DENTON, August 21, 2024 — This fall, Texas Woman’s University (TWU) welcomes Kayden Young, an incoming freshman from Forney, Texas, who will be the third generation in her family to attend the university. Her enrollment continues a family legacy that spans over 50 years, beginning with her grandmother, Kaye Wade, who graduated in 1973, and followed by her mother, Kayla Young, who earned her degree in 1992.
Kayden’s choice to attend TWU wasn’t driven by familial expectations, as her mother, Kayla, emphasized. “I’ve always believed in choosing your own path. It’s happenstance that I ended up at TWU, and I’m thankful my mom did the same for me,” Kayla said. Despite the coincidence, the family’s deep connection to the university played a significant role in Kayden’s decision. “Texas Woman’s felt like the place I wanted and needed to be,” Kayden shared.
The family’s TWU story began with Kaye Wade, who faced significant challenges during her time at the university. When Wade enrolled in 1969, TWU had only recently desegregated in 1961. Coming from a small town during the civil rights era, Wade described her experience as one of both growth and struggle. Originally intending to major in occupational therapy, she was compelled to change her focus to social work due to the limited opportunities available to minority students at the time.
Despite these challenges, Wade persevered, earning her degree and later a master’s degree from Prairie View A&M University. Her career in social work spanned five decades, and she continues to contribute as a substitute teacher and consultant. Reflecting on her journey, Wade expressed pride in how her experiences have shaped her family. “It made me a stronger person, and I instilled that in my daughter and granddaughter,” she said.
Kayla Young’s experience at TWU in the early 1990s was markedly different from her mother’s. While she acknowledged facing challenges, she noted that they were less severe. A member of the Zeta Phi Beta sorority, Kayla graduated with a degree in fashion merchandise and remains connected to her alma mater, frequently attending homecoming events.
When Kayden expressed interest in TWU, Wade had mixed emotions, recalling her own difficulties. However, she ultimately felt pride and joy that her granddaughter would continue the family’s legacy at the university. Kayden, after considering several majors, settled on criminal justice, inspired by her passion for helping others. “I feel like Texas Woman’s really helped me figure out the pathway that I would like to go down,” she said, expressing her enthusiasm for pursuing a career as a crime-scene investigator.
As Kayden embarks on her college journey, both her mother and grandmother are eager to see what she will achieve. “I just can’t wait to see all the wonderful things she does,” Kayla said, reflecting the hopes of a family deeply intertwined with the history and future of Texas Woman’s University.
