Stories from the stage: A family affair
Commencement rightly is a family affair, which is why I especially was delighted to be present at the Honors College ceremony last month to witness this moment between new graduate Brianna Roberts and her mom, Kim Kline.

Brianna was one of nearly 3,000 bachelor’s students who graduated this semester, and Kim is both a faculty and staff member at UTSA, serving as associate professor of communication and assistant vice provost for assessment.
It should be noted that sociology professor Derral Cheatwood actually was Brianna’s honors thesis advisor, but he graciously surrendered his final duties to Kim so that she could hood Brianna onstage.
“I’m a proud momma, and also a proud Roadrunner,” says Kim. Indeed she is: Kim always is quick to point out the numerous enrichment opportunities that were available to Brianna as a UTSA student, such as participating in the Archer Fellowship Program and the Summer Law School Preparation Academy.
It also deserves mention that Brianna was among the first graduating class of the university’s new Multidisciplinary Studies degree program. Brianna’s an exceptional representative of the program — a high-achieving student with varied interests.
Five Multidisciplinary Studies graduates walked the stage in May and another eight are set to finish their degrees this summer. It’s wonderful to see how this new program, in only its first year, already is filling an unmet need for our students.
Congratulations, Brianna! (And you, too, Kim!)
THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT SAN ANTONIO



