Mother and daughter share joint honours

It was double celebrations for mother and daughter Lynn Morse and Katy Gofton when they graduated from the University of Teesside. For they both received their degrees in the same ceremony at Middlesbrough Town Hall. They celebrated their achievements with Lynn’s husband and Katy’s father, Trevor Morse, watching from the audience, with Katy’s husband, Paul.

Lynn, 55, from Barnard Castle, County Durham, works as a staff nurse at Richardson Hospital in Barnard Castle. She graduated with a BSc Hons Promoting Practice Effectiveness (Care of Older People). Her two-year part-time degree was sponsored by the NHS.

Lynn said: “It was difficult to combine work and study and my time had to be managed to the letter. Things like housework, hobbies, socialising had to be tempered. However, in our final year I undertook an embroidery course just to balance the stress!

“Katy and I supported each other fully during our studies; we kept each other going, especially when one of us felt like throwing in the towel. We discussed everything thoroughly and both felt that we could not have done it without each other pushing each other on. The day of our graduation was one of the proudest moments of my life. It is amazing to think that despite working in such a stressful job, you can also complete a degree with your daughter. It was truly amazing.”

Daughter Katy, 35, from Marton, Middlesbrough, works as a Trainee Surgical Care Practitioner at The James Cook University Hospital, also in Middlesbrough. Katy graduated with a BSc (Hons) Promoting Practice Effectiveness (Critical Care). Again, this was a two-year part-time degree sponsored by the NHS.

Katy said: “Working full time and studying was manageable, but required dedication. Mam and I studied different specialist modules, but we supported and encouraged each other through them. It was useful to gain another perspective on your studies. With a research exam we got together and revised at home, with a glass of wine and did really well. It felt great to graduate on the same day as my Mam, I was really proud of her.”

Trevor Morse, 59, said: “It was absolutely fantastic to see my wife and daughter getting their degrees on the same day.  I shed the odd tear, twice.”

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