The fall semester is coming to a close at the University of South Florida with almost 4,500 degrees scheduled to be awarded at half a dozen commencement ceremonies this weekend.
During the university's 104th commencement convocation, there will be four ceremonies at the USF Sun Dome on the Tampa campus today and Saturday, along with ceremonies at USF St. Petersburg and USF Sarasota-Manatee Sunday.
USF Tampa: -Friday, Dec. 12, 6 p.m. ceremony will recognize undergraduates from the Colleges of Arts & Sciences. More than 550 graduates are anticipated. -Saturday, Dec. 13, 9 a.m. ceremony will recognize undergraduates from College of Arts and Sciences and College of Business. More than 700 graduates are anticipated. -Saturday, Dec. 13, 1:30 p.m. ceremony will recognize undergraduates from Colleges of Behavioral and Community Sciences, Education, Engineering, Nursing, Public Health, The Arts and Undergraduate Studies. More than 650 graduates are anticipated. -Saturday, Dec. 13, 6 p.m. ceremony will recognize graduate students from all colleges. More than 650 graduates are anticipated. USF Sarasota-Manatee: Sunday, Dec. 14, 2 p.m., Bradenton Area Convention Center, 1 Haben Blvd., Palmetto, FL 34221. USF St. Petersburg: Sunday, Dec. 14 6 p.m., Mahaffey Theatre, 400 1st St S, St Petersburg, FL 33701.
According to USF officials, 4,498 degrees will be awarded, including 3,868 for USF Tampa, 397 for USF St. Petersburg and 193 for USF Sarasota-Manatee. USF Tampa will award 2,832 bachelor’s, 861 master’s and 172 doctoral degrees.
Former USF student, author Gilbert King will receive an Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters at the 6 p.m. ceremony Saturday night. King, who wrote the Pulitzer Prize-winning book, "Devil in the Grove: Thurgood Marshall, the Groveland Boys and the Dawn of a New America,” attended USF from 1981-1984 but fell two credits short of graduating.
In addition, the USF Alumni Association has named three Outstanding Graduates, one for each regional institution:
-John Tuy is the USF Alumni Association’s Outstanding Graduate for USF Tampa. Born in Cambodia, Tuy came to the U.S. with his mother when he was five years old and learned English from his first teacher, who also instilled in him a passion for learning. He’s been recognized by the USF College of Business as one of its “25 Under 25.” The accounting major will graduate with a 3.91 overall GPA. Tuy will be recognized during the 9 a.m. commencement ceremony on Saturday, Dec.13. -Angela Wilson is the USF Alumni Association’s Outstanding Graduate for USF St. Petersburg. While at USFSP, Wilson has held various positions with Student Government and founded a student organization, Everyone’s Education Club. Wilson earned a 3.92 GPA while working outside of school and taking care of her 16-year-old daughter. She plans to start her master’s program at USFSP and teach in Pinellas County. -Stephanie Boynton is the USF Alumni Association’s Outstanding Graduate for USF Sarasota-Manatee. Boynton earned her degree in elementary education while working full-time and raising three sons. She’s also been active with the student organization, S.M.I.L.E. (Sarasota Manatee Inspiring Lifelong Educators) and various organizations at North Port High School. She plans to teach in the Sarasota area.
You can find more information, including a link to a live webstream of the Tampa ceremonies at usf.edu/commencement. Graduates are invited to share their graduation moments from the weekend by using #USFGRAD.
