Shenandoah University’s 2024 Commencement marked a major milestone in the lives of many who were in attendance at the James R. Wilkins, Jr. Athletics and Events on May 18. For two families, the event called for double the celebration.
Not only did Erika Francis ’13, ’24, DMS., and Karen Culbertson ’24, D.M.A., celebrate the strides they took to advance their professional careers by earning a Doctor of Medical Science and Doctor of Musical Arts in performance, respectively, at SU, but they got to watch their children cap off their undergraduate studies at Shenandoah Conservatory by receiving their diplomas on the same day, in the same building and on the same stage. Dr. Francis’ son Tyson Francis ’24 graduated from SU with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in theatre design and production and a Bachelor of Arts in dance, and Dr. Culbertson’s daughter Larissa Culbertson ’24 earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in acting.
Erika said SU’s commencement was a “proud-parent moment for our family,” and she commended Tyson’s hard work over the last four years before adding that the family was “delighted” to celebrate both of their graduations on May 18. Karen noted that the opportunity to share such a momentous occasion with her daughter was “surreal and deeply rewarding.”
Completing my doctorate represents academic achievement and personal growth and development. It results from years of work, dedication, and overcoming challenges. Witnessing my daughter reach a milestone by earning her undergraduate degree adds another layer of pride and joy to the experience.”
Karen Culbertson, D.M.A.
Erika, who has been employed at SU since 2015 and is an associate professor in the university’s physician assistant studies program, had the benefit of proximity as Tyson went through his own student experience at Shenandoah. Though her area of expertise didn’t align with her son’s field of study, Erika was uniquely positioned to support Tyson as a Shenandoah student, parent and faculty member, and residing in Winchester, Virginia, meant that she and her husband were always nearby.
“Tyson and I are in frequent communication about all sorts of topics related to ‘becoming an adult.’ Certainly, I think I am his first call for counsel because of my many years of experience in higher education as a student and faculty member,” Erika said. “Tyson lives with some of his closest friends from the Shenandoah Conservatory across town, and this has allowed me to show up for him for the small and large moments along his undergrad journey. My husband and I have also had the privilege of representing for many of Tyson’s friends as ‘in-town parents.’”
The Culbertsons, who live in Pennsylvania, didn’t enjoy that same luxury (Karen commuted to her two weekly classes while Larissa lived on SU’s main campus in Winchester), though Karen would occasionally bring her daughter cupcakes or other special items from home, and they made a point to have lunch and dinner together as a family as often as possible when Karen was in town. When Larissa spent a semester studying abroad in England in Fall 2022, Karen and her husband decided to travel overseas with her and spend a weeklong vacation in England before Larissa’s classes started.
“Our shared academic journey is not just about our personal achievements; it’s about the path we’ve both walked and our support for each other,” Karen said. “Larissa attended all of my doctoral recitals, and my husband and I attended all of her performances, from singing to writing and acting, culminating in her being a lead actress portraying Agnes Evans in ‘She Kills Monsters’ this spring.”
As both she and Larissa were studying in Shenandoah Conservatory, Karen said there was an interesting overlap in their classes when Larissa took a course called “Sound and Music in Film” with Assistant Professor of Music History Christopher Ruth, Ph.D., this past spring, one year after Karen took a class with Dr. Ruth called “Music in Cinema” to broaden her understanding of film music, which was the topic of her dissertation.
“My dissertation explored a comparison of horn solos in three Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) films. Interestingly and purely coincidental, Larissa’s final project for her film music class centered on comparing the musical themes of Bucky Barnes in two MCU movies,” Karen said. “This intriguing parallel did not go unnoticed by Dr. Ruth, who noted on Larissa’s paper, ‘It runs in the family.’ I only learned about her paper when she shared it with me at graduation and enjoyed the crossover of ideas too.”
With her new D.M.A. in hand, Karen plans to work at a university teaching horn, while Larissa will audition at various theatre companies in Philadelphia and New York City while working on film projects over the summer with friends in SU’s film production program.
Tyson plans to pursue stage management opportunities in New York City, and Erika said earning a DMS has “enhanced” her career aspirations. Erika, who expressed gratitude for the support of her colleagues as she pursued her doctorate, said she loves her current role at Shenandoah and called SU a “diverse and vibrant” learning community built on a culture of striving for excellence.
“The didactic coursework in the DMS program in leadership and research supported my knowledge base on these important aspects of working in higher education. Who knows what the future holds? I am confident that the SU DMS degree has further equipped my skills for future career leadership opportunities,” Erika said.
