Latest news with #ClemsonLIFE
Yahoo
17-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
College President Knocked Over by Graduating Daughter Recalls 'Magical' Moment — and How It Inspired a New Nickname (Exclusive)
Clemson University President Jim Clements and his daughter Grace shared a special moment during her graduation from the ClemsonLife Program earlier this month He and his wife Beth reflect on Grace's life story, and how they hope it will inspire others, in an exclusive interview with PEOPLE Grace now has a new nickname for her dad after they toppled each other at the school event: "Butterfingers"For Clemson University President Jim Clements, watching his daughter sprint across the graduation stage to receive her diploma — only to accidentally topple them both as she leapt into his arms for a hug — was a "magical" moment. 'She literally just sprinted. I've never seen her run that fast," Jim tells PEOPLE. 'I would let her tackle me a thousand, million times over to see the joy in her face when she did it.' On May 8, Grace Clements graduated from the ClemsonLife (Learning Is for Everyone) Program, which teaches independence and job skills to students with intellectual disabilities. 'I was in dad-mode. I just wanted to show her to everybody, and then give her the biggest hug and let her know that I love her and that I'm proud of her," Jim recalls. After he and Grace both toppled over, the father-daughter pair quickly recovered and helped each other up — but Grace says that after what happened, she has a new nickname for her dad: "Butterfingers." 'He didn't even catch me," she jokes. Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. Jim's wife Beth Clements says Grace and her classmates learned essentials for living alone, getting along with roommates and finding meaningful work at ClemsonLIFE. 'They're learning really how to live with each other, just like a typical student, but their apartments are a whole lot cleaner, I promise you, because that's part of their curriculum,' she says. 'I believe it's changing our family in a generational way." 'It's been beautiful to see all the friends that Grace has made,' Jim adds, as Beth details that their daughter is in the same sorority that her sister and sister-in-law were a part of at Clemson, and she is also the manager of the softball team. 'And they love her,' Jim explains. Beth is now encouraging parents of children with special needs to start researching college programs when their kids are young, so they can best understand the requirements necessary to apply. 'I think if Jim and I had known that there were LIFE programs, we would've changed things earlier and worked a little bit more diligently, thinking there was hope outside of our home,' she tells PEOPLE. And while they're proud of Grace's graduation, Beth emphasizes that students with special needs don't need to finish college or get special certifications in order to feel successful. 'We want to celebrate all their accomplishments, all of our students that learn differently," she says. Jim estimates that he shook close to 6,000 hands during commencement week. He says he was touched by the students who shared how much Grace means to them. (In fact, there's now a scholarship at Clemson University in her name.) 'One that stayed with me was, 'Thank you for sharing Grace with us,' as a student crossed the stage,' Jim recalls. Looking back at the onstage fumble between Grace and Jim, Beth admits she was initially worried they might both be injured, but she says it was meaningful to be able to see her daughter have so much joy. 'When Grace was getting diagnosed with several different things, I felt like we were letting go of certain dreams like marriage and prom and college, and then came to find out this exists,' she says. 'Clemson LIFE exists, as well as others. God restored a dream and let her go.' Read the original article on People
Daily Mail
13-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Heartwarming moment Clemson University's president is knocked over by his graduating daughter
Clemson University's president was knocked clean off his feet by his daughter in a moment of pure love at the school's graduation ceremony. The unexpected outburst of emotion stunned a packed arena on May 8, with the happy moment quickly going viral on social media. Jim Clements braced for impact as his youngest daughter, Grace, dashed across the stage in her cap and gown and with arms outstretched, locked eyes on her father. With a joyful leap Grace launched herself into her father's arms, toppling him backwards to rousing cheers from the thousands that had gathered to support their loved ones graduating from the ClemsonLIFE program - a collegiate initiative for students with intellectual disabilities. President Clements described the jump into his arms as 'magical.' 'It was pure joy, total and complete happiness,' he said on the Today show on Monday. 'To see this girl, our beautiful daughter, run across the stage and literally leap into my arms... it was magical.' Beside him, Grace, still riding high from her emotional milestone, laughed and chimed in: 'You missed me!' Grace was graduating the school's ClemsonLIFE program - a program for students with intellectual disabilities 'I did miss you,' her father replied. 'But then when we fell, we helped each other up. And I wanted to turn her to the audience and let everyone see how beautiful and amazing she is. 'Then, I wanted to give her a big huge hug to let her know how much I love her.' The moment was caught on video and quickly uploaded to President Clements' Instagram, where it exploded with more than 220,000 likes, shares, and comments from Clemson students, alumni, and strangers alike. 'ClemsonLIFE teaches independence, job skills… and apparently, how to sack a university president. #DadDown #BestGraduationEver #AmazingGrace' Clements joked in the caption. Grace, affectionately nicknamed 'Amazing Grace' by her father, is more than a proud graduate but a shining symbol of the ClemsonLIFE program's mission to equip students with intellectual disabilities for independent living, employment, and full participation in society. According to the Clemson University website, the ClemsonLIFE program offers 'a collegiate experience that prepares young men and women with intellectual disabilities for competitive employment and independent living through a combination of academic coursework and career exploration.' There was an outpouring of love online following the tumble. 'This is why I love my school. This was a daddy/daughter moment, not her and the president. I love how he went with it and how proud he is,' wrote one. 'This might be one of my all-time favorite moments in history!!' added another. 'Who is cutting onions? And why have I watched this 1000x?,' wrote a third. A university spokesperson said the moment captured the very soul of the ClemsonLIFE program and the community it's built. 'The program not only changes lives but also enriches the entire Clemson Family with its spirit of compassion, empowerment and celebration. 'Every milestone - whether it's on-the-job training, having fun at a tailgate, or simply mastering a new life skill - is a testament to what's possible when opportunity and support meet the drive to succeed.' The family appeared together on the Today Show on Monday morning as they recounted the 'magical' moment at the graduation The family celebrated Grace's achievement at a party following her graduation The statement also noted the symbolism of the father-daughter moment. 'For all of our Clemson students, graduation is a new beginning, and seeing Grace embrace her dad - our University President - embodied the moment of exhilaration felt by each of our 5,270 new Clemson alums as they begin the next chapter of their lives.'
12-05-2025
- Entertainment
Clemson president gets 'joyful tackle' from graduating daughter
When Grace Clements graduated from Clemson University, she ran across the stage toward her dad, university President Jim Clements, who had the distinct honor of presenting her with her degree. The Clementses shared a big bear hug that quickly turned into a loving tackle, as the father-daughter duo took a tumble onstage. The lighthearted moment was captured in a video that Clemson University later shared on YouTube. "Grace's emotional hug (and joyful tackle!) captured hearts and reminded us all why Clemson is more than a university -- it's a family," the South Carolina school captioned the video. In an Instagram post, Jim Clements, a father of four, called his daughter "Amazing Grace." "Amazing Grace walked the stage and I hit the turf!" the proud dad wrote. "And I wouldn't change a thing. Watching all that Grace has accomplished during her time with ClemsonLIFE is one of the greatest joys of my life. I can't wait to see what she achieves next." He added in another video post, "ClemsonLIFE teaches independence, job skills… and apparently, how to sack a university president. #DadDown #BestGraduationEver #AmazingGrace." Grace Clements graduated alongside 14 other students from the ClemsonLIFE program, which offers students with intellectual disabilities a post-secondary education focused on job skills and independent living, according to the university. In a short school profile, Grace Clements said she especially loved managing Clemson's softball team and cheering on the school's athletes when she was a student. She added that she plans to attend ClemsonLIFE's Hospitality Certificate Program after graduation.
Washington Post
10-05-2025
- General
- Washington Post
Clemson president tackled with hug at graduation: ‘Best video ever'
When Grace Clements walked across the stage at her university's commencement ceremony this week, she leaped onto the school president and gave him a giant bear hug — bringing him straight to the ground. Jim Clements, the president of Clemson University, is Grace Clements's father. Grace Clements, 25, just graduated from the school's ClemsonLIFE program, a postsecondary degree for students with intellectual disabilities.
Yahoo
10-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Clemson president is bowled over by his daughter's big moment
Clemson University President James Clements was floored -- literally -- by his daughter's college graduation Thursday. In a now-viral video, Grace Clements excitedly runs and embraces her father, bringing him down as the two tumble on the stage, both smiling. The crowd roars with applause as Clements helps his daughter back up, kisses her on the head next to her graduation cap and hugs her once again. Clements' youngest daughter graduated alongside eight other students from the ClemsonLIFE program for people with intellectual disabilities. "ClemsonLIFE teaches independence, job skills… and apparently, how to sack a university president. #DadDown," the Clemson president wrote in an Instagram post. ClemsonLIFE is designed for students who want a college campus experience, with functional academics, independent living and employment and social skills. "Grace's hug (and tackle!) was full of heart—and a perfect reminder of what makes this place so special," the university wrote in a Facebook post. The program went viral in the fall of 2024 when a video of ClemsonLIFE junior Charlie McGee accepted a bid at his first-choice fraternity, Pi Kappa Alpha (PIKE). The PIKE members all rushed to surround Charlie, jumping and celebrating the newest addition to their brotherhood. Grace was also involved in Greek life at Clemson, a member of the Alpha Chi Omega sorority for three years. "What a privilege it has been having @skittles_mom as our sister for the past 3 years," the sorority posted for Grace's graduation. "We love you SO much and can't wait to see all you accomplish!" This article was originally published on
