The University of South Florida recognized thousands of summer graduates through virtual commencement ceremonies today. Nearly 3,000 degrees were conferred in the university’s second-ever virtual ceremonies, caused by restrictions on large gatherings due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The summer 2020 class featured 11 undergraduate students who held a perfect 4.0 GPA, 110 student veterans and graduates from 48 states and more than 70 nations. There were five 19-year-old graduates, including one who earned a master’s degree, and the oldest graduate was a 71 year old earning a doctoral degree in sociology.
USF President Steven Currall presided over the ceremonies, which also included remarks from USF Provost Ralph Wilcox, USF student body president Claire Mitchell and college deans. Deans or appropriate delegates read the names of each graduate by college. In addition, the Outstanding Graduate Award winner and undergraduates who earned a 4.0 GPA received special recognition. The ceremonies were available for viewing beginning at 9 a.m. through the USF commencement website.
Like spring 2020 graduates, USF’s summer graduates have been invited to participate in a future, traditional in-person commencement ceremony that will resume when COVID-19 conditions allow for large gatherings.