Grandma Graduates College With 3.8 GPA Alongside Granddaughter Who She Raised

We're file this one under: "Good News We All Need."

An Illinois grandmother and her granddaughter recently graduated from college--together!

Belinda Berry, 62, and Karea Berry, 25, both walked the stage at Chicago State University and received their degrees. Belinda received her degree in business administration and Karea's was in criminal justice. 

"We didn't know we were going to finish together because I was full time and she was part time. And it actually just worked out that way. I just say it was God's will,” Karea told FOX 32 Chicago.

The two women are extremely close given that Belinda raised Karea in their South Side apartment since she was just 2-years-old.

However, there were times when Karea, a mom of one child, wasn’t thrilled to run into her grandma on campus. 

“I was like, ‘Oh my God, no. My grandma is on campus yelling my name?’ She’d say ‘Don’t you have to be in class?’" she told PEOPLE. 

But within a few years, her attitude changed. “Just knowing she was there brightened my day,” she added. 

Belinda stressed that she raised Karea to value having an education and hopes that her story reminds others that it's "never too late" to follow your dreams. 

"I hope I am an inspiration to the young as well as the old, because it's never too late to pursue an education," she told the news station.

The ladies did more than pursue an education, THEY ACED IT! Fox 32 noted that Belinda graduated magna cum laude with a 3.8 GPA, only slightly better than her granddaughter's 3.4. The two say they had a "friendly competition" with one another.

Of course, the school couldn't be happier for their star students.  “It is as though family generations marching at the same time are becoming a kind of family tradition at Chicago State University,” Interim Chicago State University President Dr. Rachel W. Lindsey said in a statement. “I attribute these kinds of joyous family occurrences to the distinctive and essential nature of Chicago State which has long been a vital hub in the community."

Finally, Karea and Belinda want everyone to know that their journey for education isn't over. They both have their eyes set on grad school. 

Congrats ladies!