Graduation day is a time of achievement and celebration with your closest friends and family members as they watch their loved ones earn their degrees after years of dedication and hard work.
The day consists of kisses, presents, many glasses of Prosecco and hugs.
But for one University of South Wales student, it was hugs for everyone, including the chancellor.
Gabriella Rawson, a student and recent graduate, panicked at her graduation ceremony and hugged the chancellor.
The “iconic” moment has been captured and posted onto TikTok showing Gabriella forgetting the bow as she “panicked and hugged the poor man”.
@gabriellarawson This is going to keep me up at night x #fyp #uswgrad #graduation ♬ Jet2 Advert – A7-BBH | MAN
The video has accumulated over 350k views on TikTok, with the comment section reacting to the moment which Gabriella said will keep her up at night.
The University of South Wales TikTok account commented saying that the unusual yet hilarious moment was “ICONIC”.
The hilarious video also sparked memories in recent graduates minds, who shared their embarrassing graduation stories in the comment section.
One comment read: “LMAO fellow USW alumni here I almost knelt down before him on my graduation.”
Another commenter shared: “I got stage fright and completely walked past our chancellor at my graduation.”
What’s almost worse than panicking on stage in front of the whole graduating class on 2025, is your hug being rejected.
Gabriella provided “proof” of the viral moment where you can see the chancellor not looking as enthusiastic as the graduate for a hug, and another comment which said: “The way he pushed you away, damn.”
At least it was a memorable day which gave the audience something to talk about.
Featured image via Gabriella Rawson on TikTok
