TAMPA, Fla. (Dec. 6, 2017) – Nearly 5,000 University of South Florida System students will be awarded degrees during fall commencement ceremonies Dec. 8-11. USF System President Judy Genshaft will preside over seven ceremonies, marking the university’s 113th commencement convocation.
The USF Alumni Association’s Outstanding Graduate Award will be presented to a student at each USF System institution. The USF Tampa recipient is Alexis Drees, who will earn a bachelor’s degree in international business, with a concentration in finance and a minor in Chinese. The USF St. Petersburg award winner is Jared Bolton, who is earning a bachelor’s degree in psychology, with minors in business and entrepreneurship. USF Sarasota-Manatee’s recipient is Jaime Hernandez Carranza, who is graduating with a bachelor’s in biology.
Alexis Drees, USF Tampa recipient of Outstanding Graduate Award
Andrew Hamilton, president of New York University, will receive an honorary doctorate of science during the 9 a.m. ceremony on Saturday, Dec. 9.
Patricia Flatley-Brennan, director of the National Library of Medicine, will receive an honorary doctorate of engineering and nursing during the 6 p.m. ceremony on Saturday, Dec. 9.
Jared Bolton, USF St. Petersburg recipient of Outstanding Graduate Award
Facts about the Fall 2017 graduating class
- Total USF System degrees: 4,715
- USF Tampa degrees: 4,028 (2,727 bachelor’s,
1,089 master’s, 199 doctoral, 13 specialist)
- USF St. Petersburg degrees: 495
- USF Sarasota-Manatee degrees: 192
- Students graduating with a 4.0 GPA: 21
- Youngest graduate: Age 19
- Oldest graduate: Age 71
- Student veterans: 211
- U.S. states represented: 47
- Nations represented: 89
Jaime Hernandez Carranza, USF Sarasota-Manatee recipient of Outstanding Graduate Award
Graduates, friends and family attending the ceremonies are encouraged to use #USFGRAD on social media posts. More information is available at usf.edu/commencement.
Andrew Hamilton, honorary doctorate of science degree recipient
Full ceremony information (all held at the USF Sun Dome, unless otherwise noted)
*Friday, Dec. 8, 6 p.m. ceremony includes bachelor’s degree recipients from the College of Arts and Sciences.
*Saturday, Dec. 9, 9 a.m. ceremony includes bachelor’s degree recipients from the College of Arts and Sciences and the Muma College of Business.
Patricia Flatley-Brennan, honorary doctorate of engineering and nursing recipient
*Saturday, Dec. 9, 1:30 p.m. ceremony includes bachelor’s degree recipients from the College of Behavioral and Community Sciences, College of Education, College of Engineering, College of Nursing, College of Public Health, College of The Arts and Undergraduate Studies.
*Saturday, Dec. 9, 6 p.m. ceremony includes master’s, education specialist and doctoral degree recipients.
*Sunday, Dec. 10, 1 p.m. ceremony at the Mahaffey Theater includes graduates from USF St. Petersburg.
*Sunday, Dec. 10, 5 p.m. ceremony at the Mahaffey Theater includes graduates from USF St. Petersburg.
*Monday, Dec. 11, 6:30 p.m. ceremony at the Bradenton Area Convention Center includes graduates from USF Sarasota-Manatee.