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Grandmother, granddaughter graduate together from college

Graduation day was special for a grandmother and granddaughter at Chicago State University. Alex Wong/Getty Images

CHICAGO — For the first time in its 150-year history, Chicago State University awarded diplomas to a grandmother and granddaughter during the same ceremony, WLS reported.

Belinda Berry, 62, and Karea Berry, 25, both walked across the stage at the Jones Convocation Center on Thursday to accept their diplomas.

Grandma graduated at the top of her class with a 3.8 grade-point average in business. Her granddaughter Karea earned her bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, WLS reported.

Both plan to pursue their master’s degrees.

"It was never planned, we both enrolled in school and we didn't know we were going to finish together because I was full-time and she was part-time, and it just worked out that way," Karea Berry said.

Belinda Berry walked first, followed by Karea Berry.

"I have always stressed that education is power,” said Belinda Berry, who went back to school part-time to improve her employment prospects. “I am very honored to be a role model and I hope that I am an inspiration to the young as well as the old, because it is never too late to pursue an education.”