U of I Dad Watches Graduation From Kuwait

URBANA - Graduation day was bittersweet for one student today. Lauren Thorbjornsen's dad couldn't be at her graduation today because he's serving with the U-U Army in Kuwait. Thanks to technology he was there and Lauren says she's glad her dad got to see her on her big day.

She says, “Most people think that when people are deployed they think that it's only little children they’re missing out on. I’m 22 and my dad's missing out on a huge milestone in my life and now he gets to see it and share it with me even though he can't actually be here.” Lauren's dad watched the ceremony online.

Lauren says short of being there with her, watching via Internet is a close second. Lauren says, “I know it was really hard for him to not be here. He really wanted to be here and this was the second best thing for him to do.”

Lauren's mom Diane says she knows her husband's face lit up halfway around the globe because he got to see his little girl walk across that stage. She adds, “It meant a lot to him to be able to see her and to see it while it was happening. I think he'll probably try to see it again and again on the Internet. “

Lauren graduated from the school of communication. She says her dad is expected home in July.