Mother-daughter duo graduate together

Melody Pelham is a nurse, a mom, a student and a full-time caregiver for her dad. While she’s usually too busy to cry, this month, she’s shedding lots of happy tears. 

That’s because Melody and her daughter, Sarah Pelham, both of Alexandria, Alabama, are graduating from Auburn on the same day — a day that happens to fall on Mother’s Day weekend. 

“I can’t believe how our graduation has lined up,” Melody said. “This is the best gift ever and a dream come true to be an Auburn alumna.” 

Melody is graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from the College of Nursing’s RN to BSN program, while Sarah is graduating with a bachelor’s degree in accounting. As a high school senior, Sarah had always planned to attend Auburn, but the idea for Melody to enroll at the same time was a bit of a surprise.  

“I always knew I was going to get my BSN from somewhere,” Melody said. “But when we came to do the campus tour for Sarah, I just had that feeling; I knew I wanted to be a part of this.” 

An employee with the VA Health Care System in Birmingham, Alabama, Melody has worked in nursing for 30 years and loves caring for military veterans. She had always wanted to complete her BSN but was waiting until Sarah went away to college. Since she was working remotely as an RN case manager, she was able to complete Auburn’s program virtually, albeit with a few trips to campus to meet with advisors, attend nursing student events and, of course, visit with Sarah. 

But timing their academic programs so they would graduate together was never in the plans.  

“The RN to BSN program recommended beginning with two classes in the first semester, but I wasn’t sure if I could do it, so I only took one to start,” Melody said. “If I had started with two classes in the first semester like it was planned, I wouldn’t be graduating now.” 

And even though the program didn’t require much travel to campus, Melody still had plenty of hurdles to overcome, including an extremely difficult semester last fall.  

“I lost my mom in August and my grandmother in December,” she said. “There were many times when I just didn’t know how I was going to do it, but my advisors supported me, and I just kept going. 

“They were such strong women and would have been so proud, so it means everything that I’m graduating with Sarah on Mother’s Day weekend.”  

While Melody and Sarah have worked hard in school, they’ve also had some fun on campus together. A huge highlight for both was when their first-ever tailgate — a 21st birthday celebration for Sarah — was featured on the Jordan-Hare Stadium video board as “Tailgate of the week” during a football game. 

“I’d never even tailgated before,” Melody said. “We had a birthday-themed tailgate with a big sign, two TVs, a birthday cake, a living room area and so much food. And then we saw ourselves on the video board — for our first tailgate!”  

While that was their first and most memorable tailgate, it wasn’t their last; ever since then, they’ve tailgated at every home game.  

“Now, each game I have to up it,” Melody said. “I’m trying to win again. All the kids want their birthdays celebrated at the tailgate, so every tailgate’s been a birthday theme.”  

Sarah, who will begin Auburn’s Master of Accountancy program in the Harbert College of Business immediately upon graduating, said her mom is an inspiration.  

“It’s been great, I love when she gets to come to campus, and the fact that she has professors here is awesome,” she said. “I’m shocked at how much she does; she has work and school and takes care of so many people.  

“I don’t know how she does everything. She has superpowers.” 

For her part, Melody said she’s incredibly proud of Sarah and is grateful and moved to be graduating on the same day as her daughter.  

“I thought that was my ‘bucket list’ moment being on the video board,” she said, “but this might top it.”