ABERDEEN, S.D. – For Donovan Knecht and his mother, Michelle Knecht, May 10 will be more than just a day to walk across the stage—it will be the culmination of a journey they took side by side.

Donovan, a Business Administration major, and Michelle, who is earning her degree in General Studies, are both set to graduate from Northern State University this weekend. Though their college experiences looked a little different—Donovan as a traditional student on campus and Michelle as a nontraditional online learner—they shared more than a last name. They shared late-night study sessions, class advice, and the motivation to reach a milestone together.

Originally from Jacksonville, North Carolina, Donovan moved with his family to Selby, South Dakota, when he was eight, following his father’s retirement from the Marine Corps. He was drawn to Northern for its small-town atmosphere and supportive academic environment, which reminded him of the close-knit community he grew up in. “What inspired me to go to Northern was the small-town vibe,” said Donovan. “When I saw the student-faculty ratio was 20:1, it reminded me of my high school class of 16 students. That made it feel like home.”

Michelle’s path to Northern started with a dream of teaching art. After working as a paraprofessional at Selby Area School beginning in 2012, she began taking college courses in 2017. When the school needed a fine arts teacher in 2020, she stepped up—earning a Performing Artist Permit to teach art. Since then, she’s continued her education, and with her bachelor’s degree now complete, she will go on to pursue her Alternative Teaching Certificate through the South Dakota Department of Education.

“She’s been an inspiration,” said Donovan. “Even though we weren’t in the same classes, it was great to talk about professors or use her notes and books. I had a few free books thanks to her!”

Michelle initially pursued an art education degree but pivoted to General Studies to better align with the teaching opportunity at Selby. “She knew there were students who weren’t interested in band or chorus, and she wanted to give them another creative outlet,” Donovan said.

Studying alongside his mom brought the two closer together. “I feel like I’ve been able to open up more about my day-to-day experiences,” Donovan shared. “We’ve had more educated conversations. It really brought us closer.”

Now, they’ll cross the finish line—together. “Graduating on the same day will be a proud moment for both of us,” said Donovan. “We’ll be closing this chapter and opening the next.”

Michelle echoed the sentiment: “It’s a moment of accomplishment—not just for me as a mother, but for us as a family.”