Grad delivers baby hours before ceremony, gets diploma at hospital

The baby ‘decided to make his way on MY big day (now his),’ mom said

A graduating senior at Dillard University, a historically black institution in New Orleans, went into labor mere hours before her scheduled commencement. So the university brought a special graduation ceremony to her and her baby at the hospital, Fox13 reported.

Jada Sayles (pictured) was admitted to a New Orleans hospital at approximately 4:30 a.m. on May 14, the same day as her graduation.

“Around the same time her Dillard classmates were receiving their diplomas … Sayles gave birth to a 7 lb., 6 oz. healthy baby boy,” local news outlet NOLA.com reported.

“She named him Easton,” the website stated.

The university’s outgoing president, Walter Kimbrough, had been “in contact with Sayles and decided to bring her graduation honors to her at the hospital the next day,” Fox13 stated.

“Jada … texted me around 4:30 a.m. Saturday saying she was being admitted, & the baby was born on her graduation day, May 14th. So we rolled up to the hospital so I could finish my tenure in the most special way,” Kimbrough tweeted.

“For Kimbrough, the degree is likely the last he will confer as Dillard’s president, a position he has held for about 10 years,” NOLA stated.

Holding her new baby boy in her arms, surrounded by family and dressed in her cap and gown, Sayles received a bachelor of arts degree in criminal justice and corrections, Fox stated.

“I thought I was gonna walk across the stage to get my degree, instead I got my baby,” Sayles tweeted.

I thought I was gonna walk across the stage to get my degree, instead I got my baby. My sweet face decided to make his way on MY big day (now his). Shoutout to my university for still bringing my graduation and degree to me. 🎓 Ima college graduate & mommy, talk to me nice! 🎉 pic.twitter.com/3KyVReqyUJ

— Jada S. (@JadaSayles) May 15, 2022