[Asia Economy Reporter Hana Na] A father who did not tell his family for four years that he was attending the same university as his daughter surprised everyone by showing his own diploma when his daughter graduated.
On the 14th (local time), major U.S. media reported the story of 47-year-old Mike Roben from Illinois, who shocked his entire family at a celebration for his daughter Talley’s graduation.
Talley, who completed her bachelor's degree in psychology at Grand Canyon University in Phoenix, Arizona, received her diploma by mail because the university did not hold a graduation ceremony due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
However, the name on the diploma delivered to their home was not "Talley Roben" but her father’s name, "Mike Roben." The family initially thought the university had mistakenly put the father’s name instead of the graduate’s.
At that moment, Mr. Roben appeared wearing the same graduation cap and gown as Talley and announced the surprise news, "I am graduating from college with Talley today."
Mr. Roben had been attending the same school as his daughter for four and a half years without telling anyone in the family.
Running a staffing company, Mr. Roben decided to earn the college degree he had given up on when he was younger. In 2016, he applied to the university Talley was attending and was easily admitted.
He kept his attendance a secret from his family and planned the surprise event to reveal it when Talley graduated. Since Talley, her brother Austin, and their mother Carrie were all busy studying at different universities, Mr. Roben’s plan went smoothly without being discovered.
When the family learned of Mr. Roben’s long-held secret, they were moved to tears, touched by the fact that he had balanced work and studies for the family, just as he had once given up studying for their sake.
Talley said, "I never imagined Dad was going to school because he never showed any sign of struggle. I am so proud of what he has accomplished."
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