WEST MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, Fla.-- It was a graduation ceremony Can Cevik will never forget. But he says it's the moments before commencement that left a lasting memory -- and it's all thanks to his custom graduation cap.
"I decorated it with an Arduino, which is sort of like a small computer that you can program," he said.
The FIU computer engineering major used his coding skills to program that mini computer to spell out "F-I-U 2019."
But when he walked up to the Ocean Bank Convocation Center Monday evening, campus cops thought he was trying to go out with a bang.
"He tells me to put it on the floor and slowly back away from it," Cevik recalled.
They also grabbed his phone and asked him to empty his pockets.
FIU police say the exposed wires and battery raised a few red flags. And even though it was harmless, the officer at the entrance were not taking any chances.
"While that seems very innocent and looks very innocent, it also has the potential to scare people. Police officers spotted it and took necessary precautions," FIU Police Capt. Delrish Moss said.
Luckily, it didn't take long for police to figure it all out and it didn't delay the ceremony.
Cevik was only held up for about 20 minutes. And he was able to walk as scheduled wearing a replacement cap. "I honestly think I was being a bit too naive. I probably should have seen that considering the current political climate we are in."
Unfortunately, police weren't able to give back his custom cap. But he says after five years of hard work, getting his degree is all that matters. And nothing could put a damper on his graduation day. Not even a brief bomb scare. "A couple hours before graduation, I just taped it right on my cap, and I guess that's what made it look a bit sketchy maybe. I probably won't bring anything like this to a graduation or any other public event again."
Cevik said after that ordeal, his focus now is on finding a job.
