Spring Break
Graduating together: father/daughter duo
A father and daughter make the graduation walk together and leave their legacy at OSU
Makenna Bishop
Issue date: 6/5/09 Section: News
For many seniors graduation is a time for their families to travel to Corvallis in order to pack into Reser Stadium and watch them walk across the stage in support of their accomplishment.
For one graduating senior, her family won't only be there to support her, but will also be there for her father, who is also graduating this spring.
Christy Jones, a senior in business management and information systems, grew up in the Corvallis area and never expected to attend OSU after high school. When opportunity arose, however, she decided to change her mind.
Samuel Brady III, Jones' father, is graduating from OSU for the second time with a degree in advanced chemistry.
Brady attended OSU in the '80s, where he graduated with a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering. He then went on to work for Hewlett-Packard. After working there for 22 years, Brady lost his job. It was then that he decided to return to school.
"I figured you can never learn enough, so I decided to do something different," Brady said. "It just so happened that I ended up graduating at the same time as Christy."
Brady served in the Marines as a jet engine mechanic during the Vietnam War.
"Vietnam was an interesting experience. I saw too much stuff for such a young kid," Brady said. "Kids shouldn't be exposed to those things at such a young age."
Jones and Brady are both Native American and are part of the Eastern Band Cherokee tribe. They said they are extremely proud of their heritage.
The tribe is one of the only ones that have remained on their original land in North Carolina. When many Native Americans were forced to relocate on the Trail of Tears, many of the Eastern Band Cherokees remained on their reservation.
"We are direct descendants from those who stayed behind," Brady said. "It makes me proud to know that they risked their life and limbs, and stayed so strong."
Jones and Brady were both heavily involved in the Native American Longhouse cultural center on campus.
For one graduating senior, her family won't only be there to support her, but will also be there for her father, who is also graduating this spring.
Christy Jones, a senior in business management and information systems, grew up in the Corvallis area and never expected to attend OSU after high school. When opportunity arose, however, she decided to change her mind.
Samuel Brady III, Jones' father, is graduating from OSU for the second time with a degree in advanced chemistry.
Brady attended OSU in the '80s, where he graduated with a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering. He then went on to work for Hewlett-Packard. After working there for 22 years, Brady lost his job. It was then that he decided to return to school.
"I figured you can never learn enough, so I decided to do something different," Brady said. "It just so happened that I ended up graduating at the same time as Christy."
Brady served in the Marines as a jet engine mechanic during the Vietnam War.
"Vietnam was an interesting experience. I saw too much stuff for such a young kid," Brady said. "Kids shouldn't be exposed to those things at such a young age."
Jones and Brady are both Native American and are part of the Eastern Band Cherokee tribe. They said they are extremely proud of their heritage.
The tribe is one of the only ones that have remained on their original land in North Carolina. When many Native Americans were forced to relocate on the Trail of Tears, many of the Eastern Band Cherokees remained on their reservation.
"We are direct descendants from those who stayed behind," Brady said. "It makes me proud to know that they risked their life and limbs, and stayed so strong."
Jones and Brady were both heavily involved in the Native American Longhouse cultural center on campus.
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Mary Rushton
posted 6/05/09 @ 7:13 AM PST
Congratulations Sam and Christy. You have both worked so hard and deserve every wonderful moment of your success. I'm so proud of you both!
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