ORLANDO, Fla. – An Army veteran surprised his daughter Saturday morning when he showed up to his daughter's graduation in Orlando and received his own degree during the ceremony, university officials said.
Harty Herbert's daughter, Passion, was set to receive her Bachelor of Science in business and management from DeVry University when the surprise took place at the Orange County Convention Center. She had no idea that her father had earned a degree of his own.
Herbert, who lives in Las Vegas and was set to receive his master's degree in public administration from the university's school of management, said he traveled to Orlando to not only support his daughter, who is also an Army veteran, but surprise her with his own accomplishment by walking across the stage during the same ceremony.
University officials said Herbert earned his bachelor's degree after he retired from the Army in 2001. Herbert said he wanted to show Passion, as well as his other two children, the importance of having an education.
Herbert serves as a manager of military and veteran affairs at the university.
In addition to their military experiences, the pair now share another father-daughter bond.