A North Texas father and son — a 53-year-old firefighter and a U.S. Army veteran turned teacher — graduated together from the University of North Texas at Dallas and plan to continue their education side by side in a joint master’s program.
A father and son from North Texas recently shared a powerful milestone: graduating from college during the same ceremony — and they’re not done yet.
Mikel Lott, a U.S. Army veteran, and his father, Lamontry Lott, a 53-year-old firefighter, both received their bachelor’s degrees from the University of North Texas at Dallas. On December 16, they walked across the stage together, celebrating years of hard work and perseverance.
For Lamontry Lott, the moment carried special significance. Decades earlier, he left high school and later earned a GED before eventually completing enough college coursework to qualify as a firefighter engineer with the city of Dallas. Walking in a graduation ceremony wearing a cap and gown marked a first for him — and the fulfillment of a lifelong personal goal.
He said the experience wasn’t just about earning a degree, but about setting an example and changing the narrative for future generations. Education, he believes, is a key that opens doors and breaks cycles.
His son Mikel has clearly taken that message to heart. A retired Army sergeant and Afghanistan War veteran, Mikel now works as a teacher at Hillcrest High School in Dallas. His dedication in the classroom has already been recognized: he was recently named the district’s Teacher of the Year for Promise, an award honoring standout new educators.
Mikel credits his father for instilling the importance of learning through both words and actions. Watching his dad pursue higher education alongside him reinforced values he now passes on to his own students.
Academically, Mikel excelled throughout his studies, graduating summa cum laude — a point of pride his father was quick to share.
Rather than viewing graduation as an endpoint, the Lotts see it as another step forward. Father and son plan to continue their academic journey together, enrolling in master’s degree programs at UNT Dallas in the fall of 2026.
Their story is one of perseverance, mutual support, and the belief that it’s never too late — or too early — to invest in education.
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