Andrea, Cindy and Danette Almaraz

Commencement Close-ups: A family affair

(Dec. 22, 2004)-- For more than 28 years, Patti and Larry Birney have walked through life as husband and wife. Last Friday, the Birneys shared an unprecedented walk as the first husband and wife to earn doctoral degrees together at UTSA.

"It would have been a long row to hoe without each other," says Patti on completing the educational leadership program. "We forged a strong bond."

Education has been intertwined in the Birney's relationship since they first laid eyes on each other. Although they attended Highlands High School and Southwest Texas State University at the same time, they did not know each other until Patti's last semester of undergraduate studies.

Ten years ago, the couple graduated together with master's degrees from then-Texas A&I University. After attending information sessions on the doctoral program at UTSA and gaining admission, both chose to attend primarily for convenience, but also because of the warm welcome they received from the faculty and staff.

Although the couple has similar educational backgrounds, their career focuses are separate spheres. Larry is acting deputy chief with the San Antonio Police Department, the first in his department to complete a doctoral program. Patti is assistant superintendent with East Central School District. Yet, through the program, both Patti and Larry have found valuable perspectives and skills they can apply to their respective jobs.

Throughout their journey at UTSA, the couple learned not only about fundamentals of educational leadership, but about each other. "[The program drew] us together and caused us to lean on each other for support," says Larry. "It really made the process easier, even though our focuses are different."

The Birneys were not the only family celebrating multiple graduations. The College of Education and Human Development ceremony was a family affair for the Almaraz sisters, Andrea, Cindy and Danette, who earned their master's degrees.

Education runs in the blood of the Almaraz sisters in more ways than one. Not only did the three sisters receive their master's degrees on Friday, but they also are elementary school teachers in the San Antonio Independent School District.

After graduating from San Antonio's Thomas Jefferson High School in their respective years, the sisters attended different colleges and universities, majoring in separate subjects. Then in the fall of 2001, they began their journey together at UTSA. "I think it brought us even closer," says Andrea, the youngest sister. "[We] are a support team for one another. Some days I would say, 'I can't do it,' but my older sisters would encourage me."

According to Danette, it was a sisterly bond that pushed the trio through several tough moments, particularly one presentation. "Everything clicked and fell into place --[working with my sisters] made it so much easier because we knew what each other were thinking."

Not that the experience was always perfect. "We had fun," she says. "[There were times when] we got on each other's nerves, but it was really worth it."

--Tina Luther