3,800 Wayne State University Warriors and five honorary graduates received degrees Saturday afternoon.

It’s not every day you get a birthday surprise from your sports hero, especially when it comes with a signed jersey.

There should have been a big party with hugs and kisses to celebrate Mary Mikola’s near-century on this earth. “Since we can’t be with her, we made signs and we are going to the lawn outside her assisted living center and we are going to sing her Happy Birthday,” Derupa said. “All of her great grandchildren are here and two of her grandchildren and all of their spouses are here,” Mary’s great granddaughter, Brittany said. Inside, the aides at the Cunningham Trenton Senior Assisted Living center guided Mary to the big picture window out front. As the family started to sing Happy Birthday, you could see the emotion on both sides of the glass.