Husband and Wife Graduate Together from Albany State University

By: Rachel Lawrence

Westley and Precious Spears have much to celebrate, including twelve years of marriage and raising three children. The pair gained another accomplishment on Saturday, December 9, as they walked across the stage together and earned bachelor's degrees from Albany State University (ASU).

They have a shared history of starting and stopping past college endeavors that influenced their  decision to pursue higher education together. Determined to break the pattern, they consciously chose to embark on the academic journey hand in hand, vowing to see it through to completion. They made the choice during the pandemic, a meaningful decision to help them get through the challenging times. “This commitment to shared goals and aspirations has strengthened our bond as a couple, reinforcing the understanding that our individual successes contribute to the success of our partnership,” said Westley.

They described their time enrolled as a “labor of love,” from studying together to meticulously crafting a schedule that seamlessly blended the children's needs with their studies. “It was a delicate dance of sacrifice, where one of us readily stepped in to fulfill what the other couldn't.”

The pair identify as non-traditional students, working full-time jobs and managing other adult responsibilities. The couple were nervous about this, but those apprehensions were quickly dispelled after Westley’s first on-campus class. Westley describes ASU as a vibrant community that embraced him wholeheartedly. He felt welcomed by the younger students, and ASU made him feel at home.

“Engaging in conversations, valuing my opinions, and forming friendships transcended age differences, proving that the supportive environment at ASU goes beyond traditional labels. Albany State University played a crucial role in fostering a sense of belonging for us. The community's openness and acceptance created an atmosphere where we pursued our academic goals and thrived socially. The experience reinforced that education is not bound by age and that genuine connections can be formed across generational lines. Our time at ASU was not just an academic endeavor but a heartwarming journey of shared growth, love, and acceptance,” added Westley.

Their goal was to obtain bachelor’s degrees before their daughter graduated high school, and it was one they accomplished together. Westley earned a degree in political science, while Precious earned a degree in interdisciplinary studies. This isn’t the first time Precious has earned a degree from ASU, graduating in 2021 with an associate in criminal justice. Scholars committed to academic excellence, they both received honors during their time enrolled. Westley received an honors award for being the highest-ranked sophomore in political science, while Precious was a 2023 Gilman Scholar and Dean’s List recipient. They also took full advantage of the offerings at ASU, studying abroad in Ghana in the Summer of 2023.

They are the latest in their family to graduate from ASU, with the family legacy beginning with Westley’s great-uncle in 1958. Aunts, uncles, and sisters on both sides of the family have matriculated at ASU.

The pair said they will remember ASU fondly as a stepping stone for a brighter future. “Albany State will forever hold a special place in our hearts as the backdrop to this exhilarating chapter in our lives.”