Video shows student sprinting across stage with baby to receive diploma as police chases
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Graduate evades police with infant son
The crowd cheered as a graduate student at University at Buffalo ran up the stage holding his infant son with police in tow.
A graduating student at the University at Buffalo in New York caused quite a stir as he sprinted across the stage with his baby son to accept his diploma, all while being chased by the police.
University at Buffalo's College of Arts and Sciences commencement ceremony livestream captured the graduate, Paul Al Arab, as he ran onto the stage holding his son with a police officer chasing after him.
Upon reaching the stage, Al Arab shook hands with those onstage and collected his diploma before pumping his fist in the air as the audience cheered him on. The police officer, meanwhile, could be seen walking behind him. Both the father and son were dressed in matching blue caps and gowns.
Why police chasing Al Arab?
Al Arab, who graduated with a bachelor's degree in criminology, according to WGRZ, also posted the clip of the incident on TikTok and shared what went down behind the scenes.
'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 said in the caption of the video, which played a snippet from Kendrick Lamar's "Not Like Us" performance during the 2025 Super Bowl Halftime Show in the background. 'And here I am, graduating, with my boy by my side. WE DID IT!'
Shortly after the video started gaining traction on social media, Al Arab added a note explaining what went down on the May 19 ceremony.
'Hey, I just want to explain what happened since a lot of people have been asking," Al Arab wrote. "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. 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 says Al Arab's son didn't earn 'enough credits to receive a diploma'
University at Buffalo, in a statement, addressed the incident, saying the "graduating senior ignored multiple directives from university event staff and UB Police, ran away from officers, 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 to the stage with the infant in his arms, the graduate's actions were a violation of commencement rules which clearly state that 'only graduating students may participate in the graduation ceremony, including walking in the processional and crossing the stage'," the statement continued.
The university said the graduate, in an email, apologized for the disruption and that the university will not be penalizing him, adding that commencement rules are in place for the safety of all those in attendance.
"The graduate who broke the rules on Sunday will not be penalized and will still receive his degree from the university," the statement said.
"The infant, despite crossing the stage in a cap and gown, has not yet earned enough credits to receive a diploma," the college added. "We hope to see him back on stage in about 20 years so he can follow in his dad's footsteps."
Al Arab creates GoFundMe to support student parents
Following the incident, Al Arab is using his virality to spotlight student parents and help those struggling to complete their education while fulfilling their parental duties by setting up a GoFundMe with an aim to raise $10,000.
"Balancing two jobs, being a full-time dad, and pursuing my education has been challenging, but I promised my son that I would walk that stage with him," Al Arab said in the fundraiser's description. "It symbolized every sacrifice and sleepless night."
Al Arab maintained he was allowed to walk onto the stage with a baby.
"No one objected, so I didn't see a reason to double-check," Al Arab said. "I've seen others walk with their babies at graduations before, so it didn't seem like a big deal. That's why I was surprised when they tried to stop me and involved campus police."
Thanking his professors and audience members for their support, Al Arab said he did not mean to "cause a scene" and that he has "a lot of respect for UB and my professors."
"I was just a proud dad, keeping a promise," he said. "It's time we normalize seeing fathers in these moments. Being active, present, and proud shouldn't be surprising. It should be celebrated just like we do for moms."
Saman Shafiq is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at sshafiq@gannett.com and follow her on X and Instagram @saman_shafiq7.
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