‘Crown jewels’: FSU graduating couple overcomes family challenges during academic journey

Florida State University graduating couple Josh and Rachel Duke are ending their academic journey at FSU with two degrees, a dissertation and a baby — 1-year-old Arthur Duke.

But the road to graduation was not an easy one for the Texas natives.

After six years, four rounds of IVF (in vitro fertilization) and the generosity of an embryo donor, the couple accomplished one of their top goals of starting a family — all while pursuing their degrees at the university.

“I think a lot of couples go through hardship and turn inward in that struggle, but I find that Josh and I both really made a decision to turn towards each other,” said Rachel, 38. “I think that kept us strong and made all the difference.”

While Josh will be graduating at 7 p.m. during FSU’s Saturday commencement ceremony at the Tucker Civic Center with his master’s degree in integrated marketing communications, Rachel will be graduating at 7 p.m. Friday with her doctoral degree in English literature with an emphasis in history of technologies.

More on commencement: Here’s a look at FSU, FAMU commencement speakers for the spring 2024 graduating class

Josh currently works as program director of Media, Communications and Marketing for the FSU College of Education, Health, and Human Science. Rachel is a rare books librarian in FSU Strozier Library’s Special Collections.

The married couple of 10 years met at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas, where Rachel earned her bachelor's in English Literature and Josh earned his bachelor’s in English and creative writing.

Josh and Rachel struggled with infertility for a number of years as Josh had cancer in his early 20s.

But with the passion to start a family came the decision to go through an IVF medical procedure.

“It was really difficult emotionally, physically and financially, but we really wanted to pursue that and Rachel wanted the opportunity to be a mom and carry a child,” said Josh, 35.

“There were a couple of times where being a student and being a full time employee was challenging on its own, and then there was the disappointment of our first two IVF rounds not working. Plus, the number of shots that Rachel had to take was insane.”

The average cost of embryo adoption is $15,000.

But luckily, Josh and Rachel found a donor who gave them three free embryos. The first two did not work, but the last one was a success.

“It's been difficult, but I wouldn't change the journey for anything,” Rachel said. “We've learned a lot about each other, and we've gotten very good at project management as a team. We ended up with exactly the right kid at the right time.”

Due to complications during Rachel’s pregnancy in January 2023, the couple was forced to relocate closer to the University of Florida Health Shands Hospital’s neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) in Gainesville for a couple of months since the hospital is known as one of the best in the country for high-risk pregnancies.

After a C-section, Rachel gave birth to Arthur in March 2023.

Despite the challenging transition from Tallahassee, Josh and Rachel both agreed that the support they received from professors and work supervisors at FSU was “overwhelming.”

FSU Dean and Professor of FSU’s College of Education, Health and Human Sciences Damon Andrew — also Josh’s supervisor — paid Josh and Rachel a visit in Gainesville at the time when he and his wife were driving to Miami for a conference.

“Josh and Rachel are crown jewels here at Florida State,” Andrew said. “They’ve been through a lot but still found ways to continue to succeed while developing professionally and personally with their home life. I’m very proud of both of them and what they’ve been able to accomplish.”

The same FSU support was felt again six months later when the couple went back to Gainesville as Arthur underwent surgery at UF Shands for a rare congenital lung condition.

“He's just about ready to start walking now, and you wouldn't know anything was wrong with him before he was born,” Josh said.

“He also loves books. If you give him a toy and a book, he'll reach for the book before he reaches for the toy.”

Rachel says Arthur has learned a lot of words too, but especially B words — bubbles, balloons and blueberries.

With graduation approaching, Josh and Rachel are both excited as their loved ones will be coming to Tallahassee for the two-day commencement ceremonies.

“It feels like we're reaping the rewards of so much work over the past couple of years all at once,” Rachel said.

Contact Tarah Jean at tjean@tallahassee.com or follow her on X: @tarahjean_.

This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: FSU couple will earn their degrees after difficult academic journey