Like father, like son at UH-Clear Lake Commencement

May 18, 2016 | Kelsie Cleboski

At University of Houston-Clear Lake’s Commencement on May 15, new graduate David Northcutt walked in his son Grant’s footsteps – literally.

Grant Northcutt, 22, crossed the stage to receive a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from the School of Business. Less than an hour later, David Northcutt, 64, followed to accept his Bachelor of Science in Criminology from the School of Human Sciences and Humanities.

For both, it was a fitting end to a long journey of hard work, family support and a little friendly competition. Along the way, the two have challenged and inspired each other to achieve their goals.

“I’ve never seen anybody work harder in my life,” Grant Northcutt said of his father. “I look to him for strength a lot of times.”

David Northcutt noted, “It’s his day. I’m just glad to be here with him and to set an example.”

Grant Northcutt, the youngest of four children, joined the rest of the family in attending college. His eldest brother earned an associate’s degree, while his oldest sister Nikole Northcutt studied criminology and was the first of the Northcutt family to attend UHCL. His youngest sister is currently completing her bachelor’s degree from another university, where she is a math and psychology major.

For David Northcutt, whose parents didn’t complete high school, college education has been high on his priorities for his own family. His wife, Irene Northcutt, graduated from San Jacinto College with an associate’s degree on May 14, the day before his own UHCL graduation.

Both father and son appreciated the convenience of UHCL and the openness of its community. When David Northcutt transferred to UHCL after earning his associate’s degree in business, at San Jacinto College and his son transferred from Texas A&M College Station, he began a friendly competition to graduate at the same time.

“We don’t just like to get by. We like to excel,” said David Northcutt, who graduated magna cum laude.

Grant Northcutt said competition has always been big at home, and members of the family push each other to achieve their goals.

“It’s good to keep being reminded of what you want to get in life,” he said with a smile.

And what both Northcutts want from life is to continue their education – Grant Northcutt plans to pursue a CPA license or a master’s degree in finance, and David Northcutt will be applying to law school.

“My intent is not to stop here,” said David Northcutt, who plans to use a law education to support his own and other local businesses. “I need to understand the law to survive in business.”

Growing up in Emory, Texas, he started his first business in construction before graduating high school in a class of about 40 students in 1969. A Vietnam veteran, he moved to Houston in his 20s to start a new life.

He’s applied his principals of hard work and personal excellence to many aspects in the building industry, from plumbing and construction to real estate.

“There’s no part of construction, that I haven’t done myself,” he said.

Grant Northcutt, taking a page from his father’s book, said he’d also like to run a business one day and travel the world. He’s drawn to accounting as a stable career field that appealed to his interests.

“I’m very math oriented. I like when numbers add up,” he said.

Following graduation, Grant Northcutt has been offered an accounting position with Waste Connections Inc., and David Northcutt said he looks forward to continuing to guide his son in this new chapter of his life.

“I want him to continue that education and be successful in life. I want to steer him the right way,” he said. “If you need someone to keep you between the fences and out of the ditch, I hope I can be that person.”

For his father, Grant Northcutt also sees a bright future.

“I want him to go to law school and be happy. He gets to pick his happiness,” he said. “He’s done it all.”

With a shared alma mater and a fresh set of degrees, the Northcutts have taken the next step toward their goals together.

To learn more about UHCL, visit http://www.uhcl.edu.