EIT stages mock graduation so dying man can see his granddaughter graduate

Brooke Johnson and her granddad Bob Chapman on her first day of nursing school. Photo / Supplied

More then anything else in the world, Bob Chapman wanted to see his granddaughter Brooke Johnson graduate from nursing school.

Johnson is studying at EIT, and is just starting her final year, meaning her graduation ceremony will be in early 2020.

So when it became clear her granddad, who was diagnosed with lung cancer in March 2018, would not make it to the ceremony, EIT helped Johnson stage one.

"Granddad was my biggest supporter.

"If I said to him, results will be out tomorrow between 12pm and 3pm, he would wait by the phone.

"His dream was to see me graduate."

Johnson contacted two of her lecturers, Joce Stewart and Judy Searle.

"They commented on what a wonderful idea it was, so they ran it past the head of nursing."

Orginially it was going to take place at EIT, but by the time the day rolled around, it was clear Chapman was not going to be able to go into the polytechnic.

"I got on the phone to my lectures and said, granddad is not going to be able to come it, we're not going to be able to do this, I'm devastated."

So the lecturers decided to take the graduation to Brooke and her granddad.

They brought a copy of her transcript, which showed all her achievements over the last two years, and a graduation robe to her house.

Her granddad was semi-conscious during the graduation, and managed to say a few words about Johnson and her cousin, Luke Chapman, who is also studying at EIT.

Her mother, uncle and son Cruz also attended.

"It was very emotional, because obviously it's a bittersweet feeling."

Chapman passed away on January 29, only five days after the mock graduation was held.

EIT's head of nursing Clare Buckley said it was important for them to support Johnson and her granddad.

"We just thought it would be really neat to have a little graduation service. Obviously she couldn't graduate, but it was acknowledging her success in the programme to date.

"We just thought, it wasn't difficult to organise, it was just lovely."

She said nursing can be a stressful degree to complete, and it was important to acknowledge those who support their students.

"It was a way of being able to acknowledge whanau."

Johnson said she was very grateful to EIT.

"They didn't have to do what they did, but they did, and they helped my granddad's wish come true."

When Johnson officially graduates she will wear her grandfather's watch, so he is with her on the day.