Father-and-son grads share strong bond
Ken Levin, 83, decided to join Herschel, 20, to get an associate degree at LSC-CYFAIR; now they are on to Sam Houston State
Most parents simply watched the graduation ceremony from the sidelines.
But when 20-year-old Herschel Levin crossed the stage last month at Lone Star CollegeCyFair, his 83-year-old father Ken was right behind him.
After spending the last few years in classes together, the CyFair residents earned their associate degrees on May 10.
Ken Levin said it all began by driving his son to school.
Herschel started college at age 16 – and was not driving yet.
While Herschel was in class, Ken would sit in the student union.
“I talked to students every day — we covered everything from school problems to their love life,” he said.
His role as an unofficial advi- sor inspired Ken to take a few classes oncampus himself.
He first joined the college’s Academy for Lifelong Learning.
“It was fun, but once I had the taste, I wanted more,” Ken said.
He had completed his first two years of college in 1951 in the U.S. Armed Forces Institute, and later, enrolled in the University of Panama. After three years, he quit college to take care of his growing family.
Then, 30 years later, after a career in international banking, Ken received his associate degree in science from Houston Community College, where he met his second wife Judy Bluestein Levin.
The two were both working in the news industry.
“He would take photos, and I would write copy,” Judy said.
Judy and Herschel encouraged Ken to go back to school again — and finally Ken agreed.
Father and son met with campus counselors to determine a path that would allow them to graduate together.
“They laid out a pro- gram for both of us,” Ken said.
Judy helped both her husband and son remember when tests were scheduled and papers were due.
“It kept me on the go constantly,” she said. “I was the support staff for two people in school.”
They took most courses together.
Judy said she was surprised when Herschel, who is not a morning person, would enroll in an 8 a.m. class that his father wanted to take.
“I had a lot of proud moments,” she said. “How many teenagers do you know who would want their parents on campus, let alone in the same class?”
Herschel said he truly enjoyed spending the time with his father.
“It was a lot of fun,” Herschel said.
“I think I learned more from being in class with him.”
He said Ken was always supportive of his efforts.
“We weren’t competitive — however, I didn’t dare get a grade lower than him,” Herschel added with a laugh.
He also joked that it was nearly impossible to cut class when his dad was also enrolled in the same course.
Ken was proud of his son’s grades.
“He’s an honor student; I just made it through,” he said.
“He was ahead of me in every single class.”
When Herschel helped to found the Humanitarian Connection, a student club dedicated solely to community service in 2011, Ken helped.
Projects included joining forces with Junior Achievement and the National Council of Jewish Women to help children aging out of the foster system, assisting abused children through the nonprofit Stronger than Circumstances, raising money for adults with disabilities and supporting women’s shelters.
The Levins also took an acting class together and partnered in the dialogue assignment.
Standing next to his son on graduation day was an amazing experience, Ken said.
“When we went on the stage, Herschel was ahead of me,” Ken recalled.
“The students cheered and yelled his name.”
Ken knewthat Herschel would be a hard act to follow, but when his name was called, the reception was even louder.
“It was pandemonium,” Ken said. “All of my fellow students stood up, andthey were followedby the crowd in the auditorium. They all started stamping their feet. It was rather thrilling.”
Now the two plan to head to Sam Houston State University to further their studies. Ken hopes to become a history professor.
“I have personal experience of history, and our kids don’t knowa lot about history,” he said. “There are a lot of great stories to tell.”
Herschel would like to initially teach students with special needs and ultimately headto lawschool to become a constitutional attorney.