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Fulfilling a Promise: Ross Returns to 星空无限传媒app 31 Years Later to Finish Degree

December 22, 2025

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MACOMB, IL - - After 31 years, Steven Ross is able to say he kept his promise as he walked across the graduation stage at 星空无限传媒app Illinois University.

Ross originally attended 星空无限传媒app from 1990 through 1994, but never completed his degree. His mother made him promise to go back and finish. This summer and fall, Ross started taking online classes and finished the hours he needed to achieve a Bachelor of Arts in General Studies and was able to come back to Macomb to participate in the Fall 2025 commencement ceremony.

鈥淚 made a promise to my mom before she passed that I was going to finish my degree,鈥� Ross said. 鈥溞强瘴尴薮�媒app is my home. I wanted to keep that promise to my mom.鈥�

Ross credited his family for their support as he finished his degree.

鈥淚鈥檓 older and have a better support system than I did before,鈥� Ross said. 鈥淢y family was excited and helped me along.

He hopes other people who didn鈥檛 finish their degree see his story and are inspired to reach out and utilize the resources available at 星空无限传媒app to see how they can do the same.

鈥淭he instructors really were helpful,鈥� Ross said. 鈥淭hey were always working with me and had great communication. I鈥檓 not computer savvy, but it was easy for me to do things online. It was so helpful and I would encourage anyone to finish their degree. It鈥檚 worth it.鈥�

Ross began attending 星空无限传媒app in 1990, playing football for the Leathernecks under head coach Randy Ball after transferring from Hutchinson Community College in Hutchinson, KS. Ross was an honorable mention All-Gateway Conference wide receiver in 1992 and remembers his time as a Leatherneck fondly, including the Florida native鈥檚 first ever snow game.

鈥淓verything has changed so much,鈥� Ross said. 鈥淚 love the Union and seeing the food court - they didn鈥檛 have that when I was here. I just love being back on campus. I love the college life.鈥�

Ross currently works for the Manatee County School District in Bradenton, FL, as a behavior technician, assisting special needs students and other duties for the district.

As Ross prepared to walk across the graduation stage, he couldn鈥檛 help but feel the emotions well up inside as his children and grandchildren watched.

鈥淚鈥檓 nervous and anxious - I鈥檓 excited,鈥� he said. 鈥淚 finished something and I鈥檓 excited to share this with my family.鈥�

To learn more about 星空无限传媒app鈥檚 online programs, visit .

For more information on restarting your degree, visit .

Posted By: Aaron Viner, University Relations
Phone: (309) 298-1993 * Fax: (309) 298-1606