MILLINGTON, Tenn. – Megan Lemly, a Navy civilian who lives in Memphis, Tennessee, recently earned a master’s degree in strategic and digital communication from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.
“Growing up, my dad always taught me that education would lead to more opportunities,” said Lemly. “He would say, ‘Don’t let not having a degree be the reason a door closes for you.’ So, I decided to pursue my master’s to open more doors and because I never wanted not having a degree be the reason I missed out on an opportunity.”
Lemly celebrated this major academic milestone in a ceremony on Dec. 13 at the Thompson-Boling Arena at Food City Center in Knoxville.
“My master’s degree is the cumulation of years of hard work, studying, determination and resilience,” said Lemly. “Only a small percentage of the workforce holds a master’s degree, so I am honored to be a part of that group. Above all else, however, this degree represents that I can do anything I put my mind to and not only do it, but excel at it. I cannot wait to hang it on my wall right next to my bachelor’s degree.”
“Growing up, my dad always taught me that education would lead to more opportunities,” said Lemly. “He would say, ‘Don’t let not having a degree be the reason a door closes for you.’ So, I decided to pursue my master’s to open more doors and because I never wanted not having a degree be the reason I missed out on an opportunity.”
Lemly celebrated this major academic milestone in a ceremony on Dec. 13 at the Thompson-Boling Arena at Food City Center in Knoxville.
“My master’s degree is the cumulation of years of hard work, studying, determination and resilience,” said Lemly. “Only a small percentage of the workforce holds a master’s degree, so I am honored to be a part of that group. Above all else, however, this degree represents that I can do anything I put my mind to and not only do it, but excel at it. I cannot wait to hang it on my wall right next to my bachelor’s degree.”
Lemly attended Stuttgart High School in Stuttgart, Germany, and graduated in 2016. Additionally, Lemly earned a bachelor’s degree in communication in 2019 from the University of Kentucky.
Lemly started working full-time as a public affairs specialist at the Navy Office of Community Outreach (NAVCO) at Naval Support Activity Mid-South, in Millington, immediately after graduating from the University of Kentucky. NAVCO educates and informs Americans about their Navy through a variety of different outreach programs. Since most of the Navy’s assets and personnel are strategically located on the coasts, these outreach efforts reach Americans in cities without a high naval presence.
Lemly is known at NAVCO for her love of her family and for being a Taylor Swift superfan.
“There is no better feeling than knowing I’m making a positive impact on a sailor’s career through my stories,” said Lemly. “As a military kid, I am so grateful for everything the military has given me and I love giving back to our service members through my writing. When I feature sailors who get excited to show the stories to their moms, that is hands-down the best part of my job. They might not think it at first, but every sailor is integral to the Navy’s mission and I love getting to highlight them for all the amazing work they do to keep our country free.”
Lemly was raised in a military family and has lived in places all over the world, including Germany and Turkey. Lemly now calls Memphis home, where she is building a life with her new husband, Graham, and their cat, Gangam.
Among the keys to Lemly’s success in the master’s program are the values she learned growing up and from their time in Memphis.
“I ran cross-country throughout middle and high school and I had a fantastic coach freshman and sophomore year (shoutout to Coach Daniels),” said Lemly. “He taught me life skills I still use to this day, especially while I was in my master’s program. For example, he taught me about perseverance and not giving up, like when I would miss a qualifying time by a few seconds. If I got knocked down nine times, Coach Daniels made sure I got back up 10. He also taught me a phrase about not getting bitter, but getting better. It is easy to stay stuck on a bad grade and be upset over it, but it is harder to apply the lessons from that grade and become better.
“Cross-country was never really about running for me. I love running but it was more so about learning these life lessons I carry with me to this day and apply to different areas of my life.”
Lemly is grateful to others for helping make earning a degree possible.
“First and foremost, I want to thank my amazing husband, Graham, for his unwavering support throughout my degree,” added Lemly. “When we first started dating, I lived 45 minutes away and he would come to my apartment for study dates with coffee and snacks. He was my biggest supporter and never let me give up even when I wanted to. I also want to thank my parents, Rob and Sue, for believing in me when I didn’t. There was never a doubt in their minds that I would get this degree. They always push me and inspire me to be the best version of myself and I am incredibly grateful for their love and support.
“Lastly, I would like to thank Taylor Swift because her music got me through the long hours of studying and paper writing.”
Lemly is grateful to others for helping make earning a degree possible.
“First and foremost, I want to thank my amazing husband, Graham, for his unwavering support throughout my degree,” added Lemly. “When we first started dating, I lived 45 minutes away and he would come to my apartment for study dates with coffee and snacks. He was my biggest supporter and never let me give up even when I wanted to. I also want to thank my parents, Rob and Sue, for believing in me when I didn’t. There was never a doubt in their minds that I would get this degree. They always push me and inspire me to be the best version of myself and I am incredibly grateful for their love and support.
“Lastly, I would like to thank Taylor Swift because her music got me through the long hours of studying and paper writing.”