Father-son pair anticipate upcoming UH commencement: 'I am glad we can share the experience of completing our degrees together'

Among the thousands slated to have degrees conferred to them by the University of Houston (UH) this weekend is the father-son duo of Ross and Levi Cook. 

Citing a university-issued press release, Houston NBC affiliate KPRC reported that Levi will graduate with a bachelor's degree in supply chain management from the C. T. Bauer College of Business on Friday while 58-year-old Ross anticipates turning his tassel to the left on Saturday after he receives his bachelor's degree in technology and leadership innovation management from the College of Technology.

Aside from being able to call themselves UH graduates, Ross and Levi are also veterans, per KPRC. 

For the elder Cook, the decision to enroll at the university was made simple by how it has his desired program. 

“The bachelor’s in TLIM is a versatile program that allowed me to build on many of the skills I gained both in the Navy and as a professional,” he said in the report.

The rare privilege of graduating at the same time as dear old dad isn’t lost on Airman Levi, who is “extremely proud” of Ross.

“It’s not easy to go back to school in your 50s, but he did it,” the son said, according to UH. “He’s an example for so many others out there, who may have thought school passed them by.”

Ross said in the release that he’s glad he took a chance on pursuing his degree. 

“It’s been a daunting and amazing experience, and I am glad I did it,” the father said. “It will be a great graduation weekend for our family … I am glad we can share the experience of completing our degrees together.”