Operation Military Commencement Surprise

Nursing student hugs her father

Krislyn Perkins, an R.N. to BSN nursing student, prepared for the excitement of crossing the stage to mark the end of her hard work to achieve her degree from the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center (TTUHSC) School of Nursing. Before the ceremony, Perkins received an unexpected surprise with a special videotaped message from her father, U.S. Army Captain Andrew “Beau” Baer, who was deployed and could not be there in person.
 
Perkins stood on the stage with TTUHSC President Tedd L. Mitchell and School of Nursing Dean Michael Evans, and was emotional as she watched her father’s heartfelt message on the large screen.
 
“I miss my Dad everyday,” Perkins said. “I wasn’t expecting him to be able to be here for my graduation.”
 
Perkins then spotted her father as he walked across the arena up the red carpet. The commencement audience with other graduate family and friends gave him a well-deserved applause as he ran up to the stage to give his daughter a huge hug.
 
Baer had been completing training in Puerto Rico for months. He was scheduled to leave for Fort Hood before deploying to Central America for another 9 months. Baer requested time from his commander to allow him to leave early to make it to his daughter’s graduation and then head back.
 
“I am so very proud of Krislyn,” Baer said. “She has overcome so much working full time, being an amazing mom to two boys, and then going to school and now finishing her degree.”
 
Perkins, who works as a charge nurse, said she wants to set a great example for her sons, 2 year-old River and 12 year-old Kyler.
 
“I want to show them you can get an education at any age,” Perkins said. “I want to be best role model for them.”
 
Baer has served In the Army Reserves for more than 15 years. He has served in Panama, Belize, and Afghanistan and many other locations. 
 
“The toughest part of my service is missing out on family milestone events like these through the years,” Baer said. “So to be here and surprise her meant the world to me. We are so thankful to everyone.”

Image Gallery

 

Related Stories

Willed Body Memorial Service Honors Those Who Donated

On Memorial Day each May, a service is conducted at the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center Institute of Anatomical Sciences to pay respect to the Willed Body Program donors and their families.

Molecular Pathology Preceptorship: Unmatched Value and Experience

Ericka Hendrix, PhD, MB(ASCP)CM, Program Director and Associate Professor in the Master of Science in Molecular Pathology program in the School of Health Professions spoke about the program’s preceptorship.

Moseley Named Permian Basin Regional Dean of the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Nursing

Kelly Moseley, DHSc, R.N., has been named the TTUHSC School of Nursing regional dean in the Permian Basin.

Recent Stories

Research

TTUHSC Researchers to Study Gene’s Role in Prostate Cancer Metastasis

With support from a three-year, $1.85 million grant, Srinivas Nandana, Ph.D., and co-investigator Manisha Tripathi, Ph.D., from the Department of Cell Biology and Biochemistry at the TTUHSC School of Medicine will investigate the role of TBX2.

Education

TTUHSC Professor and Surgeon Receives National Award

The American Burn Association (ABA) recently presented the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award to TTUHSC professor and burn surgeon John A. Griswold, M.D.

Research

TTUHSC Researcher Receives National Award

The AACR presented its Minority-Serving Institution Faculty Scholar in Cancer Research Award to TTUHSC Associate Professor Duke Appiah, Ph.D., MPH, at the AACR 2025 Annual Meeting in Chicago recently.