A Mother’s Day Like No Other: Mom and Son Cross the Class of 2026 Commencement Stage Together
When Amy Riley enrolled at DeSales University to complete her bachelor’s degree, she knew the journey ahead would be challenging. But she never expected that she and her then-teenage son, Justin, would find themselves in some of the same classes, and that they would later walk across the commencement stage together as college graduates on Mother’s Day.
Amy and Justin Riley are now graduates from the DeSales Class of 2026. While their paths to graduation were vastly different, each reflects determination, persistence, and a shared commitment to service.
Justin transferred as an undergraduate to DeSales from Lehigh Carbon Community College, where he worked in campus public safety and discovered his calling in criminal justice. One pivotal moment at LCCC sealed his decision. Helping a stranger through a serious medical emergency and realizing, for the first time, he was exactly where he was meant to be. He came to DeSales through the Aviat Scholarship, a merit-based financial aid program for transfer students, and quickly found his stride, earning a place on the Dean’s List.
“It’s honestly surreal,” Justin said. “I never expected to be graduating alongside my mom, and it makes the moment even more meaningful.”
Amy’s journey to graduation took longer but was no less purposeful. After 27 years as a stay‑at‑home mother and military wife, navigating deployments and relocations while raising a family, she earned her associate degree and decided to continue her education in the Adult Studies Program at DeSales. She was drawn by the strength of the Criminal Justice program and the University’s support for veterans and military families. Her goal is to become a victim advocate, a role shaped by both personal experience and now working with students in an emotional support classroom.
Along the way, Amy and Justin discovered they had more in common than their last name. Both majored in criminal justice with a minor in psychology. They shared professors, compared notes, and relied on one another as they balanced coursework, work, and family life. Justin often helped Amy navigate the technical side of online learning, and Amy felt inspired by Justin to keep pushing herself.
“I’m incredibly proud of Justin,” Amy said. “His motivation really pushes me to do better.”
Although Amy completed much of her coursework online, she said DeSales still felt like home. The VA lounge, campus events, and the genuine warmth of the faculty made the difference.
“Even as an online student, I still felt connected,” she said. Justin agreed, “It’s such a welcoming, close‑knit campus where you really feel like you belong.”
On Mother’s Day, Amy and Justin Riley will stand side by side in caps and gowns, celebrating degrees earned through years of hard work. For Justin, the moment still feels unreal. For Amy, it represents everything. And for adult learners considering a return to school, she offers simple advice: Don’t wait.
The story of Amy and Justin Riley was featured on WFMZ and The Morning Call.