by A graduation ceremony at the University at Buffalo took an unexpected and heartwarming turn when a student, holding his baby son in his arms, was chased across the stage by campus police—sparking cheers from the crowd and a viral TikTok moment that’s captured national attention, including in far-off places like Wyoming.
On May 19, Jean Paul Al Arab shared a TikTok video of his May 18 commencement, showing him running onstage cradling his young son—both dressed in matching blue caps and gowns. Behind him, a campus police officer followed closely as the audience erupted in applause. Al Arab shook hands with faculty, raised a celebratory fist in the air, and embraced the moment with pride.
In his post, Al Arab explained, “I’m a full-time student, working two jobs—one of them overnight—and taking care of my son during the day until his mom gets home from work. And here I am, graduating, with my boy by my side. WE DID IT!”
He added an explanation over the video: “I asked during a prep class if I could walk with my baby—they said it was fine. But when the time came, they tried to stop me and even called the police. They tried to escort me out, but honestly, the only reason they let me go was because of all of you who cheered and supported me.”
The University at Buffalo later issued a statement clarifying that police were not specifically called to remove Al Arab. Instead, officers were already present at the ceremony for routine safety enforcement. According to the university, Al Arab “ignored multiple directives” and violated commencement rules stating only graduates are allowed onstage.
Despite the stir, the university confirmed Al Arab would still receive his bachelor’s degree in criminology—and wouldn’t face any penalties. He later apologized in an email to the administration.
As for his baby son, the university ended its statement with a lighthearted note: “The infant, despite crossing the stage in a cap and gown, has not yet earned enough credits to receive a diploma. We hope to see him back on stage in about 20 years so he can follow in his dad’s footsteps.”
From New York to Wyoming and beyond, the moment struck a chord—reminding everyone that sometimes, a father’s love makes for the most unforgettable graduation speech of all.
