Father and daughter awarded graduate degrees at Spring 2024 Commencement
Kate Malazonia | May 23, 2024
It is not every commencement that a parent and a child graduate on the same day. At Texas State University’s Spring 2024 Commencement ceremony, Kevin Elliott earned his doctorate in criminal justice and his daughter, Anna Marie Elliott, earned a master of arts in English literature.
Kevin is a Wichita Falls native and an Army “brat” having attended an international high school in Belgium. He played college baseball and completed his bachelor of science in criminal justice at the University of Texas at El Paso in 1987 after leaving school for a period to serve in the Army as a combat medic on medevacs.
After college, Kevin became a police detective in Los Angeles, California. There, he investigated street gangs and became a behavioral analysis expert before moving back to patrol as a field sergeant and watch commander. Simultaneously, Kevin started taking night classes for his master of public administration degree.
“We had two boys and my wife had lost four babies late term since the youngest boy,” Kevin said. “What can I say, she's a fiery stubborn Italian and would not give up. After two trips weekly to the hospital for injections and a long, difficult pregnancy, Anna Marie was born. She is our miracle child.”
Twenty-four years to the month after that graduation ceremony, Anna Marie graduated with her master's degree. She credits her father and mother for inspiring her along the path to higher education.
“My father began his journey for his doctorate when I was just getting out of elementary school,” Anna Marie said. “Seeing his long and arduous journey in the world of academia inspired me to strive for more than I thought I wanted. My father’s passion for writing and research provoked a curiosity and a taste for knowledge that drove me through my educational journey.”
Anna Marie’s mother is a lifelong educator with a master's degree in counseling and is currently a school principal in San Antonio.
Even though Anna Marie wishes to follow in her father’s footsteps and receive her Ph.D., her path was not always clear. After graduating high school, she was unsure of what her next steps would be.
“I had spent 10 years performing onstage in various theatre programs, and I planned to get a degree in film,” she said. “However, my first lecture at Texas State changed that entirely. Dr. Laura Sims had a class on world literature, and it is in that class that I fell in love with the written world.”
Anna Marie’s passion for English literature is clear in the way she talks about her discipline.
“Not only is it a vessel for art, but it is a capsule for culture, history, philosophy, and so much more,” she said. “Unlocking the hidden gems of literature and engaging in vibrant discussions over different works inspired me to surround myself with different works of literature and bask in their artistry.”
As a devoted father, Kevin proudly mentioned his children, saying, “We raised our children to be free-thinking individuals and supported them in whatever they pursued. Our only caveat was to enjoy what you do, do it well, never stop learning, never give up, be open to new things, always realize your blessings, and pay it forward.“
Looking back on his accomplishments, Kevin taught his children the great lesson of perseverance through life’s challenges.
“I started this program a long time ago, and life got in the way — PTSD, divorce, cancer, my 15th spine surgery a couple weeks ago from severe career injuries,” he said. “Finishing this at 62 years old holds the lesson of the caveat given to them, and it is a valuable one. It is a special time for our family. I'm so proud of my baby girl and want this experience to be a memory she does not forget. Walking with her and doing this together means the world.”
Anna Marie reflected on her own growth and development with an open mind for the future.
“I never thought I would do so well in college,” she said. “High school was a very difficult time for me, and it convinced me that I didn’t have the stamina to do well in higher education. Cut to my undergraduate commencement ceremony and I’ve graduated magna cum laude! After that, fast forward to me earning my master's. It’s been an insanely validating journey.
“Ideally, I'd love to live out the rest of my life as an artist dedicated to writing. For now, I hope to share my love for literature with the growing generation and inspire them to seek their passions.”
Kevin intends to “pay it forward” by writing and speaking on the humanity of law enforcement officers while working to bridge the divide between law enforcement and the community. He also hopes to write a few novels and take in some long-awaited fly fishing in the wilderness.
“It costs nothing to be kind and compassionate and to celebrate the differences that make us unique individuals all of equal value. We can all learn from each other, and a better world awaits.”
Share this article
For more information, contact University Communications:Jayme Blaschke, 512-245-2555 Sandy Pantlik, 512-245-2922 |