A police officer in full riot gear who receives a “free hug” from a peace demonstrator amid the turbulent protesting in Charlotte, N.C. is Chris Frunzi, Hilbert College Class of 2006.  The video, from Free Hugs Project, has been viewed 32 million times and growing!

Frunzi returned to Hamburg (on planned visit to surprise his parents, both Hilbert alums as well) and they all stopped by the Hilbert campus on Monday, Sept. 26.  They visited with Coach deGrandpre (right), among others on campus during the day.

He was also recently featured in a Buffalo News article and on WKBW-TV.

Frunzi is a former men's basketball player and cross country runner for the Hawks.

Click here to view the viral video!