Graduation Surprise: Student Lifts University President in Celebration

In a spontaneous moment of joy at the University of Michigan’s commencement ceremony, graduate Javier Morales lifted President Santa Ono off the ground in an enthusiastic bear hug before spinning him around. The viral moment capped Morales’ unlikely journey from first-generation college student to mechanical engineering graduate.

“I just got caught up in the moment,” Morales said afterward. President Ono took it in stride, tweeting: “Best. Commencement. Ever.”