Mother surprised by active duty son appearing at her Purdue Global graduation ceremony

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Mother’s Day came early for Sebrina Hil as she was surprised during her graduation ceremony by the sudden appearance of her son, who was supposed to be half a world away.

“Shocked — I was shocked,” Hill remarked. “My heart felt heavy not having him there…. I didn’t feel whole without him.”

Sebrina Hill is a U.S. Air Force veteran and resident of Oskaloosa, Iowa. On Saturday, she stood in line in West Lafayette waiting to finally be handed her hard-earned nursing degree from Purdue Global. Her family sat proudly in attendance.

But there was a noticeable absence. Her son, Blane Yuhas, was overseas. Deployed as part of his active duty with the U.S. Army and unable to celebrate his mother’s accomplishment.

Or so Hill thought.

Watch as Purdue Global captured the heartfelt reunion as Sebrina Hill is surprised by the appearance of her son — the two reunited after nine months apart.

“Seeing him walk around the line of people was a complete shock and such a joyful moment for me. My heart was complete,” Hill recalled afterward. “During the hardest times, my children have been my hope, my joy and my biggest supporters.”

Purdue Global, backed by Purdue University, offers online courses aimed at helping working adults earn college degrees. Purdue Global also boasts itself as a “Military Friendly School” with various resources to assist veterans and military students.