Mother and son graduate from Fresno State journalism program

Matthew Tatum is finishing up his senior year at Fresno State. He will be graduating with a bachelor’s degree in Mass Communication and Journalism.

“I can’t wait to graduate this semester,” said Tatum. “It’s been a long time coming. I started college in Fall 2017 at Clovis Community College.”

Tatum has a passion for sports and would love to use his degree to pursue his dream job.

“Working for ESPN or Fox Sports. Be like one of the play-by-play casters for the NFL or the NBA,” said Tatum.

Tatum is just like any other senior at Fresno State, counting the days until graduation. However, there is one thing that stands out about him; he shares a classroom with his mother, Janis.

“He met with his advisor and they said ‘Matthew, you are very close to graduating [at] the same time your mom is. You should work hard to do that.’ And he has worked hard to make that happen. So it’ll be really exciting to have us receive our diploma on the same day,” said Janis.

A mother always looks after their child, even when they are in the same exact class.

“I have had to pull back and stop mothering him and let him do his own thing, which has been hard for me, but I think I have been successful at that,” said Janis.

Attending college together and graduating the same day is a moment Matthew and Janis will forever cherish. They will both be receiving their diplomas on May 19 at noon. The Tatum family will be there to celebrate them both.