Phil Corkill, Faculty, School of Education: I'd had her in class, I'd watched her grow at Capella and grow in her profession. And I went up to her and said you know I'd like to be your mentor if possible. And she sort of smiled and said yeah I'd like that.
Charisse Redditt, Elementary School Assistant Principal: People need to know that Capella University is a very prestigious organization. It has a network of supportive faculty, staff, and everybody, everybody is supportive at Capella.
MC (at the podium speaking, February 25, 2006 Smyrna, Georgia graduation party): I will never be able to place in print or speech just how proud we all are of you tonight. Dr. Charisse Redditt.
Charisse walks into room to applause.
Charisse (hugging family, friends): I could not have done this without the support of my husband and my son encouraging me, and all of my family members throughout my childhood, always being there for me, letting me know that I could do everything, and that positive force, that village. I am the village child; I was raised by the village.
Charisse (gets up to hug Phil): I'm so glad you're here!
Charisse's husband, Melvin Redditt (interview): She called him Dr. Phil, you know. We would laugh and joke about it. I'd say is that Dr. Phil as in Phil and Oprah. We would laugh about that. Whenever she had a question or problem she would e-mail Dr. Phil, calling him, Dr. Phil would be great about getting a response back to her in a timely manner.
Charisse (at podium): I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart and soul for each of you who made it here … Now I'm going to start with my grandmother, so I'm going to ask her to come up here.
Her grandmother, a single mother, finished 6th grade.
Charisse (at podium): It says grandmother, or grandma, thanks for your support, love Dr. Redditt.
Her mother, a single mother, finished high school.
Charisse's mother (at podium): I just want to let you know I'm so very proud of Charisse, so very proud.
Charisse (interview): I've beat all the odds, all the things that people say against society about young students and single mothers, and all those types of things, minorities, I have broken through all those barriers.
Charisse (with Melvin at podium): From the bottom of my heart, I love you and thank you.
You hear audience go "aaawww" and they hug.
Melvin (at podium): She's thanking me and I should be thanking her because I've learned a lot. I've grown a lot. I have to say, Capella, and Charisse and I know, Capella has been good to us.
After presenting gifts to family, there was one more.
Charisse (at podium): I have one more gift. Dr. Corkill? … He was very supportive and I appreciate it. So, from the bottom on my heart to yours, thank you so much.
Applause
Charisse (at podium): On the bag it says dream. There are no limits to what we dream no boundaries to what we can achieve. And he helped me achieve a dream of mine.
Phil (at podium): The first time I sat down with her I asked who are you and what do you want to do with your life and she said without missing a beat, I want to be Secretary of Education of the United States.
Applause
Melvin: And they just had a great working relationship that you know I told him thank you for making it a lot easier for my wife.
Phil (interview): It's people like this that are going to be my legacy. And that's how I view Charisse. I look for great things from Charisse Redditt and some of the other learners that I have been privileged to work with.
Charisse: Knowledge is commitment. Because once you have the knowledge, you have to give it away. Knowledge gives you opportunity, confidence, success, motivation, discipline. All the things that you have to have to be a successful Capella learner.
Phil (interview): I'm very proud of you and its been an honor working with you and this will not end here. Our relationship will not end here.