June 4, 2009

A Near-Tragedy Turns to Joy

GARY FANDEL

Cassaundra Koenen stands next to her father's hospital bed, where she received her diploma in an abridged ceremony after he suffered a heart attack during graduation exercises at Drake U.

Enlarge Image

GARY FANDEL

Cassaundra Koenen stands next to her father's hospital bed, where she received her diploma in an abridged ceremony after he suffered a heart attack during graduation exercises at Drake U.

By Marc Beja

Drake University's president handed out diplomas last month to 770 seniors —771 if you count the woman who accepted her sheepskin at her father's bedside in a local hospital's intensive-care unit.

Cassaundra Koenen was waiting in line before commencement when her aunt and uncle ran backstage with the news that her father, Glenn, had suffered a heart attack in the stands.

"We knew he was still with us, but that's all we knew," says Ms. Koenen, who raced to the