where she provides research on career outcomes of student choices of college major. BTW — two months later she was promoted to Associate Director of Institutional Research.
Dad’s Perspective
When she headed off to Tarleton, I felt she’d made a good choice for a school. The psychology major, however, seemed a bit off the mark of finding a good job. After all, her dad and mom were both graduates of technical programs, electronics and chemistry respectively. But she made it all work and found a unique perspective and path to finding and achieving her career goals.
While completing her masters degree, a fantastic program that met her every need to take the next move toward a PhD, she moved to San Antonio working in the home construction business as a purchasing administrator. She also started searching for a doctorate program.
As she was settling on the selected program, she made perhaps the biggest decision of her life to move to the Texas Panhandle and connect with her future husband, Ethan DePue.
At their wedding I related how amazed I was at her decision to move to Amarillo. I used the phrase Whiskey Tango Foxtrot (WTF) a few times in my speech. I, of course, used those letters to describe not only my reaction to her bold decision but translated it to Wonderful Times For – Brooke and Ethan.
It has been wonderful times with amazing achievements and with God’s grace, even more lies ahead. Congratulations Brooke! We are all so proud of you and your accomplishment.
Thanks Be To God
Underlying Brooke’s journey of accomplishment is also her huge faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. It has sustained her in times of severe challenge and built her an enormous number of truly dear and supportive friends.
Psalm 57:2 says, “I cry out to God Most High, to God who fulfills his purpose for me.”
Proverbs 16:9 says, “The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.”
Please note that I left quite a few important people in Brooke’s life out of this short blog post. Be assured that there are many teachers, professors, managers, leaders, and very dear friends that have helped Brooke along every step of this extraordinary journey.
For those of you interested in the Virtual Graduation, here’s the video for the College of Education. Click on the image, which is set for the time of Brooke’s appearance in the ceremony. If it doesn’t work, try 35:16 on the video.
Update from Brooke dated July 10, 2020, with photos below.
On Wednesday I was gifted one of the biggest blessings. These amazing people have been planning a surprise graduation ceremony for me since May!! It is very hard to surprise me and I can tell you 100% I had no idea.
My heart burst open by the love that they shared. From borrowing my exact cap and gown, that I decided not to buy, to an entire ceremony of events including a prayer, keynote speech from my major professor (who they have been plotting with since May), a personalized poem, true hooding and presentation of degree, and the best celebration song ever, and of course in true Career Services fashion, a signature balloon arch.
God’s blessings in this life never cease to amaze me, and this group of people is truly a blessing from God. I am still at a loss for words from this experience. Thank you so much to EVERYONE who was involved in making this happen. This is truly “What dreams are made of”
