Mother and daughter cross the finish line together as UofL graduates

On Sunday afternoons, Susan Martin would sit at her computer with a list of handwritten questions - how to upload an assignment to Blackboard, how to build a PowerPoint, how to record a video she never imagined making in her 80s. Across the table sat her daughter, Ramie Martin-Galijatovic, guiding her through the digital world of modern college coursework.

Those "Tech Sundays," as they came to be known, helped Martin reach graduation this May at age 81 and helped Martin-Galijatovic push through the final stretch of an equally demanding doctoral program.

This spring, the mother daughter pair will graduate from the University of Louisville, just one day apart. Martin will receive a bachelor of science in general studies from the College of Arts and Sciences, along with minors in business administration and humanities. Martin-Galijatovic will earn a doctor of social work from the Kent School of Social Work and Family Science. She also serves as director of faculty affairs at UofL and part-time faculty at the Kent School.

Their shared academic journey was unplanned but deeply connected.

Martin-Galijatovic returned to school first, enrolling in the doctoral program in fall 2022 during a period of major transition for their family. That year, Martin's husband and Martin-Galijatovic's father had died, prompting reflection. With her children grown and out of the house, Martin-Galijatovic decided it was finally time to pursue the degree.

"I always wanted to do this," Martin-Galijatovic said. "It was a very difficult program and difficult from the aspect of it was so long."

For Martin, watching her daughter navigate doctoral coursework encouraged her own journey.

"We talk a lot and you know, she would say, 'Oh I'm so busy. I'm just so under pressure and all that.' And I said, 'Look, you can do it. You're a smart girl, you're going to do it. There's no question about it, just stick to it.' And she did! I'm so proud of her."

In early 2023, Martin contacted UofL to ask whether returning to school was even possible. She has earned college credit from various universities over the years but never completed the path for a full degree.

The answer was yes.

With the help of academic advisors, Martin learned she needed only four additional courses to graduate. She completed most of them online, all except for one class on campus where Martin-Galijatovic, whose office was nearby, would meet her in the parking garage and walk her to class.

"I didn't know where to go and she would show me," Martin said. "Once I learned I could do it myself, I knew if I needed anything she was here to help me."

As Martin-Galijatovic balanced full-time work, leadership responsibilities and the final stages of her doctoral research, the motivation flowed both ways. When her energy faltered, she thought of her mother.

"Universities are so different than they were back even when I went to undergrad," she said. "So, I just kept thinking about my mom, if she can do this at the age of 81 and graduate, I certainly at the age of 57 can finish this program."

Martin-Galijatovic's hooding ceremony is scheduled for May 8 at the L&N Arena, followed by Martin's commencement May 9 at the KFC Yum! Center. With commencement weekend leading into Mother's Day, the achievements have blended into a large family celebration.

For both Susan and Ramie, the experience affirmed something they now say with certainty: At UofL, students of any age, at any stage of life, can succeed.

"We just went through it together," Martin said.

And together, they will celebrate the finish line they crossed side by side.