The bachelor of nursing graduate’s mother Beverley Smith and aunt Jacqueline Fox had known about the pending graduation for some time, but Ms Morgan said she was still "overwhelmed".
"It’s such a long way to travel and it means the world to me."
Ms Morgan said it had been a "challenge" juggling a family and studies over the past two years, but it was worth it.
"There's a lot of us that didn't actually get jobs, so my advice to them is just keep going."
More than 650 graduates participated in Otago Polytechnic’s ceremonies yesterday.
The celebrations were split across two ceremonies to help accommodate the large numbers.
Another 54 students graduated in absentia.
"The graduation ceremonies together with Pasifika, Māori, and school pre-graduations are an amazing and emotional roller-coaster, as you often hear and see people’s stories of hardship in pursuit of completing their qualification.
"It’s an honour to be a part of it, but it’s also a humbling experience.
"As the vocational sector undergoes ongoing change and pressure, this graduation week is a welcome reminder of why and what we're all here for."
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