May 17 is going to be a big day in the Leggett household thanks to some family tenacity and clever timing.
Jack Leggett and his mother Karla Leggett, both of Oshkosh, will both earn degrees from the University of Wisconsin–Oshkosh during 2025 Spring Commencement.
Jack is getting his bachelor’s degrees in Anthropology and Spanish in UWO’s morning Commencement ceremony. Karla is earning her Doctor of Education–Educational Leadership and Policy in the afternoon festivities.
“As an adult learner, it took me this long to decide to do it, and it’s special that the timing lined up with my youngest from the same university,” Karla said. “It’s really exciting. I’m so delighted.”
Jack was poised to cross the graduation stage first in 2024. However, last year, “he decided he wanted to add on the forensic science piece,” Karla said. The pursuit of that extra bit of education lined mom and son up to graduate together this spring (albeit just a few hours apart).
“She has just always been very supportive of any education I wanted to pursue,” Jack said. “I got to see her as a teacher throughout most of my adolescent, developing years. Seeing her impart all this wisdom onto others was inspiring to me.”
Degrees in hand, goals in view
Karla and Jack Leggett in their Commencement regalia.
Karla Leggett currently works for the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction as an education consultant in early literacy. She earned her master’s degree from UWO as a reading specialist. She previously served as a lecturer in UWO’s Center for Reading Engagement and Academic Development and spent her last three years pursuing the UWO Ed.D. leadership and policy with an eye on becoming an assistant professor.
She cites encouragement from UWO’s Joshua Garrison, professor and associate vice chancellor, Faculty and Academic Staff Affairs, and program support in customizing her educational path for getting her to her next graduation. After looking at other programs, Karla said she was proud and excited to keep her pursuit of the Ed.D. local.
Graduating with Jack was a joyful bonus. In the end, their educational timelines lined up.
“I am so excited for him, and I feel slightly bad because I don’t want to take the spotlight off him as he graduates either,” Karla said. “It just turned out the way it did.”
Jack doesn’t see any shadows at all. In fact, it is his mom’s determination that is inspiring his next step—pursuit of a graduate degree in forensic sciences at East Carolina University later this year.
“Part of it was seeing my mom be successful in what she’s done,” he said. “(My parents) always instilled in me an expectation to at least get my college degree. They never forced me to say what that might be in…. (Forensic Science) has always been something I’ve wanted, and, with what I’m doing now, I need minimally a bachelor’s if not an advanced degree in this field.”
Keeping it local still unveiled world of experiences
Not lost on mom and son is the fact they both pursued and achieved this milestone in their educations in their hometown, the city that Jack and his sister were raised in.
Jack said there was value in maintaining connections and work opportunities while still exploring a rich, unique and life-changing education within his K-12 school district’s bounds.
Physically, UWO is miles from the Leggetts’ house. Experientially, his close-to-home UWO experience opened up an entirely new world of education and opportunity.
“When I was first applying to colleges, UWO was on the back of my mind,” he said. “… But I’m so glad I did stay here. I think you can get an excellent education here and sometimes even better than a lot of other schools… I get to see my parents. For a lot of kids, that’s not a regular thing. I keep a job with people whom I’ve known for a while, some my whole life. I think there’s value in that.”
Jack gets high marks from his forensic science program lead and UWO mentor, Associate Professor Jordan Karsten.
“Jack is honestly one of the best students I’ve had in my 11 years at UWO,” Karsten said. “His knowledge of forensic anthropology and his experience in casework is incredible for an individual graduating with a bachelor’s degree. He has personally assisted dozens of jurisdictions throughout Wisconsin on death investigations, both in the field and through his laboratory analysis. I cannot wait to see how his career develops in the coming years, and I look forward to being his colleague.”
Toasting two UWO grads
The Leggetts said extended family will be at Commencement and help celebrate their special day after a full day at Kolf Sports Center, which will welcome thousands of graduate and families on May 17.
Jack said he looks forward to the chance to celebrate his mom. Karla said same for her son. But Jack said he is particularly keen on joining the family in raising a glass to mom after she spent so many years celebrating her kids.
“I’m going to have to convince her to drink a glass of wine for once,” he said.
Learn more: