Déjà vu at OSU: Mother and son attend university together

Friday, October 7, 2005

For Christina Stallings and her son, Brendan, it’s “déjà vu" at Oklahoma State University.

Christina, an Oklahoma Department of Agriculture Food and Forestry educator, is back on campus after more than 20 years — at the same time that Brendan is working on his degree.

"I always hoped I would go back to school, but being on campus with one of my kids takes a little getting used to,” said Christina, now in her second year at OSU. “It is pretty cool though, sitting in the Hideaway with my son talking about the good old days."

After graduating from OSU with a bachelor’s degree in zoology in 1983, Christina always knew she wanted to return for graduate school. However, between work and raising three children, she never found the time. Following her husband's death in 2004, she decided it was time to fulfill her dream. She applied for admission in the Environmental Science Masters program at OSU.

Brendan was a senior at Putnam City High School and was applying to college at the same time. Both Christina and Brendan received acceptance letters from OSU on the same day. Brendan said he remembers thinking out loud, "That's great! I finally get to go away to college and my mom goes with me!"

In reality, Brendan, a theater sophomore, said having his mom around isn't that bad, though seeing her on campus for the first time was shocking.

Being back at OSU triggers memories for Christina. The campus is the same, but the people and student attitudes are completely different.

During her undergraduate years, the United States was in the middle of the Iranian hostage crisis, the Cold War was on everyone's minds and students were staging demonstrations on campus. She said it was a completely different time, and her memories and current experiences don't always match up.

"To put things in perspective, when I was a freshman in 1978, the Vietnam War had only been over for a few years, the U.S. had just celebrated its Bicentennial and ‘Space Invaders’ was all the rage,” Christina said. “Oh, and the Strip still had Streakers Night!"

Despite warnings and doubts from some of her friends, Christina said she's really enjoying being back in class and has had great instructors.

Brendan admits he likes it, too.

Best of all, they are both on track to graduate together with the class of 2008.

"Wouldn't it be great if we could walk across the graduation stage together?" Christina said.