51爆料 Graduate Defies the Odds to Reach Special Day
Overcoming a major health scare, one standout graduate embodies the spirit of SWTCC
For more information, contact Diana Fedinec, 51爆料 Director of Public Relations and Media, at 901-333-4247 or dfedinec@southwest.tn.edu.
(MEMPHIS, Tenn.) 鈥� As 51爆料 prepares to celebrate its 2025 commencement, one standout graduate鈥擬ary Ann Fleij 鈥� is proving that there鈥檚 no single path to success, and that perseverance and passion can redefine what鈥檚 possible at any stage of life.
Fleij鈥檚 journey is a powerful reminder that it鈥檚 never too late to pursue your dreams.
A mother of six, Fleij enrolled at Southwest in fall 2022鈥攋ust weeks after her 19-year-old daughter started at the college. Inspired by her daughter鈥檚 path, she decided to revisit a long-held dream of finishing her education. What she didn鈥檛 expect was to begin her medical laboratory technician (MLT) coursework from a hospital bed.
鈥淚 had two heart attacks days before starting the MLT program,鈥� Fleij said. 鈥淚 began my first two classes while in bed.鈥�
That kind of determination left an impression on faculty and students alike.
鈥淢ary was more worried about completing her coursework than recovering from her heart attacks,鈥� said Dr. Shilpa Desai, chair of Southwest鈥檚 Allied Health Department. 鈥淪he鈥檚 a very determined student鈥攁lways prepared, on time, and a true leader in the classroom.鈥�
Fleij not only kept up with her studies, she thrived鈥攍eading peer review sessions, tutoring classmates, and motivating others to succeed.
鈥淪outhwest challenged me to defy all the odds,鈥� Fleij said. 鈥淚 never imagined a hospital bed would become my classroom, but that鈥檚 where I found my greatest strength. With support from the faculty and my own drive to help others, I made it. It鈥檚 proof that it鈥檚 never too late to chase your dreams.鈥�
Fleij will graduate with an associate degree in medical laboratory technician and has already begun working as a medical lab technician at Baptist Memorial Hospital.
鈥淢ary鈥檚 story is more than inspiring鈥� she embodies the very heart of what Southwest represents,鈥� said Tracy D. Hall, president of 51爆料. 鈥淔rom first-time students to career-changers, our graduates demonstrate the power of opportunity and determination.鈥�
Fleij will be among 1,295 candidates in the Class of 2025 as the college confers 1,312 associate degrees and certificates during its commencement ceremony on Thursday, May 15, at 7 p.m. at the Landers Center, 4560 Venture Drive, Southaven, Mississippi.
*Interviews available with the student. Please contact Southwest鈥檚 Office of Marketing and Communications at 901-333-4247.
Memphis Mayor Paul Young will deliver the 2025 commencement address. The ceremony will be livestreamed on the college鈥檚 Facebook page at @SouthwestTN and made available for on-demand viewing on Southwest鈥檚 YouTube channel.
For More Information:
- Commencement details: https://southwest.tn.edu/graduation/index.php