Alumna turns her graduation day into a surprise for her father
At Clemson University, where many time-honored traditions exist, the Ring Ceremony has become a rite of passage for many students. Anticipation of receiving their Clemson Ring runs high as the day they can publicly wear their Clemson pride approaches.
For one alumna, the ceremony marked a different milestone. Grace White ’22 grew up learning about Clemson from her father, Clay White ’87, so when it was time for her to apply to college, Clemson was her top choice. “Being a Clemson alum is such a big part of who my dad is,” Grace said, “and I wanted to have that kind of pride in my college, too.”
When Grace decided to attend Clemson, Clay said: “I was so happy because I knew Grace would thrive in the family atmosphere that Clemson offers. I couldn’t wait for her to become a fellow Tiger.”
Naturally, when Grace received her Clemson Ring at the Ring Ceremony in April 2022, Clay was there to cheer for his daughter. What he didn’t know at the time was that Grace had realized she wanted to share the ring tradition with her dad, who had not been able to purchase a ring when he was a student.
“Dad had mentioned occasionally throughout the years that he wished he had a Clemson Ring, and it struck me at the Ring Ceremony that I could do that for him,” Grace said.
So, during the summer before her December graduation, while carrying a full course load, Grace began working 40 hours a week, in addition to taking on freelance graphic design projects, to save money to buy her father’s ring. She presented it to him on her graduation day, having only alerted her mother to her plan.
“On a day that was supposed to be all about Grace, she totally surprised me,” Clay said. “I knew that she had worked so hard that summer before, but I had no idea that she was saving to buy me the ring.”
Clay said it felt like he had come full circle 35 years after his own graduation.
“There I was, so proud of my daughter for all she has accomplished, and then she gave me my ring. It was so special and a memory I’ll always cherish,” he said. “I wear my ring with pride and gratitude for all that Clemson has given me and my family.”
