More than 1,100 Ashford University students donned their caps and gowns for graduation Sunday, May 3, 2015.
The ceremony took place at the iWireless Center in Moline, Illinois. The commencement speaker, Jeff Hobbs, shared his inspiring story about being born with spastic cerebral palsy and becoming a competitive runner. Hobbs, an Ashford grad himself, has been profiled in the Comcast Sportsnet documentary called "Guts: The Jeff Hobbs Story," as well as a PBS special called "Jeff Hobbs: Heart of a Champion."
Hobbs is hoping to run the Chicago Marathon this year after tearing a tendon last year during training. "Any rehabbing is tough on anyone, mentally more than physically. You've just got to stick with it. And I have a great team at Genesis that has stuck with me. We're bound and determined to make sure we get to that starting line come October," said Hobbs.
One of the graduates was 77-year-old Eileen Doyle. She was set to receive her bachelor's degree in journalism. According to a statement from the university, Doyle planned to use her degree to write about issues that impact senior citizens.
Another grad turned to Facebook to muster up the courage to finish school. Bianca Foreman, a 30-year-old single mother of two, told friends on Facebook that if she got 50 status "likes" she would return to school. Foreman received 128, and on Sunday was set to receive her bachelor's degree.
Ashford University invited graduates to share their experience on Twitter with the hashtag #AUgrad15