Arkansas issued the following announcement on June 28.
Dakotah Cooper of Magnolia became a father two days after the U of A's spring commencement, so he was not able to walk at the ceremony in Fayetteville. More than 440 students who studied in online degree programs applied for graduation in May.
Baby Piper joined Cooper and his wife, Natalie, in a different ceremony Wednesday in Magnolia where he was presented his framed diploma for a Master of Science in Operations Management in front of the U of A's RazorBug.
Cooper studied online, meaning he did not have to move his growing family and leave his job as a chemical engineer to earn a graduate degree from the U of A. He had earned his bachelor's degree in chemical engineering from Southern Arkansas University in Magnolia in 2018.
"This is a cool experience," Cooper said as the RazorBug drove into place and the small group assembled with a camera crew to witness his accomplishment. The heat was sweltering in south Arkansas even as the day moved into evening. "I didn't get a chance to walk at graduation, so to still be presented my diploma is cool."
U of A faculty and staff members traveled throughout south Arkansas last week to present diplomas to some of the recent graduates who earned degrees in online programs. Megan Whobrey, adviser and academic services coordinator in the U of A's College of Engineering, drove from Fayetteville to present Cooper his diploma.
Cooper and his wife were both first-generation college students and both now have master's degrees. They hope to be role models for daughter Piper, and maybe someday she'll earn a doctorate.
Original source can be found here.
Source: Arkansas
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