Sue Tawwater

Good afternoon, faculty, friends, family and graduates.

When my advisor, Kasey McKee, approached me about speaking here today, I was filled with emotion and a few tears came to my eyes. I started my Bachelor of Arts journey with UTD in 2003, more than 20 years ago, but my entire journey from starting college to standing before you today took 32 years.

My educational journey started inauspiciously with getting laid off seven times in just four years. A lot of people were out of work at that time, and finding a job was highly competitive. I wanted what most people want: to work and feel a sense of certainty and security for myself and my family. I enrolled at Collin College and got hired as a student worker to help pay tuition. My goal was to complete a degree and obtain transferable skills for life and employment. I wanted to feel confident, secure and stable in my job.

At the time, my youngest child was in kindergarten, my oldest was in middle school and my kitchen table was homework central — for me and the kids. My oldest son taught me valuable skills like booting up a computer. I had to remember, if I needed any help with technology, I needed to ask early — before his bedtime.

I was able to start a career with Baylor Medical Center at Garland, which offered tuition reimbursement opportunities. My tribe, the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, also greatly assisted and supported me with grants and scholarships. With the help of both the Choctaw Nation and Baylor, I was able to transfer and attend UTD with no debt. As an older adult, avoiding debt was important to me, so I chose a “pay as you go plan,” re-investing my tuition assistance. This usually limited my classes to two a semester. It was slow going, but I remained determined.

Just like other nontraditional students, many major life events have happened during my educational journey. I have lost loved ones, including both my beloved parents. I have gained many blessings, especially the joys of my two grandchildren. And like many students struggling with career and family while going to school, I took a hiatus from school.

In 2011, I felt God was calling me to be with my grandchildren, so I took some time off, but I didn’t give up. Now 13 years later, I realize Proverbs 16:9 explains this best, “A man’s heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps.”

When I think back on my life, my accomplishments and struggles, I feel the long, hard road to this day has strengthened me and made me a more determined and dedicated student and human being. I have thought often, as I followed this path, of my great grandmother Hattie, who was sent to a Native American boarding school. Her life was marked with deprivation and struggle, and she was never even able to attend high school. I wonder what she would think of my graduation today. I hope and believe that she would be proud of me, and of all her descendants who were able to accomplish what she was denied. I also think of my mother, who with dedication, love and passion for our heritage, paved the way for our Native American history to be acknowledged. My mother supported me endlessly, and I wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for her. I know she is proud and watching as I stand here having realized a lifelong dream.

I may seem different from you, but we are not so different. We all know the feeling of lost sleep, lost holidays and lost weekends traded to complete assignment deadlines. We all worked to earn our grades and our degrees, no matter our ages and circumstances. Whether our lives are already long or relatively short, today we have completed and accomplished a lifelong goal! Be proud, be happy and be grateful to those who helped you get here.

To that end, I would like to acknowledge my husband, Jim: thank you! I could never have achieved my goals without his patience and encouragement. For the last 32 years he has loved telling people that he is married to a “college chick.” Well, now he’s finally married to a college graduate. We did it! Congratulations, Class of 2024!

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Sue Tawwater is graduating with a bachelor’s in interdisciplinary studies, with foundation in education and behavioral science and a concentration in education. She began her college career at Collin College, where she was vice president and a member of Psi Beta, the Community College National Honor Society in Psychology. She transferred to The University of Texas at Dallas in the fall of 2003. Currently, she works as a substitute for Woodcreek Church Mother’s Day Out preschool. She is a member of the United Women in Faith Women’s group and currently serves on the Staff Parish Relations and Missions Committees at First United Methodist Church of Sachse. Her Native American heritage runs deep with both Choctaw and Chickasaw history. After graduation, she wishes to remain a lifelong learner and continue working with early preschool children, volunteering and advancing her learning in areas of Indian Health Services, family genealogy and Native American history.