University Graduate Chased on Stage by Police While Holding Infant During Chaotic Ceremony

Small acts of defiance frequently show up during graduation ceremonies.

It’s like a rite of passage for some students, and as long as things don’t go too far — what’s the problem?

But sometimes the Police get involved.

That’s what happened this past Sunday when the University of Buffalo held a commencement ceremony for it’s law school.

Yep — the cops were on hand to keep the unruly law students in check, as well as campus security.

And one criminology student put them to the test, and wound up going viral to the tune of 8 MILLION combined views over the last few days.

The police and security were on hand…

But they weren’t fast enough to catch Jean Paul Al Arab when he launched himself on stage — one hand holding his infant son, the other outstretched for the congratulatory handshake — and to receive his diploma.

They weren’t fast enough to catch him until he had his diploma in hand, because like Forest Gump on a long stretch of road… Jean Paul Al Arab was ‘RUUNNNIIINNGGG’!

Here’s one angle of the event taken by someone in the crowd:

@emmagochman

Needless to say graduation today eventful! #buffalo #fyp #collegegraduation #UB #universityatbuffalo #bachelors

♬ original sound – Emma Gochman

Don’t worry — I have more video from more angles and the full story.

But if you didn’t notice it, go watch that video again.  Did you see the school officials on stage and ALL the Police Officers smiling?

That’s usually a good sign.  Here’s what happened.

Jean Paul was all set to head towards the stage to receive his diploma for the criminology bachelor’s degree he had completed.

But there was a problem when security and school officials informed him that his previous permission to carry his infant son on stage was ill-informed according to that ever-present issue… SCHOOL POLICY.

So, what did Jean Paul do?  Change his mind, explain to his baby son that there would be a change in plans?

Not a chance.  And so, as you’ve seen in one clip, Jean Paul did his best impression of Forest Gump and lit out for that stage, as reported (though not nearly as colorfully) by the New York Post:

A University at Buffalo graduate and proud father defied school officials as he ran across the stage to receive his diploma with his young son in tow and police in pursuit, according to viral footage that has been viewed over 8 million times.

Al Arab — who celebrated his bachelor’s degree in criminology with his infant son in his arms — ran on stage after the last names were called and took the spotlight with his kid, who wore a blue cap and gown to match his father.

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School security and a police officer attempted to grab the determined graduate, but failed when Al Arab made it on stage and celebrated in front of the raucous crowd.

Al Arab also shook hands with the school administrators on stage before walking off as a police officer waited behind him on stage.

The newly graduated father was met by several officers in the arena as the crowd and other graduates looked on, with some booing the law enforcement response.

“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 all of you who cheered and supported me.” he said, referencing the large crowd inside Alumni Arena.

How about this — here’s another hilarious UP-CLOSE video of the foot pursuit.

And then I’ll fill you in on the backstory.

Here’s an awesome split-screen of the action:

Alright, here’s the backstory.

Jean Paul had previously promised his little boy that they would cross the stage together; thus, the matching outfits.

What — you thought the baby was graduating?  The University actually addressed that issue. (We’ll get there…)

Jean Paul works two jobs (one overnight), earned his bachelor’s degree in criminology in his ABUNDANCE of leisure time (that’s sarcasm right there), and he wanted to share in that glory with his little boy.

(This is the part where Dad’s get choked up.  I’m not crying, you’re crying.)

And so rather than disappoint his little boy and go back on his word, Jean Paul did what a Dad sometimes has to do.

He defied the authorities, and RAN LIKE THE WIND… according to local NBC affiliate WGRZ in Buffalo:

It’s the video that’s been viewed more than six million times on TikTok — a University at Buffalo graduate, sprinting across the stage with his infant son in his arms, as the crowd cheers him on.

Jean Paul Al Arab, originally from Lebanon, graduated with a bachelor’s degree in criminology. But the moment that’s captured so much attention wasn’t about the diploma. Instead, it was about a promise.

“I asked last semester in a commencement prep session if I could walk with my baby, and they were like, ‘Yeah, no one’s gonna tell you no,’” Al Arab said.

But on the day of the ceremony, things changed. Al Arab said he was stopped by event staff, who cited a rule listed on UB’s website that says only graduates are allowed on stage.

“They said it was a safety hazard. They don’t want the baby on stage,” Al Arab said.

That’s when Al Arab made a decision.

“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 the stage.”

“I have nothing against UB. 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.”

As for his son, the tiny “graduate” who stole the spotlight, the university added a final note:

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“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.” (Emphasis added.)

As I said, the University was careful to clear up any misunderstandings in case Jean Paul’s son planned on updating his resume.

And now I think it’s time for another angle of the joyful chaos captured during U of B’s highly eventful commencement ceremony:

Here’s a close-up of the stage:

And here’s a video put out by Jean Paul, explaining in his own words what in the world got in to him:

@jeanpaul_alarab

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! #ub #comencement #baby #graduation

♬ original sound – NFL

If you were wondering, this is not one of those stories that I end with a mini-sermon; at least not a negative sermon.

I’m not going to chastise the ‘unruly graduate’.

I’m not going to wax on (or off) about disrespect, loss of civility, or the implosion of morals, integrity, and common decency.

I’m not going to close this article out with any of that… because that’s the exact opposite of what “I”, for one, see here.

I see a Father keeping his word to his little boy — in spite of potential consequences.

I see a Dad far more interested in sharing a monumental life moment with his son than worrying about what everyone else might think or say — or do.  (And there’s basically no chance anyone gets hurt or even has a bad day as a result.)

I see a hardworking family-oriented leader… teaching his little boy what it means to celebrate when you put it all on the line and go do those HARD THINGS that most of the world will resent you for doing, and resist you while you’re doing it.

And even the Officers, charged with acting in keeping with school policy, and the school officials on stage, SMILING — no, BEAMING — because even while they recognize that a certain protocol must now be obeyed…

They see all the things I just listed, too.  And they instinctively, on the spot, know that it’s an overwhelmingly GOOD thing.

This isn’t one of those bad stories, where the chaos manifests into disruption and problems.

This is one of those better stories — one of the BEST stories — where the goodness and meaningfulness of what actually matters… is what disrupts even the normal propriety of the event in a way that HONORS and gives deference to the things that TRULY matter.

There are plenty of those other stories; there’s a never-ending flow of them.  And we’ll cover them, because they’re news, and because they reveal the signs of the times.

But for me, this story is just as important.  Because it reveals the signs of RESISTANCE… pushing back against the destructive forces defining the age in which we are now living.

To Jean Paul I say, “Good job, Dad”.

Keep it up, and that little boy will grow up to be a man — one with more of an eye to the things that really matter, and less of a need to check all the vain boxes on someone else’s prescribed checklist.

As a post script of sorts…

It is wise to never run from the Police.

But, if you’re going to run from the Police…

Do it carrying you’re infant son, across a stage to get your diploma, and then fist pump like you’re WINNING.

Because you probably are.