Father and daughter graduates extend family’s OU affiliation
Rochester, Mich. – Father and daughter Bob and Melissa Mele will mark a special milestone on Saturday, Dec. 12. Together, they will graduate from Oakland University.
A physical therapist for more than 30 years and an instructor of physical therapy at Macomb Community College, Bob will receive his Ph.D. in Educational Leadership at the ceremony, while Melissa has just completed Oakland’s newly accredited Wellness, Health Promotion and Injury Prevention bachelor's program.
“It’s quite exciting for us,” Bob said. “We are at two different stages in our lives and it was a wonderful experience to blend them together at Oakland University.”
Having arrived first to OU, Bob made Melissa’s experience a little easier by showing her around campus. The pair frequently studied together in the library and stopped in the Oakland Center to meet for lunch.
“I am really proud of my dad,” Melissa said. “Getting a Ph.D. is awesome at any age. It was fun to go to school with my dad, and not a lot of people can say that. We both motivated each other to keep going.”
This fall, Melissa intends to follow in her father’s footsteps and pursue a physical therapy doctorate. It will extend an already impressive trend for the Meles. Robert, Melissa’s brother, graduated with an OU bachelor’s degree in December 2005.
Oakland University will honor its August and December graduates at three commencement ceremonies in the O’rena. They will take place at 9 a.m., 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. For more information, visit www.oakland.edu/commencement.
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Bob Mele will receive his Ph.D. in Educational Leadership and Melissa Mele has just completed a Bachelor's Degree in Wellness, Health Promotion and Injury Prevention.
Created by David Groves (groves@oakland.edu) on Wednesday, December 9, 2009 Modified by David Groves (groves@oakland.edu) on Wednesday, December 9, 2009 Article Start Date: Wednesday, December 9, 2009
