What's Hot

'I Never Knew That': Watch Elton John Learn Story Behind 1 Of His Biggest Hits

Country Star Delivers Satisfying 3-Word Dare To Tennessee Police During LGBTQ Concert

'Daily Show' Guest Al Franken Gives Susan Collins Blunt Reminder Of Her Failure

Jimmy Kimmel Spots Surest Sign Trump Is In Full-Blown Panic Mode

Filthy Montage Mocks CNN, MSNBC Coverage Of Looming Trump Arrest

Fox News Pundit Serves Up Shockingly Ludicrous Take On Right-Wing Protesters

The Moral Dilemma Over Working For Donald Trump

Lawrence O’Donnell Tears Apart Jim Jordan And His Team Of 'Unprofessional Hacks'

Jamie Raskin Schools Right-Wing Book Banning Efforts In Vicious Takedown

Sam Neill Recalls Heartbreaking Memory Of Robin Williams In New Memoir

Biden Administration Punts On A Chance To Make A Cancer Drug Cheaper

Opinion: It's Time For ‘Woke’ To Be Put To Sleep

Black Voicesflorida a&m universitybusiness schoolfamu

Florida Father And Son Share A Graduation Stage

Father And Son Share A Graduation Stage

Editorial Fellow, HuffPost

|

This Saturday, Sherwood Brown and his son, Sherwood Jr., shared the same stage for their graduation from Florida A&M University's School of Business and Industry. The younger Brown received a bachelor's in business management, while his father, who earned a bachelor's from FAMU in 1989, received an MBA from the school's online degree program. The Browns are a FAMU family through and through: Sherwood Jr.'s mother Rebecca met the elder Sherwood at the university when they were both undergraduates.

This happy graduation coincidence "wasn't planned," Sherwood Sr. told FAMU. "We just looked up one day and realized that we would both be graduating at the same time."

Sherwood Sr. explained that he originally suspended his pursuit of an MBA to focus on fatherhood and work responsibilities.

That decision clearly paid off: Not only is Sherwood Jr. receiving his degree this spring, his brother Yeman is also graduating from Florida State University's dance program.

The Browns' simultaneous achievements are reminiscent of Dorian Joyner Sr. and Jr., a father and son who shared a graduation weekend at Morehouse College last May.

Sherwood fils cites his parents' success as the inspiration for his perseverance through academic and musical endeavors. In addition to his bachelor's degree, the younger Brown has already completed the writing, producing, marketing and release of an album, "The Wood."

"I knew, through the encouragement and example of my parents, that I had to do things in order and finish my degree," Sherwood Jr. told FAMU. "I was taught that you can't just jump out in the fire."

Clearly the family's mantra -- "if you start something, finish it" -- is an effective one. With five college degrees among the four Brown family members, there's a lot to be proud of.

Go To Homepage

Before You Go

1
Bucknell University, Pennsylvania, US
Bucknell University/Facebook
The students at this liberal arts college in Pennsylvania mark the Commencement by holding candlelit vigil the night before graduation.
2
The United States Air Force Academy, Colorado
Flickr
The USAFA famously lays claim to the 'hat toss' tradition adopted by so many other universities. Combined with a spectacular flypast, theirs is still the original and best.
3
University of Bristol, UK
Flickr
Graduands at Bristol are unusual in that they don't wear mortarboards at all, because once, according to legend, too many got thrown from Brunel's Clifton Suspension Bridge, and it was deemed a 'hazard'.
4
Oxford and Cambridge Universities, UK
At the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge, a fur-lined hood is worn, traditionally across the shoulders (not over the head!). Part of the ceremony is also conducted in Latin, to the general bemusement of most students.
5
Stanford University, US
Flickr
At Stanford, California, graduating students wear a lurid pink and orange stole instead of the traditional hood.
6
Kanazawa College of Art, Japan
Twitter
At this Japanese art school, you can wear anything you want, which annually whips media outlets into a frenzy . The annual ceremony has become so famous that TV crews turn up each year to see what the students are wearing
7
Kanazawa College of Art, Japan
Twitter
...and by anything, they mean anything.
8
Yale University, US
AP
Not their actual graduation robes, but still, they look rather quirky. The graduation at Yale last year was a rather blue event, as students donned protective plastic kagools in the drizzle.
9
Smith College, Massachusetts, US
Smith College facebook
At this all women's liberal arts college, the alma mater of Sylvia Plath, Smithies have a unique graduation ceremony called the 'diploma circle'. They pass round their diplomas until each receives their own and leaves the circle.
10
New York University, US
Getty
After graduation at NYU, students like to cool off by jumping in New York's Washington Square fountain, still wearing their full regal purple academic dress.
11
Spanish universities
YouTube/ Flickr dhjerodas
Spain's traditional approach towards graduation academic dress includes embellished cuffs, elbow length cape and a circular shape cap.
12
University of the Philippines
UPOU Alumni
Some view students as only having truly graduated if they have marched onstage to accept their diploma during the ceremony.Ceremonies are held at the end of March, and Filipinos take part in graduation every time they complete a level of education.Students wear Sunday best, with a traditional stole worn to indicate honour and distinction.Garlands are essential to graduations, and are usually made from ribbon and shaped into flowers.
13
University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa
University of the Witwatersrand
The University of the Witwatersrand (WITS) choir (pictured) is present at every graduation ceremony.According to reports, once the academic procession has left the hall, the song 'I Got You' by James Brown is played over the loudspeakers
14
Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University, Japan
Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University
Some female students wear onna hakama while others opt for kimino, with males donning either traditional haori hakama or suits during Japanese graduations, which are usually held in March.Each student walks up onto the stage when his or her name is called, bows once, receives the certificate with both hands, bows once more, and returns to their seat.
15
Sun Yat-sen University, China
PA
Graduate students dressed in old time clothing pose for photos for their graduation at Sun Yat-sen University on June 27, 2012 in Guangzhou, Guangdong Province of China.
16
Rajamangala University of Technology Phra Nakho, Thailand
RMUTP
Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn presided over the university's ceremony.For Thai government universities, the graduates will be handed their diploma by the HRH Crown Prince or Her Royal Highness Princess Pra-Tape or Her Royal Highness Princess Chulabhorn, one Thai blog explains. Only the graduates are allowed to be in the ceremony hall. All the relatives and friends have to wait outside.Shoes have to be black with no decoration, males have to have short hair, with no moustache or beard.Females have to wear stockings and no hair accessories, and all graduates have to wear the graduation gown over their student uniform

Editorial Fellow, HuffPost