The Farrelly family was full of excitement on Wednesday as two of their loved ones – father and daughter – graduated from Manhattan College.  

John Farrely, Clare Farrely’s father, is the doctor of Veterinary Medicine in Radiation Oncology and Medical Oncology who decided to go back to school to get his master's degree at the O'Malley School of Business. He made sure to prolong the process so that he could finish right on time with his daughter.  

While the pair were taking classes together, they say they had to learn a side of each other that they never knew.  

“I actually got to take a class with him… we always call him the smartest guy in the room, but I got to experience it in person, so it was really cool,” said Clare Farrely. “But we disagreed on a lot of things, that’s for sure." 

Clare says that she recently got married, but decided to not change her last name for one reason.  

"I decided not to change my name until after graduation so that I could walk before my dad,” said Clare. “I’m still a little competitive and it’s kind of cool that I get to walk before him." 

Clare says she plans to continue her education next year at law school, with the goal of one day having as many degrees as her dad.