After 4 years of hard work and dedication, a New Orleans woman ended up having two big milestones to celebrate on her graduation day – finally earning her degree and welcoming a healthy baby boy.

Last Saturday, Jada Sayles was getting ready to graduate from Dillard University in New Orleans, when she went into labor.
She was admitted to the hospital by 4:30am, just hours before her ceremony was set to begin.

“I thought I was gonna walk across the stage to get my degree, instead I got my baby,” she wrote on Twitter, adding a few smiling picks with her newborn.

“My sweet face decided to make his way on MY big day (now his),” she added.

Not wanting her to miss such a special moment, Dillard University President, Walter M. Kimbrough, decided to personally deliver her degree at the hospital.

“Jada went into labor on Friday evening. Texted me around 4:30 am Saturday saying she was being admitted, & the baby was born on her graduation day,” Kimbrough wrote on Twitter. “So we rolled up to the hospital so I could finish my tenure in the most special way.”

Donning her hard-earned cap and gown, Jada was presented with her at Criminal Justice degree right outside her hospital room.

And although her family members could be heard cheering in the background, Jada was most thankful for one special guest in particular – her newborn son who she held in her arms the whole time.

After praising her “determination and commitment to excellence,” Kimbrough declared the new mom an official graduate of Dillard University.
“This really was a very sweet moment,” he wrote on Twitter adding video footage of the hospital ceremony. “I’ll never forget it.”