A graduating student at the University at Buffalo was chased by police during the commencement ceremony for carrying his infant son on stage - but the school had the last laugh in the now-viral incident.
Jean Paul Al Arab's celebratory walk across stage during his graduation last week descended into chaos when police began trailing and chasing him - all because he was proudly holding his son while accepting his diploma.
The university first claimed the graduate broke protocol and repeatedly ignored instructions not to bring his son on stage.
Then they questioned the child's academic credentials in a light-hearted follow-up.
'The infant, despite crossing the stage in a cap and gown, has not yet earned enough credits to receive a diploma,' university officials wrote in a statement obtained by People.
'We hope to see him back on stage in about 20 years so he can follow in his dad's footsteps.'
Al Arab was set to receive his bachelor's degree in criminology and ring in the end of his college journey on May 18 during the spring graduation ceremony, WGRZ News reported.
For the young father, however, the moment was less about being handed the diploma and more about keeping a heartfelt promise to his son.
During a commencement prep session last semester, Al Arab asked if he could walk across stage with his son at the ceremony. The school's response: 'No one's gonna tell you no'.
Nevertheless, when the day arrived, his plans were abruptly derailed when event staff stopped him, citing a university policy listed on its website that stated only graduates were allowed on stage.
'They said it was a safety hazard. They don't want the baby onstage,' Al Arab told WGRZ, speaking about the moment in particular.
It was at this moment that he was faced with a choice: comply with the rule or honor his promise - and he chose the latter.
'I won't walk then. I won't be walking,' he said. 'And I ran, that's what I did. I had to. I promised him I was gonna walk with him on stage. I had to walk with him on the stage, or run with him on the stage.'
In the video that has been viewed more than six million times on TikTok, Al Arab is seen rushing across the stage with his infant in hand, desperately trying to evade officers and event staff attempting to stop him from walking.
Clearly a bit disheveled by the time he reached the stage, the father picked up his dropped cap and made his way to shake hands with officials - his son still in his arms, fittingly dressed in a matching blue cap and gown.
Fortunately, he managed to reach center stage, narrowly slipping past the grasps of those trying to stop him - a moment that has been widely celebrated after he shared the footage online.
'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,' Al Arab wrote in the caption of the clip he shared to TikTok on Monday.
'And here I am, graduating, with my boy by my side,' he added. 'WE DID IT! #ub #commencement #baby #graduation.'
Despite the chaotic scene, the crowd erupted in applause as Al Arab joyfully fist-bumped the air after receiving his diploma.
In a second caption over the video he shared, Al Arab wrote: 'Hey, I just want to explain what happened since a lot of people have been asking. During a prep class for commencement, I asked if I could walk with my baby and they told me it was fine'.
'But when the time came, they tried to stop me and even called the police,' he added.
'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 - so thank you.'
University at Buffalo denied Al Arab's account, instead claiming that police were never 'called' to the commencement, as reported by People.
According to the university, the police were already present at the commencement as part of standard procedure, to enforce university rules if needed.
While Al Arab's touching walk sparked cheers from hundreds in the auditorium, it left a negative impression on the university, which claimed he had violated the school's policies.
In a statement obtained by People, the school reiterated that the graduate 'had ignored multiple directives from university event staff and UB Police and broke commencement rules by bringing an infant onto the commencement stage at Alumni Arena'.
'While the situation created a light-hearted moment for the thousands in attendance who cheered on as the graduate took the stage with the infant in his arms, the graduate's actions were a violation of commencement rules,' it added.
The rules in question, according to the university, 'clearly state that only gradating students may participate in the graduation ceremony, including walking in the processional and crossing the stage'.
The following afternoon, Al Arab sent an apology email to commencement officials, who assured him that he would not be 'penalized' for the incident and would 'still receive his degree from the university', People reported.
Despite the memorable - and now viral - graduation moment, the story between Al Arab and the University at Buffalo is far from over. Any tensions appeared to have cooled, as he plans to return to campus to pursue his master's degree.
'I have nothing against UB,' Al Arab told WGRZ. 'I love UB. I graduated from UB, I'm getting my master's at UB. It's a great college. I love my professors - everyone'.
