It's graduation season, with commencement ceremonies still occurring across the country as we round out the month of May. Last weekend, my grand-nephew graduated college, and his sister and my grand-niece will graduate high school next week. So, lots of celebrations of moments and milestones are occurring all across the country. One unique graduation ceremony occurred last week at Clemson University, where its college president received a delightful surprise through a powerful gesture from his graduating daughter.

Milestones and miracles are the subject of this week's Feel-Good Friday.

Jim Clements has been the president of Clemson University in South Carolina since 2013, where he directs and oversees all aspects of campus life, programming, and financing. One of these programs is ClemsonLIFE (Learning Is For Everyone), a comprehensive postsecondary transition track for students with developmental and intellectual disabilities. Founded in 2009, the program offers the opportunity for these students with special needs to experience college life: the social activities, courses, and to gain social and employment skills--with the goal of living and working independently in the wider world. After 16 years, it has a record of proven success, so much so that Clements enrolled his youngest daughter, Grace, in the two-year module.

Clements' wife, Beth, spoke with People magazine about what a miracle it was for Grace to have this opportunity:

“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.”

And Grace soared, so much so that on May 8, she graduated alongside eight other students from the program, just like any other college kid. As Grace walked across the stage in her robes, Clements beamed with fatherly pride, but was also standing as the college president who shakes hands with every graduating senior. So, he readied himself to greet her with the dignity worthy of the office. 

That went out the window when something unexpected occurred: 

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.

WATCH:

There's a quote often attributed to actress Audrey Hepburn. It says, “Nothing is impossible, the word itself says 'I'm possible'!” A whole new world of possibilities has opened up for Grace Clements, first as a college student and now as she launches fully into adult life. Grace even pledged a sorority and participated in that Greek life while she studied.  

A spokesman for Clemson said this in a statement:

“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.”

The joy, pride, and unbridled delight exuded from that tackle are what have captured people's hearts and imagination, and why the video has gone viral. "Amazing Grace" Clements represents everyone who has conquered the impossible because someone believed in their ability to soar. What an awesome dad she has in Clements, and what an awesome moment.

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