Family Honors

HHARRIS@bridgew.edu — Fri, 13 Jun 2025 18:25:19 +0000

Family Honors HHARRIS@bridgew.edu Fri, 06/13/2025 - 14:25

Father and son share the spotlight during graduate commencement ceremony

June 17, 2025

Heather Harris Michonski

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.

Do you have a BSU story you'd like to share? Email stories@bridgew.edu

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.

Shawn Stewart, '08. G'25

Change of Plan

HHARRIS@bridgew.edu — Wed, 04 Jun 2025 14:45:34 +0000

Change of Plan HHARRIS@bridgew.edu Wed, 06/04/2025 - 10:45

Recent graduate finds her dream career after years of perseverance

June 10, 2025

Heather Harris Michonski

School was always somewhat of a challenge for Emily Aronson, G’25. Because of this, she experienced a lack of confidence.

“I’m not a good test taker, I struggle with time management and have a hard time studying,” Aronson said.

Despite the obstacles, she was able to persevere and earned her bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from another university in 2014. She thought that was the end of her academic journey. But then came the COVID-19 pandemic. The forced isolation gave her time to reflect.

“Like a lot of people, I found that time to be depressing, but it created a space for me to think more in depth about what I wanted to do,” Aronson said.

Her experience helping to support a loved one with addiction left her with a strong desire to help others. Because of this, a career in social work was appealing, but given her previous educational experience, she wasn’t confident enough to take the leap.

Still, a voice inside her head told her to seek out options, and she discovered the master’s in social work program at 51�Թ��. Nervous, she filled out the application and waited.

When the day came that she learned of her acceptance, it was life changing.

“I was like, this is it! I can create an entire life for myself. It really boosted my confidence. For the first time I thought, I can really do this,” Aronson said.

The journey to the commencement stage wasn’t always easy. The initial plan was to graduate within three years of enrolling, but it took a little longer than expected. As a working professional, trying to juggle it all was difficult at times, including an internship that didn’t pan out.

“But looking back, having to leave that internship was a blessing in disguise. Even though it didn’t work out, I still walked away with knowledge. Nothing you do is never really a waste of time,” Aronson said.

The support received from her BSU professors also helped guide her, especially on days when she questioned herself.

“I’m usually an introvert, a reserved person, but the small class sizes allowed me to engage. The professors really get to know you and I was able to get out of my comfort zone,” Aronson said.

Having the right support, paired with her determination paid off. This past May she earned her master’s degree in social work from BSU and currently works as a behavioral health counselor at the Boston Medical Center, Clinical Stabilization Services in Brockton.

“For so long, I really felt lost but knew I wanted to help others,” Aronson said. “For so long I pushed myself down, and didn’t think I could do this, I settled for less.”

And even though things felt out-of-reach at times, the newly minted BSU graduate said all the doubts and triumphs help her to better relate to those she now supports.

“Things may not always go as planned, sometimes life works in other ways,” she said. “But even though things are sometimes delayed, do not let that deny you of the things you want.”

Do you have a BSU story you'd like to share? Email stories@bridgew.edu

Things may not always go as planned, sometimes life works in other ways. But even though things are sometimes delayed, do not let that deny you of the things you want.

Emily Aronson, G’25

College of Graduate Studies

Family Honors

Change of Plan