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Grandparents Mary and the late Samuel Madison, Sr. are proud to report graduation achievement of their third grandchild, Kellen Madison. He is the son of their youngest son Sam, Jr. and his mother Saskia; is the big brother of Kennedy and Kaden; and celebrates this achievement with a huge number of family members and friends.
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Imitating his father's outstanding football performance in high school, Kellen played for St. Thomas Aquinas High School and earned a five-year National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) scholarship. His father had attended the University of Louisville (Kentucky) and after four years went to play for the National Football League Miami Dolphins. Kellen attended Butler University in Indianapolis, Ind.
During Kellen's freshman year, like his dad he was injured and sat out a portion of his sophomore year, but he returned to the playing field for a stellar performance the rest of that season and through his junior and senior years. His temporary absence from the playing field allowed him the opportunity to focus more on his academic studies. Doing so he became eligible for graduation.
He acquired his mathematics degree as part of Butler's 168th Spring Commencement's Bachelor of Science Program at the Hinkle Fieldhouse – Clowes Memorial Hall – Schrott Center of the Arts. Mary revealed that Kellen did not stop his progression. After graduation, he made an immediate move to enroll in a master's degree program at Stetson University in DeLand, Fla., and use the fifth year of his NCAA scholarship to play football there while preparing for the NFL draft.
Mary iterated her disappointment of not being able to attend Kellen's graduation, as she did with the two granddaughters. However, she enthusiastically told of her pleasure and excitement of attending the senior football players' recognition at the game between the Stetson Hatters and the San Diego Toreros last November.
The pride, she said, came at halftime. The female family spectators of the players received a beautiful bouquet of flowers and other family members walked with their player as they were announced to the audience. Mary stated this was an equally heartwarming and prideful experience as though Kellen was walking down his graduation aisle.
IN THE FEATURED PHOTO: Kellen Madison graduated from Butler University with a bachelor's degree in mathematics. Photo Courtesy