

KALAMAZOO, MI – After four years of working hard at school while battling brain cancer, Chris Boes almost was knocked off the path to graduation by a fall.

Instead, graduation came early for the 28-year-old student at Western Michigan University. Boes celebrated his bachelor of arts degree Monday, Nov. 25, in a private commencement ceremony, with all the pomp and circumstance befitting the honor.

A brass quartet played. There were dignitaries - WMU President John Dunn, Provost Timothy Greene, Dean Alex Enyedi and just about every professor who taught Boes during his academic career.

And witnessing the moment were proud and tearful parents Debbie and Jim Boes.

“It was incredible,” said Jim Boes. “Just riveting.”

The event, held at WMU's Bernhard Center, was a much-needed boost for his son as he battles a tough turn of events in his fight against cancer.

Boes, a Muskegon resident, was a student at WMU in 2009 when he was diagnosed with a brain tumor, pilocytic astrocytoma, and given a poor prognosis. He managed to beat the odds with help from specialists at Duke University and Wings of Mercy pilots, who have provided free plane rides to North Carolina for treatment and checkups.

Related: WMU student gets help from Wings of Mercy

He returned to WMU and resumed his studies in political science. He also continued to receive chemotherapy infusions every other week and battle the effects of brain cancer. Last year, he suffered a stroke. He has no hearing in one ear, vision problems and limited use of his left hand.

Whenever doctors asked about his goals, Boes made it clear he wanted to graduate from college.

In September, when the tumor showed signs of activity, he began taking an oral form of chemo as he continued with his last semester of college.



But his sense of balance deteriorated in recent weeks, and it became more difficult navigating campus with his cane. On Monday, Nov. 18, he fell in his dorm room. He wasn't seriously injured, but when he called his parents, he told them, "I guess I better come home."

His parents knew he was disappointed. He was on track to complete the requirements for his degree by the end of the semester.

“We were just sick that he was three weeks from the finish line,” Jim Boes said.

Within a few hours Boes received an email from one of his professors, Denise Keele. She assured him that he had already fulfilled the requirements of his degree and would be able to graduate at the end of the semester.

Boes made plans to return to Kalamazoo Dec. 14 for the graduation ceremony. But last week, MRI scans showed progression of the tumor in two directions. The family has not been able to discuss the results with his doctors at Duke, so they are uncertain about his options for further treatment and whether he will be able to attend graduation.

“At this point, we don’t know what the future holds,” Jim Boes said. “He’s at a pretty tight crossroads right now.”

They decided to return to Western on Monday to pack up their son’s dorm room.

Keele and Professor Ashlyn Kuersten contacted WMU administrators to arrange an early graduation ceremony. The event was put together in two days, said Kevin Knutson, director of advising.

“We are thankful for Christopher - that we have a student like him,” Knutson said. He praised Boes’ love of learning and said his dedication will inspire other students, particularly anyone having a hard time making education a priority, he said.

“I think that student will take a look at what he’s had to do and it might be what they need to make that phone call and make that commitment to learn,” he said.

For Boes, the secret to his perseverance is simple: “I like to finish something I start.”

The personal graduation ceremony was touching and unexpected, but not completely surprising, said Debbie Boes.

“We have found with Western that any time he has needed something, they have stepped up to plate and done phenomenally,” she said. “I can’t say enough about what they have done for him.”

Sue Thoms covers health care for MLive/The Grand Rapids Press. Email her at sthoms1@mlive.com or follow her on Twitter, Facebook or Google+.