NASHVILLE, Tenn. (TSU News Service) – When Tennessee State University holds its spring commencement on May 1 and 2, nearly 1,400 students will go across the stage to receive their degrees. Among them, three graduates share more than just a commitment to higher education – they share a last name, a household, and a lifelong bond of mutual inspiration.
Delilah Rhodes and her two children, Eric Lee and Gabrielle Lee, will all receive their graduate degrees during the same ceremony, marking an emotional milestone for the Nashville family.
For Delilah Rhodes, a professional with the Nashville Metro Planning Commission, the path to her Master of Professional Studies (MPS) in Human Resource Management was a journey of resilience. “Earning a bachelor’s degree was always a dream of mine, but life happened,” Rhodes said. “When I had my son in 1998 and my daughter in 2000, my focus shifted to providing for them and making sure they had every opportunity to succeed.”
After earning an associate degree from Nashville State and her bachelor’s from Trevecca University, Rhodes realized she wanted to set a new standard for her family. “I wanted to break a generational mindset that a high school diploma was enough and show my children what was truly possible,” she said.
That determination wasn’t lost on her children. Both Eric and Gabrielle are TSU alumni who chose to return to their alma mater for their graduate studies. Eric Lee, who works for Aegis in human resources, will receive his MBA in Finance, while Gabrielle Lee, a logistics professional at Amazon, will receive her MBA in Information Systems.
For Eric, the journey was about finding his own rhythm by watching his mother’s work ethic. “School wasn’t always something I was passionate about, but witnessing that determination inspired me to keep going, even when it wasn’t easy,” Eric said. “Being able to graduate alongside my mom and my sister feels like the perfect culmination of a journey we’ve all shared.”
The significance of the moment is not lost on Gabrielle, who notes the rarity of a triple-family graduation. “It doesn’t happen every day that you get to graduate alongside your mom,” Gabrielle said. “Realizing I’ll be stepping into the classroom to teach, just like my mom, makes it even more meaningful. It feels like everything has come full circle.”
While the family didn’t originally set out to graduate in the same semester, Rhodes believes it was a product of “determination, faith, and a shared commitment.” As they prepare to walk the stage at TSU, she hopes their story serves as a beacon for other families in the Nashville community.
“This experience has shown my children, and now the next generation, that higher education isn’t a burden, it’s a privilege,” Rhodes said. “No matter when you start, you can finish. And when you do, it’s something no one can ever take away from you.”
NOTE:
Tennessee State University’s Spring 2026 commencement ceremonies will take place over two days, May 1-2, in the Gentry Center Complex. This year, the university will honor nearly 1,400 graduates, its largest class in several years, comprising around 200 graduate students and approximately 1,200 undergraduates across diverse disciplines.
For more information in TSU Spring Commencement, visit www.tnstate.edu/records/commencement/
About Tennessee State University
Founded in 1912, Tennessee State University is Nashville’s only public land-grant university offering 41 bachelor’s degrees, 15 graduate certificates, 27 master’s degrees, and nine doctoral degrees. TSU’s campus spans 500 acres. The university is committed to academic excellence, providing students with a quality education in a nurturing and innovative environment that prepares them as alumni to be global leaders. Visit tnstate.edu for more details.
