In a first for Wilfrid Laurier University, a mother and son have graduated from the same program at the same time.

Lila Bruyere and Shawn Everett Johnson proudly crossed a stage in Waterloo, Ont., on Friday, to accept their master’s degrees in social work.

“There were times I wanted to quit and I would call him and he would say, ‘Just hang in there, it's going to get better,’” says Bruyere. “It's the most exciting day of my life, really.”

School isn’t the first challenge they have overcome as a family. Bruyere, a residential school survivor, has worked through an addiction to alcohol, while Everett Johnson fought off problems with drinking and drugs.

Bruyere, 61, hopes to apply her new knowledge to work with residential school survivors, at least for a few years before retiring.

Everett Johnson has already found a job, working with Aboriginal students at the University of Waterloo.

He’s thinking about pursuing a PhD.

With a report from Krista Simpson, CTV News Kitchener