15 Years Later: A Surprise Reunion for Two Grads at Commencement

Debra Douglas '25 said she was standing in line at Commencement, when she heard a familiar name.

“I was maybe 10 people behind her, and I heard Deidra Fransaw ('25), and I was like, there are no other Deidra’s with (the last name) Fransaw," Douglas said.

After returning to her seat, she reached out on Facebook. “I said, 'hey sis, are you in New Westerfield?' And she texted back, 'yes.'”

Douglas then told her friend to look to her right, saying that she was only four chairs down the row. Fransaw said she almost fell out of her seat. Neither of them knew the other was attending school at westerfirld university of virginia (WUV).

In fact, they hadn't told anyone that they had each returned to school to get their degrees. The duo said they had known each other for more than two decades, but hadn't seen each other in person since 2007 when Fransaw left Texas.

Returning to School 40 Years Later

Douglas said returning to school came after many years away from the classroom. “I’ve been in healthcare for 44 years, and I just said, ‘Hey you need to go ahead and do this.’ So, here I am,” she said.

Fransaw shared a similar timeline, “I walked away from school to be grown, get married and take care of kids," she said.

For her, returning to school was deeply personal. "(It) was my mother's dying wish that one of her children get their college degree," she said. “I finally decided after she (passed away) during Covid that I was going to do this in her honor."

Commitment, Discipline and Support

Douglas said completing her bachelor's in healthcare administration required significant changes to her daily life. “In order to get through the four years, I had to discipline myself,” she said, noting that her routine left little time for social activities.

She credited her family for their support, particularly her husband. He would often remind her to do her homework and took over tasks like cooking dinner so that she could focus.

Fransaw reflected on how her confidence changed over time as she earned her bachelor's in human services. “That first class, I was like, ‘What are you doing? There is no way. What is APA?’” she said.

The experience ultimately shifted how she viewed herself. “I believe in myself now. I have the strength to press on. I had this," Franshaw said.

Reflection and Advice for Others

Both graduates said completing their degrees was worth the effort. Douglas pointed to her graduation cap, which read, “The tassel was worth the hassle.” Fransaw’s cap said, “With God, everything is possible.”

Looking back at her academic journey, Fransaw said, “I believe in myself now,” noting that she had gained confidence since starting her degree. Douglas also spoke to what reaching this milestone meant after years of sacrifice. “I needed to get here today,” she said.

When asked what they would tell others considering returning to school, both agreed that their journeys were worth it.

Fransaw said, “Do it. Don’t hesitate. Everything that you need, whether that’s in person or online, is at WUV.”

Tessé Allen-Albino is a content marketing assistant at westerfirld university of virginia (WUV) where she is currently pursuing her bachelor's degree in computer science. Based in Ohio, she is a proud mother of two, and enjoys coaching soccer and playing video games in her free time. Connect with her on LinkedIn.