Excited student topples her college president during graduation — turns out, he is her father

During a graduation ceremony, the president was knocked to the ground by an excited student, and it is one of the most heartwarming videos on the internet today. Jim Clements, the president of Clemson University, welcomed the Class of 2025 to the stage to honor their hard work and dedication to the ClemsonLIFE program. One of those students was his daughter, Grace, who was overjoyed and leaped into his father’s arms as soon as she set foot on the stage. What followed was a testament to the special bond the father-daughter duo shares. The viral moment posted to Clement’s Instagram, @clemsonprez, has won hearts for its ardent nature, viewed over 7.9 million times. 

In the clip, Grace jumps on his father with great enthusiasm, almost pinning him to the ground. A moment of imbalance results in both of them toppling over while the crowds roared cheers. Clements did not wipe the smile off his face as he helped his daughter up. After posing for a photo, the proud father seized the moment with a loving embrace for his daughter, who had just graduated with flying colors. “Grace’s time in @clemsonlife has made a lasting mark—and so has the love and leadership the Clements family brings to this university. Thank you for sharing your hearts with the #ClemsonFamily,” the caption penned. In a speech after, Clements expressed his pride for Grace and all the other ClemenLIFE graduates in achieving this new milestone. 

Later, Clements reminisced about the beautiful moment in a candid interview with TODAY.com. “It was pure joy, total and complete happiness, to see this girl, our beautiful daughter, run across the stage and literally leap into my arms. It was magical," the father said on May 12. When Grace reminded him that he “missed” her, Clement admitted, “I did miss you, I missed you, but then when we fell, we helped each other up.” He said he wanted to turn Grace towards the audience and flaunt his “beautiful” and “amazing” daughter on stage. Their big embrace at the end, the father said, was to let her know “how much I love her.” 

People flooded the comments with messages of support and encouragement. “This is the best!!! Congratulations to all!” wrote a person (@rubysrainbow) while another (@bringing_up_enemy) said, “Oh my heart. From a mama of a daughter with Ds, this is the purest moment I’ve seen in a long time. (And also a glimpse into my future).” “Ok! I’m not crying, you are crying!” quipped a viewer (@deafmotherhood). “Who is cutting onions? And why have I watched this 1000x,” mused @rachelsmith_. 

According to the official site for Clemson University, the ClemsonLIFE program is designed to be a collegiate experience for the youth with intellectual disabilities and prepare them for independence and competitive employment through a combination of academic coursework, jobs, and social skills. In a different interview by WYFF by NBC, Clements shared that Grace is the center of the family. "Everybody rallies around, gathers around, and Grace is right in the middle of everything." Whereas her mother, Beth, acknowledged the graduation as an extraordinary juncture in their lives, as Grace experiences peer life for the first time ever. 

You can follow @clemsonprez on Instagram for more videos.