Father-son Baylor duo to graduate together this weekend

Alan Lenz had heard all the stories about Baylor from his wife, Allison (BA ’94). Then the couple sent two of their kids to BU, and he heard even more incredible stories — enough that Alan felt he was missing out as the only non-Baylor member of his family.

This weekend, Alan and his youngest son, Robbie, will both walk the Ferrell Center stage at Commencement. Robbie (BA ’26) will receive his degree in communication, while Alan (EdD ’26) will receive his doctorate in education (learning and organizational change).

“It’s a pretty unique thing to be graduating on the same weekend with my dad,” says Robbie. “Not a lot of people can say that they went to school with their dad! I really appreciate that he wanted to do something special like this… I’m sure it’ll be a memory neither of us will ever forget.”

“This is the hardest I’ve ever worked on anything, to get this degree,” adds Alan. “It’s something that I’m proud of in myself. But I’m also extremely proud of Robbie, because Baylor is not an easy school, and you’ve got to work hard. He’s set that goal and accomplished it, and I’m super proud of him for it.”

Alan completed the EdD program while continuing in his full-time role as head of school at St. Philip’s Episcopal School in Beeville, Texas (about halfway between San Antonio and Corpus Christi).

“They actually had the school set up a pep rally for me on Principal Appreciation Day. They made it ‘Dr. Lenz’s Day,’ and it’s the official changing of my title. They all wore Baylor t-shirts and colors… And my wife, who was a twirler at Baylor and has a twirling team here at the school, bought her team Baylor shirts, and they did a little twirling routine for us. They also went around and taught all the kids how to do ‘Sic ’em, Bears!'”

As Robbie graduates, he’s still deciding between grad school and entering the work force.

“I’m hoping to get a job in a creative field,” he says. “I’m not too picky about what specific job position I get, since my major gives me a lot of options, but I know that I want to work for a company that works with artists. I just really like working with creative people!”

Now when the family gets together, they can each share their own Baylor memories.

“I thought it was interesting that my dad wanted to get his doctorate while I was still studying,” says Robbie. “I assumed it was because he was feeling left out, but to be honest, he’s always already felt like an honorary Baylor student with how much he supports us. I suppose he just wanted to make it official!”

Sic ’em, Lenz family!