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A Degree They Earned Together

Mother and daughter Linda and Becca Hearn will cross Jax State's commencement stage side by side as they complete their MBAs

by Brett Buckner

Jacksonville, AL (12/10/2025) — It wasn't so much a request as a challenge. But Linda Hearn knew better than to deny her daughter, Becca-especially when it would ultimately benefit them both.

As a result, Linda and Becca Hearn will receive their Master of Business Administration (MBA) degrees together during Jacksonville State University's 2 p.m. graduation ceremony on Thursday at Pete Mathews Coliseum.

"I knew she couldn't say no," Becca said, laughing. "But that's kind of how our relationship is. I'll decide to do something, and then I will make her do it with me. This was our adventure together."

Linda, who has spent more than 30 years at the Calhoun County Chamber of Commerce and is currently serving as executive director, had long considered returning to Jax State for her MBA. But it took Becca's prodding for her to finally take the leap. When she did, it was with both feet.

"It was an eye-opening experience, and I obviously didn't take it lightly," Linda said. "It was difficult but very rewarding."

Having graduated from the University of Arkansas in 1989 with a degree in marketing, Linda's initial concern was simply getting everything aligned so she could begin the program.

"I was mostly worried about my transcript," she said. "I mean, that was so long ago, it made me nervous. But it did. Everything transferred over, and we got started."

From the start, it was clear that mother and daughter had vastly different approaches to their assignments. Much of it was a generational divide. For instance, Linda didn't own a personal laptop until she enrolled in the program. Recognizing her inevitable struggles, Linda's husband, Dr. Mark Hearn, associate dean of Jax State's College of Business and Industry, bought her one. But it didn't stop Linda from taking the "old-fashioned" approach to studying. She purchased hard copies of every textbook, highlighting everything and taking notes in actual spiral notebooks.

"I printed everything," Linda said.

Becca knew she had certain advantages in the classroom setting, which was completely online. But her mom brought something Becca didn't.

"It was a little unfair at first, I didn't have any time off from school," said Becca, who graduated from Furman University with a psychology degree. "I was used to school and the way that classes go, the structure of a class and online testing and everything. My brain was still in that mode. But I didn't have a 34-year career in business. My mom does."

Linda confessed it took some time to get back into the swing of things. Plus, she was working on her master's degree while maintaining a full-time job, leading to a lot of late nights and early-morning study habits.

"There was a learning curve," Linda said. "Obviously, I had to adjust and get back into the habit of studying."

Because all classes were online, Becca and Linda found their own study routines, rarely working at the same time despite living in the same house. "And then I traveled a lot," Becca added. "I was able to be in different time zones and still do the work, but it was not a problem."

Still, the experience strengthened an already powerful bond. Both took away a new understanding of what the other was capable of.

"It was hard at times," Linda said. "It's great and wonderful, and it's like we've probably had all the emotions you can have about it. I think we learned patience. Patience with each other, and Becca certainly showed patience with me. I hope it was encouraging for Becca to continue to grow."

Becca found inspiration in her mother as well.

"She motivated me to keep going, and I do hope that she saw it in me, too," Becca said. "But yeah, we challenged each other for sure. There were times when we were able to work together, and I saw where we both had our strengths."

Despite the pressure to succeed and meet the graduation deadline, both mother and daughter kept things civilized.

"Anybody who knows us knows how competitive we are with each other," Becca said. "I think it was kind of competitive, but in its own nice, friendly sort of way."

Their competitive nature came on in full force, though playfully, each time grades were posted.

"What's funny is-though we still have one more class," Linda said, "we've made the same grade in every single class we've taken together."

And yes, you can bet mother and daughter plan to compare their final GPAs.

"Oh, we're going to pay attention," Linda said. "I think it's going to be something to be proud of for both of us."

Final grades likely won't be posted until Dec. 11 at the earliest. For the moment, Becca's not worrying that far ahead.

"If I think about it, it will just stress me out too much," she said. "I feel like for Mom, that's one of the ways we're different, she always knows what her grade is. But I don't always want to know because then that's all I'll focus on."

The only thing they can't seem to agree on is how they want to receive their degrees at commencement.

"It'd be great if we could just walk up there together. Of course, I'd technically be first because the names are called out alphabetically," Linda said, "Then to have her father, my husband, robing us both at the same time just an incredible moment."

Becca hasn't decided if she wants to share the stage.

About Jacksonville State University: Founded in 1883 as a state teachers' college, Jacksonville State University has grown from humble beginnings into the Alabama regional university with the highest percentage of accredited programs. Located in the Appalachian foothills midway between Birmingham and Atlanta, Jax State offers more than 150 courses of study, including over 40 online programs, at the undergraduate and graduate levels. To learn more, visit www.jsu.edu, call 1-800-231-JAX1, or e-mail jaxfacts@jsu.edu.

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