Some days don’t go exactly as planned.
Just ask Danielle Bunin.
The Land O’ Lakes’ resident was in line on April 30 waiting for the procession to start for her commencement ceremony at Saint Leo University.
While waiting, Bunin —six months pregnant at the time — stepped away from the crowd to get some fresh air. She passed out, fell down and landed on her stomach.
(Courtesy of Ben Watters/Saint Leo University)
After an ambulance ride and four hours in an emergency room, Bunin heard the good news that her baby would be fine. But, she had missed a graduation that meant so much to her and her family.
She had expected to receive her second degree from the university that day — a master’s in business administration in human resource management.
“She was really looking forward to making that walk,” said her husband, Bradley Bunin. “She was so upset that she didn’t make it.”
It turns out that the staff at Saint Leo wanted to make things right.
On June 6, Bunin received her degree at a commencement ceremony held just for her at Saint Leo’s main campus, off State Road 52 in St. Leo.
She received her degree from William Lennox, the university’s president.
Family members looked on, with pride.
Bradley Bunin’s brother, Matthew Bunin, flew in from Las Vegas to attend the ceremony.
“It’s inspiring to see what she has accomplished,” her brother-in-law said.
Danielle Bunin and Lennox stood in caps and gowns outside the president’s office, framed under an archway.
After receiving her degree, Bunin responded with gratitude.
“Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. It’s incredible that you were able to make this happen,” she said.
Lennox said personally bestowing the degree to her meant something special.
“We know how much work goes into this. It’s important to do this,” he said.
Saint Leo has nearly 16,000 undergraduates and graduates who enroll in course work at more than 40 locations in seven states, and online from anywhere.
Lennox said the university reaches out in particular to students who are in mid-career seeking to expand their possibilities.
“That takes an awful lot of work from the family,” he said.
Danielle Bunin gave credit to her husband.
She works at home as a social media marketer. Bradley Bunin is a salesman with an IT company.
She often spent nights doing coursework and taking tests that had to be finished within specific deadlines.
Her husband would free up her time and watch after the couple’s 2-year-old son, Ashton.
“It was a team effort,” she said.
Danielle Bunin and her family might also qualify as “Team Saint Leo.”
Bradley Bunin is a Saint Leo graduate.
His wife received her bachelor of arts degree two years ago when she was then pregnant with Ashton. At that ceremony, Danielle Bunin’s mother, Lorene Mervis, also received her bachelor of arts degree in sociology.
The next order of business is awaiting the arrival of the newest Bunin – a second son.
The baby is due in August.
Published June 15, 2016
