Senior year of college is filled with milestone moments; earning a class ring, finishing up final classes, and walking the stage at graduation. For two fathers who earned their degrees this spring, those moments carry an even deeper meaning.
Bradley Owen and John Cortinas took very different paths to graduation, but their journeys shared common challenges. Both balanced full-time jobs while pursuing degrees in business administration, proving that earning a college degree is rarely a one-size-fits-all experience. Through perseverance, dedication, and the support of their families, both graduates achieved goals in the making.
Bradley Owen
For Bradley Owen, graduation represented both an ending and a beginning.
“It feels like both the beginning and the end of a long journey, he said. “A task accomplished and an opportunity to do more.”
Bradley initially began college after finishing high school, but life took him in a different direction. He left school and joined the military, serving eight years before returning to complete his degree. While pursuing his education, he also worked full-time as a Revenue and Security Officer for Encore.
His decision to return to college was driven by a commitment to lifelong learning.
"I have taken the stance of being a lifelong student,” Bradley said. “The lifelong pursuit of knowledge and personal advancement.”
The Falcon Free program was a major factor in Bradley’s decision to attend UTPB. The program gave him the opportunity to earn a degree and advance his education by removing the burden of paying for college; allowing him to continue providing for his family.
As his college career progressed, Bradley became confident he made the right choice. Although he completed his degree entirely online, he still felt connected to the university community.
“Every time I was on campus, President Woodley and Dr. Spurlock made me feel like I belonged,” he said. “For an online student, they treated me like I belong and were incredibly welcoming. They truly see you.”
This spring, Bradley also earned is class ring, an achievement that carried special significance both personally and as a father.
“Earning my ring was monumental.” He said, “it represents a community that I belong to and wear with pride.”
John Cortinas
For John Cortinas, earning a degree was the result of a decade-long marathon.
Taking six credit hours at a time, John steadily worked toward his Bachelor of Business Administration over the course of ten years.
Choosing UTPB was an easy decision. Early in his career in the oil and gas industry, he was living and working in Odessa and wanted to gain a formal understanding of the field in which he was building his career. Located in the heart of the Permian Basin and as an accredited institution within The University of Texas System, UTPB stood out; especially because the degree program was offered completely online.
One of the biggest advantages of John’s learning experience was how quickly he could apply his coursework to his career. By being intentional with his studies and fully processing the information, he was able to succeed both in his coursework and in the workplace, advancing from account manager to Vice President of Sales and Operations.
“I looked at school differently,” John said. “I looked at each assignment and reading as an opportunity to take the material and digest it, then go and apply it tomorrow.”
Balancing school, a full-time career, and family life required discipline. John found that taking six credit hours per semester allowed him to make steady progress while remaining present for his wife and two daughters.
Throughout his educational journey, John hoped to lead his family by example.
“The fact that you are pushing yourself to be better shows your kids all of this is possible,” he said.
This spring, John also earned his class ring, an accomplishment he took great pride in as a tangible reminder of the time, perseverance, and commitment required to complete his degree.
“It is [a representation] of my own personal achievement,” he said. “I’ve invested so much time into this, and it was worth signifying that time into something I could wear.”
A Legacy Beyond Graduation
While Bradley and John followed different paths to graduation, both shared a common accomplishment; earning a degree while building careers and raising families. Their stories show that success is not always defined by a traditional timeline. Through persistence, sacrifice, and a commitment to personal growth, they achieved a goal that will impact their futures and their families.
For both graduates, commencement was more than a celebration of academic achievement. It was a powerful example for their children that dedication and perseverance can turn long-term goals into reality.
