Dad and His Daughter Are Getting Their Degrees Together After Graduating from the Same College

Mackenzie and Tom Toner found it "funny" how they helped each other with their homework

NEED TO KNOW

• Mackenzie Toner and her dad, Tom, are graduating together from Thomas College with bachelor’s and master’s degrees
• Tom, the college’s director of IT services, returned to school after 30 years with help from Mackenzie
• Tom called graduating alongside his daughter an “amazing” experience and looks forward to her pursuing a master’s degree

A father-daughter duo will have a unique graduation experience when they cross the stage to receive their diplomas together.

Mackenzie Toner and her dad, Tom, are both graduating from Thomas College in Waterville, Maine. She is receiving her bachelor's degree.

As for Tom, he works as the director of IT services at the college, and is pursuing a master's degree.

“Putting that extra time in and focusing on how do I get back to here, which is the level of play I want to be at. And he helps me with that every time,” Mackenzie said, according to Hawaii News Now and WIS News 10.

However, Tom hadn't been to school in three decades, so relied on a bit of Mackenzie's help with studying questions.

“Like, do you know how to do this? And I'm like, 'well, it's a master's accounting class. Like, not really, but like, let me look at it and figure it out,' ” she explained. “It was funny that I was able to help him a little bit with what I've been learning too.”

Even though Tom needed assistance, he was dedicated to getting his degree to advance to the next stage of his career.

“When there's a will, there's a way. And, that never giving up and always keeping your eyes on moving forward and being successful and, you know, trying to grow,” he said.

He explained that being able to graduate alongside his daughter was just an "amazing" opportunity.

“To be able to, not just to see her graduate, to accomplish that, but to be able to join her and also walk across the stage,” he said. “Just to share that time, this special occasion. It's amazing.”

Now, Tom has his sights set on the future, especially for his daughter, saying, “I'm excited to see her accomplish this."

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He added, "First step, her bachelor's, two bachelor's, and then, looking forward to her moving forward to the master's thesis and to help her with that."

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