Indiana, Oregon residents converge at Purdue Global commencement to share their talents as national anthem singers

Experienced singers use their voices to inspire, encourage others to continue journey

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Tahanna Tucker of Merrillville, Indiana, and Klnisha Clark of Salem, Oregon, have a lot in common. Both are mothers. Both have worked while taking classes. Both have persevered to get to where they are today. Both sing in their churches’ music ministries. And both performed “The Star-Spangled Banner” on May 4 at their respective Purdue Global commencement ceremonies.

NW Indiana’s Tucker honors late husband, inspires children by earning degree

Tahanna Tucker of Merrillville, Indiana, performs the national anthem at Purdue Global’s May 4 commencement ceremony at Elliott Hall of Music. Tucker works at Purdue University Northwest. (Purdue Global photo/Kelsey Lefever) Download image

Singing has always been in Tucker’s blood.

“I grew up as a bishop’s granddaughter, so I have been singing since I was 2,” Tucker said. “In high school and college, I was in the concert choir, and I currently sing in my church’s praise and worship team.”

So Tucker singing at the commencement for Purdue Global — Purdue’s online university for working adults — should come as no surprise, even though Tucker herself initially thought otherwise. Despite Tucker’s reluctance, her mom talked her into auditioning, which led to her big moment at commencement.

“I think this was an amazing opportunity, and I was just happy and humbled to be able to sing in front of my fellow graduates,” Tucker said.

While performing onstage has always come easy for Tucker, not everything in her life has, as she has faced several challenges in adulthood.

First, Hurricane Katrina disrupted the beginning of her sophomore year of college in New Orleans in 2005. She evacuated and moved back to Illinois. She later got married, had four children and began taking classes at a local college. Then tragedy struck again. As she entered her senior year of college, her husband died.

“I was so distraught, I stopped attending school to attend to the needs of my children,” Tucker said. “However, my goals never changed, and I insisted on finishing my degree.”

Enter Purdue Global. “I chose Purdue Global because I needed to figure out a way to attend college, be a mother of four teenagers and continue working,” she said.

At the same time she started courses with Purdue Global, Tucker began a new position with Purdue University Northwest, which helped with tuition reimbursement. She is currently an administrative assistant in the Department of Behavioral Sciences.

Tucker earned her Bachelor of Science in industrial and organizational psychology from Purdue Global. As Tucker sang and walked the stage at commencement, she believed she had completed her comeback.

“I just want to make sure they see someone firsthand, especially their mom, do what it takes to make it through, so they now know, no matter what they go through, they can do it because mom did it, too,” Tucker said.

Tucker recently received news that she had passed her business exam and will begin Purdue Global’s Management and Leadership Master of Science program in July. She is now encouraging others to complete their own journeys, their own comebacks and said it’s never too late to start.

“Whether you start school today, tomorrow or next year, time will never stop,” Tucker said. “If I let time deter me from continuing my education, I wouldn’t be here today. The first goal to finish is to start.”

Perseverance pays off for Oregon’s Clark

Klnisha Clark of Salem, Oregon, sings “The Star-Spangled Banner” during Purdue Global’s May 4 commencement ceremony on Purdue’s West Lafayette campus. Clark earned a Juris Doctor from Purdue Global Law School. (Purdue Global photo/Greta Bell) Download image

Clark persevered and blazed her own path toward her law degree at Purdue Global. Before embarking on her Purdue Global journey, she had already carved out a path of entrepreneurship and academic pursuit, having built a solid foundation in business administration. Alongside her bachelor’s degree, she acquired a certificate in business office skills, setting the stage for her future endeavors.

Choosing Purdue Global was a strategic decision for Clark, driven by her aspiration to earn a Juris Doctor degree through Purdue Global Law School. The flexibility of Purdue Global’s online platform perfectly aligned with her busy lifestyle as a multifaceted business owner, as well as a wife, married for 25 years, and mother of 10.

“Purdue Global played a pivotal role in my career, creating a path for me to become a practicing attorney,” Clark said. “Becoming a lawyer was always a goal for me, and Purdue Global helped make that possible. I am so grateful.”

In addition to earning her law degree, Clark has expanded her knowledge and skill set by taking courses in child development, furthering her professional development and versatility. Her diverse educational background mirrors her dynamic professional life, where she balances ownership of multiple businesses — ranging from a child care service to a resale/thrift store — in addition to conflict mediation services.

Beyond her professional pursuits, Clark’s passion for music has been a constant thread throughout her life. From her early years, she found joy in singing, eventually serving as a music minister at her church. Her involvement as a youth choir director and general music director reflects her commitment to nurturing musical talents and fostering a sense of community through music.

“Since I was a little girl, I have enjoyed singing, so it was such an honor and a dream come true to be selected to perform the national anthem at my own commencement ceremony,” Clark said.

Clark said the lyrics of the anthem resonate deeply with her law school journey, encapsulating the essence of her experiences — the battles fought, the persistence displayed and the victory achieved.

“This was a very difficult and long process so I’m very grateful, honored and proud of myself for persevering through this journey,” Clark said.

About Purdue Global

Purdue Global is Purdue’s online university for working adults who have life experience and often some college credits. It offers flexible paths for students to earn an associate, bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral degree, based on their work experience, military service and previous college credits, no matter where they are in their life journey. Purdue Global is a nonprofit, public university accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and backed by Purdue University. For more information, visit https://www.purdueglobal.edu. 

Writer/Media contact: Adam Bartels, adam.bartels@purdueglobal.edu 

Sources: Tahanna Tucker, Klnisha Clark