Au.D. grad receives special family surprise
Posted: September 11, 2009
Tabitha Parent-Buck, Au.D., audiology chair; Claire Stopher, Au.D., ’09; and Dr. Stopher’s three children.
Audiology student and single mom Claire Stopher’s graduation from ATSU was not just a celebration for her, but for her entire family. Not only did her father travel all the way from Australia to see her graduate, but her kids had a surprise of their own.
For months, her three children were secretly constructing a banner to present to their mother on her graduation day. On the night of her graduation dinner, August 8, the secret was revealed. On the banner, her kids included pictures of themselves, pictures of Stopher receiving her degree, and drawings of ATSU’s Arizona Campus.
Stopher’s graduation was a huge accomplishment for herself and for her children. “It took a lot of sacrifice on my children’s part for me to complete my degree since it meant that I had less time to spend with them,” said Stopher.