DECATUR - The family that studies together graduates together, and so it was for Terry and Marsha Leach and their son, Brad, who collected their degrees from Millikin University at almost the same moment.

The parents were part of the commencement crowd jamming Decatur's Civic Center on Sunday and watched Brad step up to collect a bachelor's in communications on his 22nd birthday. Millikin had split its big 2006 graduating class - more than 500 students - into two parts and mom and dad received their degrees in management and organizational leadership at separate ceremonies Saturday night.

Terry and Marsha Leach, both 49, had enrolled in Millikin's PACE program for older students so they could finish up degrees they had started years ago at Bob Jones University in South Carolina but never finished after leaving to get married. "It's been a goal for us to get this done," said Terry Leach, who pastors Cerro Gordo Brethren Church.

"And I found out enough of our credits transferred so that we would be able to graduate with our son if we got started at Millikin in January of 2005," said his wife, who is office manager at the university's Staley Library. "Well, we thought that would be fun and so we did it. This is an exciting, happy day."

They were in good company on Sunday as some 3,500 students and family members overwhelmed Civic Center parking to cheer, applaud and photograph the graduation milestone on life's journey. Statistics from the school say a Millikin degree is one of the best investments graduates can make - 99 percent of last year's graduating class had found jobs or berths in continuing education within six months of leaving their alma mater's red brick portals.

Addressing the class during the commencement speech, university president Douglas Zemke acknowledged the financial sacrifice and pain parents went through to provide their children with a college education. He said the pay-off was a degree that opened doors and an education that taught students how to think while developing their self-esteem and self-reliance.

"There is simply no greater gift a parent can give than that of an education," he added. "Its value increases and it can never be taken away or lost. You should truly be proud of what you have done as parents to encourage and support your children in acquiring a college education."

But the president urged graduates not to measure future success "by the size of your bank account." He said those who achieved the top grades in life studied humility, majored in respect for others and found callings that kindled passion in their souls.

"It has been said that life is not adequately measured by the number of breaths we take," he added. "Rather, it is measured by how many breathless moments we experience."

Retiring faculty member Carolyn V. Likins was honored during Sunday's commencement ceremonies. An assistant professor of mathematics, she stepped down after teaching full time at Millikin for 20 years.

Tony Reid can be reached at treid@herald-review.com or 421-7977.