Latest news with #JimClements
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
04-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Clemson Univ. Board of Trustees approves settlement with ACC
(WSPA) – Clemson University's Board of Trustees approved a settlement Tuesday that would bring to an end lawsuits involving the school and the Atlantic Coast Conference. In a special called meeting Tuesday afternoon, the board voted unanimously to allow university president Jim Clements to enter into the settlement. School officials said the settlement provides additional revenue from the league's media rights deal with ESPN. Clemson said that 60% of the base money from the ESPN deal would go into a viewership pool. Money from the viewership pool would be distributed proportionally to schools based on five-year weighted, rolling viewership figures from football and men's basketball. The university said the viewership pool money, along with enhanced 'ACC Success Initiatives' have the opportunity to provide more than $120 million in new revenue for Clemson over the next six years. The settlement also provides a new exit fee schedule and makes it clear that a withdrawing member school would leave with their future media rights. According to Clemson, the current exit fee is around $165 million and would escalate over time. The new exit fee begins at $165 million for fiscal year 2026 but then decreases by $18 million per year until 2030-2031 where it will level off at $75 million. The two sides have been embroiled in lawsuits since March 2024. Under the current deal, the ACC would retain media rights to Clemson University sporting events through 2036, even if they were to leave the conference. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Reuters
04-03-2025
- Business
- Reuters
ACC, Clemson, Florida State settle litigation
March 4 - The Atlantic Coast Conference's ongoing legal disputes with members Clemson and Florida State were settled on Tuesday with a resolution to implement a new revenue distribution model based on TV viewership. The settlement keeps the ACC's 18-member league potentially intact through 2036, when the league's grant of rights contract expires. Penalties for leaving the league before 2036 are reduced significantly -- which was a motivating factor for the initial litigation from the two universities. The ACC board of directors approved the settlement, followed by approval from the boards of trustees for Clemson and FSU. The actions led to the dropping of four lawsuits. "Today's resolution begins the next chapter of this storied league and further solidifies the ACC as a premier conference," ACC Commissioner Jim Phillips said in a statement. "As we look ahead to our collective long-term future, I want to express my deepest appreciation to the ACC Board of Directors for its ongoing leadership, patience and dedication throughout this process. "The league has competed at the highest level for more than 70 years and this new structure demonstrates the ACC embracing innovation and further incentivizing our membership based on competition and viewership results. The settlements, coupled with the ACC's continued partnership with ESPN, allow us to focus on our collective future -- including Clemson and Florida State -- united in an 18-member conference demonstrating the best in intercollegiate athletics." FSU first sued the league in December 2023 followed by Clemson. The ACC countersued both schools. FSU's lawsuit came after the Seminoles failed to reach the then-four-team College Football Playoff despite being undefeated, which the university blamed on the ACC. Before the settlement, conference members could be penalized as much as $700 million to leave, according to FSU's attorneys. Under the new terms, the exit fee will be $165 million in fiscal year 2026 and decreased by $18 million per year to a floor of $75 million in 2030-31 and beyond, according to a presentation made at Clemson's board meeting, The Athletic reported. The schools also were concerned with league revenues falling too far behind those of the SEC and Big Ten, per media reports. The league said in Tuesday's announcement that it will build upon previously announced success or brand initiatives with a component directly focused on annual football and men's basketball viewership. Instead of equal distribution of media rights deals among its members, the league will award bonuses to the most-viewed schools in those sports based on a five-year average of TV ratings. "This settlement allows Clemson to remain nationally competitive at the highest levels and also makes our conference stronger," Clemson President Jim Clements said in the statement. The ACC's revenue-sharing model aligns with a proposal FSU athletic director Michael Alford made 25 months ago. "This is a great path forward that provides every team in the conference the opportunity to reach benchmarks for additional financial distribution," Alford said in a statement on Tuesday. "FSU and the ACC have benefitted from more than 30 years of partnership. This solution, forged collaboratively by FSU, Clemson, and the ACC is a testament to our ability to work together to proactively address necessary actions for future success."
