The bond between mothers and daughters is known for being very strong, and the ties between Sheree Bouchillon and her daughter Babs will grow even stronger when they both graduate from MSU on May 11.
A university employee for nearly 15 years, Sheree decided to take advantage of her employee tuition remission benefits and go back to school for her bachelor's degree in interdisciplinary studies.
"There are so many classes that are so fascinating and worthwhile. It's a great benefit that the university offers free classes for employees," she said.
Currently a technology licensing assistant in the Office of Entrepreneurship and Technology Transfer, after she graduates Sheree wants to help promote the university as a student advisor or a recruiter.
"I've loved taking classes and being on campus. I love working here, but you don't really understand what MSU is all about until you're a student," she said.
Babs is graduating with a bachelor's degree in marketing and plans to make a career in graphic design, advertising and marketing. She's led a very involved student life, as she was an Honors student and served on the 2011-2012 Student Association Cabinet, while going to school full-time and working on campus.
The pair's degrees round out this Bulldog family, as Sheree's husband Rusty Bouchillon (1985) and sons Gray Silva (2006) and Terry Silva (2012) also are MSU graduates.
"This was a really big goal for me. I wanted to be an official Bulldog," she said. "And now the whole family is True Maroon."
And while going back to school can be daunting, Babs and her friends made sure Sheree felt welcome.
"All of my friends love my mom, so when they saw her on campus they would say hi to her and wanted to sit next to her in class," Babs said.
"The students here have really been wonderful. It's a great bunch of kids out there, and I'm proud to know my family has been a part of it," Sheree added.
Both are participating in the commencement ceremony and afterward will celebrate with extended family and friends.