An usher working at the University of Florida's graduation ceremony was caught manhandling black grads as they walked up on stage to receive their degrees.
The school has since issued an apology in response to the very apparent mistreatment of its graduating students. "During one of this weekend’s commencement ceremonies, we were inappropriately aggressive in rushing students across the stage. I personally apologize, and am reaching out to the students involved," wrote University of Florida's president W. Kent Fuchs on Twitter.
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"The practice has been halted for all future ceremonies, and we will work to make sure all graduating students know we are proud of their achievements and celebrate with them their graduation," Fuchs continued to note.
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Online videos reveal an unidentified white usher actively forcing black students off the stage as they took a few seconds to celebrate their achievements by dancing for the hoards of attendees or performing other triumphal gestures.
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Oliver Telusma was one of the graduates who has since opened up about his experience being mistreated. "I had just started … and he picked me up and turned me around, which I thought was kind of embarrassing and degrading to be handled in that manner," he admits.
