LAKE FOREST, Ill. – Matt Forte was elated when he scored his first NFL touchdown on a 50-yard run last September in a nationally-televised Sunday night game against the Indianapolis Colts.

While there won’t be nearly as many people watching, the Bears running back no doubt will feel a similar sense of accomplishment Saturday when he’s presented with his diploma at Tulane University in New Orleans.

Running back Matt Forte was selected by the Bears with the 44th pick in the 2008 NFL Draft.

Forte recently completed his final 15 hours of course work to earn a finance degree, taking classes in commercial banking, strategic management, English, communications and venture capitalism.

“It’s a very good feeling to be done,” Forte said following a workout at Halas Hall. “It was tough, but you’ve got to do it. If it’s worth it, you’ve got to work for it.”

Even after enjoying a breakout first season in which he shattered Bears rookie records for rushing yards (1,238), receptions (63) and total yards (1,715), Forte knew he would return to Tulane to earn his degree.

“You can’t have enough or too much education,” said the 2008 second-round draft pick. “It’s very important. A lot of guys who succeed have great educational backgrounds.

“I hope it sends a message [to kids] that education is important and just because you have a career that maybe you’re successful in, you also have to finish school no matter what.”

Forte’s commitment to earning his diploma is an excellent example, particularly for teenage boys who are interested in sports like Evan Spencer, the 15-year-old son of Bears running backs coach Tim Spencer.

“It reinforces some of the things we’ve been teaching him,” Tim Spencer said. “To see a young man who you like and know succeed in football and also get his degree, it’s really close for us. It’s good all the way around. It’s good for Matt, good for his fans and good for kids that look up to him.”