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Sure, parents are often on hand cheering when their child graduates from college, but how many can say they walked the stage with their child, collecting their own diploma at the same time?

Bryan Stewart, ’08, G’25 received an early Father’s Day gift last month when he and his son, Shawn Stewart, ’23, G’25 , both accepted their master’s degrees during 51�Թ���’s graduate commencement ceremonies, held at Gillette Stadium.

“It was really special,” Shawn said. “Education is a pathway to all sorts of things and being able to do it with the people that you love, it’s something you can’t trade for the world.”

For both men, the journey at 51�Թ��� started when Shawn was still in elementary school. That’s when Bryan, a first-generation student, was enrolled and studying as an undergraduate at what was then Bridgewater State College.

“Some of my earliest memories are being at BSU,” Shawn said, recalling he had his first Starbucks beverage on campus while his dad was in class. “It’s a journey that’s spanned two decades and came to a close at Gillette. Being able to share that, and for our family to watch us both do it at the same time, not too many people get to do that.”

For Bryan, having that moment with his son was magical.

“I believe everything happens for a reason. We couldn’t have planned it any better,” he said. And like any good father would, he added, “I’m so proud of him.”

The double, or quadruple Bears pursued different paths at Bridgewater. Shawn earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a master’s degree in social work, while Bryan has a bachelor’s in computer science and Master of Business Administration degree.

Working toward their graduate degrees, the two leaned on each other for support. Shawn helped his dad outline essays, while Bryan guided his son in math-related courses.

“We were able to use our strengths to help balance out the other’s weaknesses and accomplish what we were trying to do. It was really helpful,” Shawn said. 

Since graduating, Shawn is already working in mobile crisis intervention at Riverside Community Care and Bryan recently switched jobs, accepting a managerial position at BlueVoyant, a cyber security company.

Both agree their time at Bridgewater has helped them navigate their careers.

“I feel lucky in that every situation I’ve come across I’ve felt prepared for,” Shawn said. “Bridgewater definitely prepares its students for the real world.”

Will the two return to the classroom in the future?

“To be determined,” Shawn said.

“My thought is, you’re never to old to go back to school and if you can do it with your kid, just do it,” Bryan said. “It was an amazing experience.”

Shawn knows of one way to get the father-son duo back on campus.

“BSU should add doctoral programs, then we can come back,” he laughed.

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