Current Release: April 28th, 2009 | Vol. XXX Iss. 10

Photo By Meghan See

Mother and daughter walk the same path

By Devin Cowhey

dncowhey@vwc.edu

For most graduates, as they receive their diplomas their families are cheering, excited.

In the crowd.

For Ashley Ladyman, as she receives her diploma, following right behind will be her mother, Desiree Ladyman.

What s even more intriguing is that they both will be graduating with a degree in business. They have worked together in Residence Life for the past year. Their lives seem to have the same path at Wesleyan.

For Ashley, it has not always been that way. Desiree did not start taking classes here until she was a sophomore and did not start working at VWC until October 2007.

 When she started working here, it was a little weird seeing her every day during the day, but I got used to it, Ashley said.  It is really convenient having her here. Anytime I need anything, she is here to help me out or listen to me complain or whatever.

Ashley has a double major in business and Spanish, but she has taken the same classes as Desiree. However, they have never shared a classroom.

 I have never had a class with her, but we have taken the same classes, Ashley said.  She literally refuses to give me her old tests. Why even have her here if she isn t going to help me out?

When Desiree had Ashley 22 years ago, she had not planned that college would be put on hold.

 But then life gets in the way, Desiree said.

Desiree had no deadline for herself to graduate. It just happened that she was finished in time to sit next to her daughter.

 If it would have worked out that I was finished a semester before Ashley, I definitely wouldn t have just taken classes and waited for her! Desiree said.

Since they both have the business degree, will they prehaps work together in the future?

Desiree isn t sure they would have the opportunity again, but Ashley did tell her about the job at Wesleyan.

 She is the one who told me about the job here, Desiree explained.

 She obviously doesn t mind working together.

For these two, it is something that they will cherish. They are close with each other, as well as the rest of the Ladyman family. That doesn t mean there is absolutely no competition.

For Ashley, this time of her life is bittersweet. But she realizes that she cannot stay in college forever.

As for graduation day, the family will only have to make one trip to Virginia. And, they will be sitting next to each another.

 I am sad I won t be sitting next to Kuong Lam at graduation, Ashley said.  I am excited that I am sitting next to her.

This is a big step in both of their lives that not very many families can share together.

 It won t be weird for me, Desiree said.  I hope it won t be too weird for her!

As for the competition& .

 We are all pretty competitive in our family, but it s more of doing our personal best, Desiree explained.  Besides, as many awards as Ashley has won, I wouldn t try to compete with her!

While Ashley would agree, she explains how she will be the first to graduate, officially.

 The really good news is that I graduate before her, Ashley said.  So I basically win.

For every senior, they are excited to be done with undergrad classes. They are excited to move on with their lives.

It is no different for the Ladymans.

 Marty (Desiree s husband) and I are going to Cancun for eight days to celebrate, so the thought of that is definitely getting me through the stress of housing selection at work and finals at school! Desiree said.  I see the light, and the umbrella drink at the end of the tunnel!

Ashley explained that Virginia Wesleyan has given her some of the best times and the best friends in her life. It will be a bittersweet graduation.

In 2014, Virginia Wesleyan may see another set of Ladymans graduate. Ashley s younger sisters, twins, Brooke and Taylor, look to make the journey through Wesleyan.