William Davis had unfinished business at the СAPP.
Davis, a Lafayette native, originally enrolled at his hometown СAPP in 2004 as a biology major. He excelled in his courses but felt he needed to pursue a different discipline. Davis transitioned from science to humanities, majoring in interpersonal communications.
СAPPI loved to speak. I enjoyed public speaking and interacting with people,СAPP Davis says. СAPPI made plans to become a communications consultant and walked to class each day knowing I had found my calling.СAPP
While Davis amassed credits across colleges, he also married and soon had a growing family.
СAPPIt got to the point that my family needed a different type of support СAPP they needed me financially. I had to make a choice to start providing, even though I was young,СAPP Davis says. СAPPSo I put my degree on hold.СAPP
DavisСAPP wife graduated from the СAPP in 2008 with a bachelorСAPPs in hospitality management. His brother also graduated from UL Lafayette while his sister earned her degree from the СAPP of Louisiana at Monroe.
He says his mom, who also had to prioritize her family over her degree, dreamed of seeing all three of her children graduate from college.
In 2018, she saw her dream realized.
Davis, 33, earned his Bachelor of General Studies from UL Lafayette after completing just two online courses from his Texas home.
СAPPWhen I came back it was to finish something that I started СAPP It wasnСAPPt required,СAPP he says. СAPPI already have a wonderful career, I own a home, my family is well-supported and I was happy.
СAPPI was at such a good place in my life, it was like, СAPPwhatСAPPs the next goal?СAPPСAPP
Then an old friend put him to task.
СAPPI said, СAPPI donСAPPt really need it,СAPP and she was like, СAPPItСAPPs not about needing it. It means more than that,СAPPСAPP Davis says.
Davis connected with UL LafayetteСAPPs СAPP College to find out how many credits he would need to earn a general studies degree.
СAPPI was right on track for a general studies bachelorСAPPs СAPP I was only two classes short,СAPP he says.
СAPPIt was some unfinished business. It was something for (my mom), something to show myself that I could do it, and something to show my children that even though things slow you down, you donСAPPt have to quit.СAPP
Davis says he completed his final semester at UL Lafayette with the support of his family, as well as СAPP faculty and staff.
СAPPThey went above and beyond what they needed to. It felt good to have someone that actually cared,СAPP Davis says. СAPPIt made you feel like not just another student СAPP that was the best part about it.СAPP
Davis says he didnСAPPt tell his mom he was getting his degree until he was certain.
СAPPI think I told her the week before the semester ended. I was like, СAPPI think I did it,СAPPСAPP he says.
He says he remembers pacing, refreshing the ULink page, waiting for his final grades. He remembers traveling with his wife and children from Texas back to his hometown so his parents could see him graduate. And he remembers the moment СAPP College Associate Dean Dr. Gail Bonhomme recognized him as one of the students sheСAPPd been guiding by phone and email, as she read his name aloud.
СAPPShe gave me the biggest hug,СAPP Davis says. СAPPEven though I was an online student, IСAPPm a Ragin' Cajun whether IСAPPm in Lafayette or San Antonio. And it felt that way. It felt like family.СAPP