A Family Affair

When Mary Garrett watched her daughter, Beth, receive a diploma from Rice May 11, Mary wasn’t sitting on the quadrangle with other family members—she was literally following in Beth’s footsteps. Believed to be the first mother and daughter to graduate from Rice on the same day, Mary and Beth Garrett spent the past two years as roommates.

Mary had originally enrolled at Rice in 1982 after graduating from Truett-McConnell College. “After a year here, I had to drop out because of family needs,” Mary explains, adding that she had seven children to take care of at home. “I always wanted to come back and finish working on my degree, but life got in the way for 20 years.”

Beth transferred to Rice from the University of Alaska in 1999, and a year later she and her siblings encouraged their mother to go back to school. In addition to being able to fulfill her dream of a college education, Mary also was enticed by the fact that she’d be able to visit her children and grandchildren who live in Houston.

That was enough incentive for Mary to reenroll at Rice in 2000 to pursue a degree in sociology. But she had to learn more than just academics.

“Mother did not grow up in the technological revolution,” explains Beth, “so she was unfamiliar with computers, software programs, and e-mail.” Mary credits Beth with helping her maneuver what often turned out to be “computer nightmares” and with instructing her on how to be a college student in the 21st century.

Beth, who majored in anthropology and women and gender studies, did not sign up for the same classes as her mother until this past semester, when they both took geology and Native American literature.

“We were both a little apprehensive about taking classes together, but it worked out very well,” says Beth. When Mary turned assignments in early, Beth chided her, saying, “You’re making me look bad!”

For the most part, the two Garretts studied separately. However, they frequently debated over texts they had read or reflected on interesting discussions in the classroom. Beth notes that “it was certainly a unique and wonderful experience to have a friend come up and say, ‘I saw your mom in class today, and she had some especially insightful comments.’”

Beth was more active with extracurricular activities, serving as president of the Rice University Native American Student Association (RUNASA) for two of the three years that she was a member. She was the curator of several displays at Fondren Library, including one sponsored by RUNASA, which was installed to highlight Native American cultures and community events at Rice and to promote the association’s annual spring powwow. In association with the Program for the Study of Women and Gender, Beth initiated the first and second annual GLBTQ (gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgendered, and queer) displays in Fondren to create support and dialogue and provide information on the diverse issues related to sexuality on and beyond the Rice campus. She also was a member of the recently chartered campus chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. As a six-year volunteer with Habitat for Humanity, Beth participated in the Rice Habitat Honduras trip in 2000.

Because of the adjustment to student life, Mary says she devoted her time and energy to meeting academic requirements. “When I wasn’t working on that, it was down time or sleep time.” Now that she’s earned her degree, Mary plans to return to Alaska to work in one of the Alaska Native villages.

Mary regrets that her husband, who died in 1996, was not able to see her and Beth graduate from Rice. “He was a very strong proponent of education,” she says, “and it was because of his influence and support that I went to junior college at age 40.”

Beth has applied for a judicial administrative fellowship with California State University in Sacramento. After that, she plans to enter law school to study civil rights law.

The mother and daughter were not the first in their family to graduate from Rice or to be proud members of Baker College. They were preceded by two of Beth’s siblings, Lee Ann ’89 and John ’92.

“I was honored to attend graduation this year and hear the names of my mother and sister being called,” says Lee Ann. “It pleases me to know that Rice has provided such an excellent learning environment for so many members of our family.”

“I am especially proud of Mama and Beth because as nontraditional students,” John explains, “they overcame more than the usual obstacles in realizing their dreams.”

“Rice has made a huge difference in the lives of my family,” says John. “We offer our affection and gratitude as well as a pool of future graduates. My daughter just turned 1,” he adds. “Look out, Class of 2022!”

—B. J. Almond