What a Mother’s Day! Mom and Son Graduate from
La Salle University Together

For four courses at La Salle University, James Emme had a back-up plan: his mother Margaret took those same classes. If he “slacked off,” he knew he could catch up “because my mom took really good notes,” he said. They also shared another distinction at La Salle: members of the class of 2008.

James received a B.A. in Accounting and Margaret received an Associate’s Degree in General Studies (and she’s started taking classes to earn her B.A.).

Of the four classes mother and son took together at La Salle, Margaret Emme said that biology class was the most enjoyable.

“His fraternity brothers were in there, too,” she said. They were James’ roommates on campus, and Margaret knew them because they lived in the same neighborhood and went to Father Judge High School.

Margaret Emme had been working at La Salle for two years as administrative assistant to the Vice President for Enrollment Services when her son enrolled. She said her decision to earn a degree came when she had to take a pay cut at a previous job because she didn’t have a degree, even though she was doing the same work as coworkers with a degree.

“The degree is a way to open doors that won’t open,” she said.

For one of their classes together, mother and son were joined by their daughter/sister, Jaime Emme, who graduated from La Salle in 2006 with B.A. in psychology.

“It was certainly interesting, seeing a different side of both of them,” said James, “such as when they had to talk in front of the class. At home they’re always yelling at me, but I’m sure they had the same thoughts about me when I went before the class.”

He also saw another side of her at her office.

“I saw her do things I would not expect her to know,” he said. “She was doing stuff with Power Point and Excel. She picked it up really quick.”

Margaret was hoping that she and James would be able to graduate together. She was concerned that graduation was as much his day as it would be hers, but he wanted her to share it with him, too.

“I’m really proud of her,” he added. “I don’t know how she did it, working full-time and taking classes at night.” 

Mother and son plan to sit next to each other at Commencement. They’ll be joined by Margaret’s mother, Marita Walsh, who 25 years ago watched Margaret’s brother, Brian Walsh, graduate from La Salle.
Last month, James was nominated for the Dennis Dougherty Memorial Award, given to a La Salle student who shows leadership in fraternity or sorority life.

As Margaret listened to the presenter’s description of the winner, she recognized that it was James he was talking about, and she began to cry.

At La Salle, James was president of his fraternity, Delta Sigma Phi, for two consecutive years (the first brother to accomplish that since the fraternity started at La Salle in 1998). He was also a member of the University’s Funding Board, student government, and played for the La Salle lacrosse club for two years. He has a 3.41 GPA.

This past year, James Emme has been the coach of the freshman lacrosse team at Father Judge. “Coaching is something I always wanted to get into, and this was a chance to do it before I started working,” he said.  1983- your mother; marita walsh; 25;

Last summer, James Emme had an internship with the Philadelphia office of the accounting firm KPMG, and was offered a job there that he’ll start in September.

Margaret Emme will be taking courses this summer at La Salle, and hopes to earn her B.A. in three years. But May 11th will be a very special day for her.

“It is truly a dream come true.  I could not think of a better way to celebrate Mother's Day than sharing in my son's graduation,” said Emme.  “This was his graduation date from the start and he stayed on track.  I was the one that took a break for a couple of years and then had to struggle to catch up, but I could not have done it without him.  It actually would have been a lot easier on me to wait till December, 2008 or even May, 2009, but once he said the he did not mind sharing his day, it gave me a goal to strive for, and now it is our graduation.”