From Summa Cum Laude to Penn: A Proud Lolo’s Reflection on the Next Generation

There are moments in a grandparent’s life when words like proud do not seem quite enough.

This is one of those moments for me. My granddaughter, Carenna Katague-Thompson, graduated this past May from The George Washington UniversitySumma Cum Laude. She earned her Bachelor of Science from the Elliott School of International Affairs, with a double major in Geography and a minor in Geographic Information Systems (GIS).

As her Lolo, I could not be more proud of what she has accomplished.

But what makes this moment even more special is that Carenna is not stopping here.

This week, she is beginning her Master's degree at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia.

Watching a grandchild move from one important chapter of her education into another gives me an opportunity to reflect on what education has meant in my own life.

Education Has Always Been Important to Me

I grew up in a small town in Iloilo, Philippines, at a time when opportunities were very different from what young people have today.

My own educational journey eventually took me from the Philippines to the United States, where I earned my Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Chemistry from the University of Illinois Medical Center in Chicago.

Education opened doors for me that I could hardly have imagined when I was growing up in Barotac Viejo.

It gave me the opportunity to become a scientist, a teacher, a researcher, and eventually an FDA review chemist and team leader.

Looking back, I have always believed that one of the greatest gifts we can give our children and grandchildren is not money or material possessions, but the encouragement to learn and the opportunity to pursue an education.

Carenna's Achievement Makes Me Proud

When I look at Carenna's accomplishments, I see more than impressive academic credentials.

Graduating Summa Cum Laude tells me something about her discipline, perseverance, and commitment to excellence.

A double major in Geography and a minor in Geographic Information Systems also tell me that she has chosen fields that can help her understand our increasingly interconnected world.

Geography today is much more than studying maps. Combined with GIS, it can help us understand population movement, cities, the environment, resources, international development, and many of the complex challenges facing societies around the world.

And now she is taking another important step by beginning her graduate studies at the University of Pennsylvania.

As I think about her journey, I find myself asking the same question I have asked throughout my own life:

Where will education take her next? I don't know the answer. I hope she gets a job near me after her Master's Degree.  

And perhaps that is one of the most exciting things about being young.

From One Generation to Another

One of the beautiful things about being a grandfather is watching the next generation go places that you never had the opportunity to go.

I came to America in 1960 as a young Filipino immigrant.

Today, one of my grandchildren is beginning graduate studies at one of America's great universities.

That thought does not make me feel old. Instead, it makes me feel grateful.

Our lives are connected across generations. The sacrifices and opportunities of one generation become the foundation upon which the next generation builds.

My parents gave me the foundation to pursue education.

My wife Macrine and I tried to do the same for our children.

And now it is wonderful to watch our children and grandchildren build their own futures.

What I Hope for Carenna

As Carenna begins this new chapter at Penn, I hope she remembers that education is not simply about earning degrees.

A degree is important, but what we do with our knowledge is even more important.

I hope she remains curious. I hope she continues to ask questions.

I hope she uses her education not only to advance her own career but also to make a difference in the lives of others.

And most of all, I hope she enjoys the journey and be happy.

Life has taught me that success is not always measured by titles, degrees, salaries, or accomplishments.

Sometimes success is simply becoming the best person we can be and using whatever talents we have been given to help others.

A Proud Lolo

At 91, I have had the privilege of watching several generations of my family grow.

I am now a great-grandfather, or as I like to say, a Super LOLO and Apo sa Tuhod.

I have six grandchildren and two great-grandsons, and each one gives me a different reason to be thankful.

But today, this post is about Carenna. Carenna, congratulations on graduating Summa Cum Laude from George Washington University.

And congratulations on beginning your Master's journey at the University of Pennsylvania.

Your Lolo is very proud of you. You have already accomplished much, but I have a feeling that this is only the beginning.

Go to Philadelphia, learn as much as you can, meet people from different backgrounds, challenge yourself, and continue to dream.

And remember something your Lolo has learned over a lifetime:

Education may open the door, but character, perseverance, curiosity, and compassion determine where that door will lead you.

I cannot wait to see where your journey takes you.

Congratulations, Carenna. Your Lolo is cheering for you from California!

And to my readers around the world, especially my fellow seniors: perhaps one of the greatest joys of growing older is realizing that our story does not end with us.

We live on through the dreams, accomplishments, and possibilities of the generations that follow us.