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UNT put a ring on it! We want to see YOUR class ring. Drop a picture in the comment section.
Photo Description: Carousel of students wearing their UNT class rings.
UNT at Frisco student Jerry J. Jerry knows all college students have unique stories about their journey to higher education.
“We all have to persevere past some entity to reach our goals,” says Jerry. “As a UNT community member and student, I’m most proud about being accepted into a community of academic achievers. I am capable of accomplishing any of my goals if I persevere.”
The 59-year-old has overcome a lot of life to reach his objectives and earn his Bachelor of Applied ...Arts and Science degree. A series of family deaths between 1999 and 2012 left him and his mother with only each other. Then, she was diagnosed with a debilitating disease and Jerry moved home to Fort Worth to become her caretaker.
“UNT enabled me to monitor her care and to continue my education,” says Jerry. “Additionally, UNT was one of the first universities in North Texas to desegregate during the civil rights era, which is very important to me. Attending and graduating from UNT has always been a dream of mine.”
Attending classes offered its own set of challenges and as his mother’s health started to decline, so did his grades. He was put on academic probation and on the first day of finals week in 2019, he held his mother’s hand as she passed away. Despite the tragic loss of his mother, Jerry stayed the course and took each one of his final exams.
“All of my professors made an impact, however UNT Department of Communication Studies Dr. Brian Lain, who taught my COMM 2140, Advocating in Public course, made the biggest impact on me continuing my studies at UNT,” says Jerry. “Dr. Lain’s empathy helped immensely, as he was the only support I had when my mother passed away during finals week. Student services helped when I was having a bad day, week, month or semester with various services and professional therapy sessions. Financially, when the pandemic closed everything, but our bills kept coming, I was fortunate enough to be awarded a UNT hardship grant.”
As Jerry celebrates being a member of the Mean Green Family, he’s looking forward to continuing his educational journey at Texas A&M University School of Law.
“Unlike life, education does not have an expiration date. Knowledge is empowering and soul-enriching. Education is the only thing no one can take from you. Each student’s educational journey is different and any road you take will get you there.”
Read more Great Grad stories: https://commencement.unt.edu/great-grads-fall-2020
Photo Description: Jerry J. Jerry posing with multiple graduation stoles and cords.
