Jen and Parker Jabas, a mother and son from Alexandria, Minnesota, are scheduled to graduate their respectrve degree programs at the 2 p.m. NDSU commencement ceremony on Saturday, May 13 at the Fargodome.

It’s a coincidence that Jen and Parker Jabas are graduating together from NDSU. The mother and son from Alexandria, Minnesota, are both set to graduate at the 2 p.m. commencement ceremony on Saturday, May 13.

Jen will be graduating with her master’s of business administration; Parker will graduate with his bachelor’s degree in finance.

“When I first came to NDSU, I was not expecting to graduate with my mom,” Parker said. The duo only realized in their last few semesters that they would participate in the same commencement ceremony.

Jen and Parker both are graduating from NDSU’s College of Business. While they didn’t share any classes, they said they often discussed the concepts and ideas covered in class together. They said it offered them a different perspective on what they were learning in the classroom.

“I think it challenged our thinking,” Jen said. “Maybe we challenged each other a few more times than we thought we would. But I think we both came out seeing things through a different perspective. That’s what it’s all about.”

This spring will be Jen’s second graduation from NDSU. She graduated in 2000 with her undergraduate degree in psychology and sociology.

Returning to higher education and getting her master’s degree always was something Jen wanted to do. In 2020, NDSU offered the flexibility she needed while working full-time to pursue an advanced degree with the MBA program. Jen currently is the executive director of the United Way of Douglas and Pope Counties.

“I always knew I was going back to school. It wasn’t either of my kids that prompted that, it was really timing,” Jen said. “NDSU really offered this wonderful opportunity for those of us who were working full-time but wanted to continue to be life-long learners to come back and do that in a virtual platform.”

Jen was aware of NDSU’s high caliber of education from her previous experience. The groundbreaking research being conducted at NDSU, she said, also ensured her classroom knowledge always would be the latest information available in the industry.

“It was an obvious choice,” Jen said. “There was no other direction I would go.”

When initially choosing NDSU, Parker said, his mom attending the same institution 20 years earlier was a factor, but not the reason. It was the NDSU community that ultimately made his decision.

“I chose NDSU because, when I was touring other universities, it didn’t quite feel right,” he said. “When I visited NDSU, I instantly felt at home walking around campus. The size of it was perfect and the Fargo-Moorhead area was also a great place for a lot of opportunities.”

“I think the cool part about what Parker just said is, I still feel that way on campus,” Jen said. “I come back to see my kids and it just brings back all those memories. I’m excited for them to make those memories and share those with their kids in the future.”

Parker said his favorite memories of NDSU were of his classmates, professors, peers and the activities he participated in. Jen said some of her favorite memories and experiences at NDSU have involved her kids. Jen’s younger son is an NDSU sophomore.

“I think that I’m living more through their memories than I was through mine,” Jen said. “I’m going to more Bison games than I ever did when I was a student because I’ve got a marching band kid. I’m coming back for performances and awards. And just hearing all the stories. I’m just so proud of my kids. And happy to be here with them.”

While unexpected, both are excited to graduate and walk the commencement stage together.

“I’m excited to cross that finish line,” Parker said. “It’s been a long journey, but the hard work was worth it. Crossing the stage with my mom is important for me, too. I know how important life-long learning is to her. It’s very exciting for me that she got the opportunity to come back and further her education. I’m very proud as a son.”

Jen’s proud of Parker, too.

“I know he has big things ahead of him,” Jen said. “I’m just excited to see how that future will unfold for him. He’s not my little boy anymore, literally, because he’s surpassed me by about a foot. He’s certainly an amazing young man and I’m really proud of him. I think my favorite memory that’s in the making is being an NDSU mom.”

Read more commencement stories at ndsu.edu/experience.