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Inspirational mom and son graduate with PhDs on the same day

In this photo from Twitter, Maurice McBride and his mother Vickie are shown after being awarded their PhDs from Capella University.

Vickie McBride gave birth to her son, Maurice, when she was just 13.

This summer, she donned a cap and gown and received her PhD in education from Capella University in Minneapolis. Her proud son was there cheering her on — and receiving his own PhD in organizational management.

"Never in a thousand, million, trillion years [did I expect to get my PhD]. The thought of becoming a doctor anyone was far fetched," Dr. Maurice McBride told WRDW.

"I was so proud of him because I knew where he had come from," said Vickie.

Life wasn't easy for Vickie and her family. She raised four children while pursuing college and graduate-school courses.

"I had to figure out how to work and how to parent and how to manage school all at the same time." she said.

Maurice dropped out of high school at 16. It took spending time in a juvenile probation facility to inspire him to turn his life around. He got his GED, then pursued a music career while taking college classes online.

After graduate school, Maurice became a professor at Paine College. Then he decided to get his PhD — and asked his mom if she'd like to do it with him. She eventually said yes.

"I didn't let my situation define who I was. I defined my situation. I looked at my situation and I told situation this is where we are going and this is what we are doing," said Vickie, looking back at her successes after a rocky beginning.

"This is who she really is despite what she's been through," Maurice proudly told WRDW at their graduation.

"This is how I've always seen her and now I'm like 'hey look this is her' with the cape and the supermommy uniform."

Vickie and Maurice hope their story inspires others to also overcome life's obstacles:

"For those who have gone through [tough situations]. You can be successful. You can be anything. You can do anything once you make up your mind that that is what you want to do. Set a goal and go for it," Vickie said.

Both mother and son are working as teachers now; Maurice as a business professor, and Vickie as a middle-school teacher.

While Maurice has his sights set on law school, Vickie is certain she's done pursuing degrees.

Maurice does, however, hope his mother will agree to co-write a book with him about their story.