The oldest graduate is an 81-year-old earning a PhD
TAMPA, Fla. (April 30, 2018) – The University of South Florida System will confer more than 7,000 degrees during spring commencement ceremonies, May 3-7. USF System President Judy Genshaft will preside over a total of ten ceremonies, marking the university’s 114thcommencement convocation.
Spring 2018 graduating class by the numbers
USF Tampa: 6,216 degrees conferred (4,532 bachelor’s degrees)
USF St. Petersburg: 507
USF Sarasota-Manatee: 317
States represented: 50
Nations represented: 100+
Students with a 4.0 GPA: 42
Student veterans: 240
The oldest graduate is John Voelpel, 81, who will earn a PhD in philosophy. Voelpel spent a career practicing environmental law before returning to graduate school at USF. He hopes to continue to be involved in environmental issues through research, writing and education.
The youngest graduate is an 18-year-old who will be awarded a bachelor’s degree in biomedical sciences.
Graduates and attendees are encouraged to use #USFGRAD on social media posts. More information is available at usf.edu/commencement.
Possible stories for media consideration
–Jonathan and Matthew Willman, twins who maintain 4.0 GPAs, will graduate with bachelor’s degrees in biomedical sciences. The Willmans took every one of their classes together at USF and both hope to attend the same medical school, though they will likely pursue different specialties.
–Meredith Bissette, a USF softball player who was first diagnosed with a rare form of bone cancer during her sophomore year. Now cancer-free after more than two years of surgeries and chemotherapy treatments, Bissette will graduate alongside her friends and teammates.
–Dr. Jeffrey Krischer, USF professor and international leader in type 1 diabetes and other autoimmune diseases research, will receive the President’s Global Leadership Award. Krischer is often listed among the most funded National Institutes of Health investigators, with his cumulative awards exceeding $500 million.
Full commencement schedule (all held at the USF Sun Dome, unless otherwise noted)
- Thursday, May 3, 6 p.m. ceremony includes bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degree candidates from the Colleges of Nursing, Public Health, Pharmacy and the Morsani College of Medicine. Terry Fulmer, an internationally known expert in geriatric nursing, will receive an honorary doctorate of nursing.
- Friday, May 4, 9 a.m. ceremony includes bachelor’s degree candidates from the College of Arts and Sciences. Dakota Becker-Greene, who will earn dual bachelor’s degrees in biomedical sciences and psychology, will be recognized with the USF Alumni Association’s Outstanding Graduate Award.
- Friday, May 4, 1:30 p.m. ceremony includes bachelor’s degree candidates from the College of Arts and Sciences.
- Friday, May 4, 6 p.m. ceremony includes master’s, specialist and doctoral degree candidates from the Colleges of Arts and Sciences, Behavioral and Community Sciences and the Muma College of Business.
- Saturday, May 5, 9 a.m. ceremony includes bachelor’s degree candidates from the Muma College of Business and the College of Community and Behavioral Sciences.
- Saturday, May 5, 1:30 p.m. ceremony includes bachelor’s degree candidates from the Colleges of Education, Engineering, The Arts and Undergraduate Studies. Victor Poirier, an internationally recognized innovator, will receive an honorary doctorate of engineering.
- Saturday, May 5, 6 p.m. ceremony includes master’s, specialist and doctoral degree candidates from the Colleges of Education, Engineering, Marine Science, Graduate Studies, Patel College of Global Sustainability and The Arts. Well-known architect and educator Daniel Libeskind will receive an honorary doctorate of architecture and Krischer will receive the President’s Global Leadership Award.
- Sunday, May 6, 1 p.m. ceremony includes bachelor’s and master’s degree candidates from the USF St. Petersburg College of Arts and Sciences. The ceremony will be held at the Mahaffey Theater.
- Sunday, May 6, 5 p.m. ceremony includes bachelor’s and master’s degree candidates from the USF St. Petersburg Kate Tiedemann College of Business and the College of Education. The ceremony will be held at the Mahaffey Theater.
- Monday, May 7, 6:30 p.m. ceremony for bachelor’s and master’s degree candidates from USF Sarasota-Manatee. The ceremony will be held at the Bradenton Area Convention Center.
About the University of South Florida System
The University of South Florida System is a high-impact, global research system dedicated to student success. The USF System includes three institutions: USF; USF St. Petersburg; and USF Sarasota-Manatee. The institutions are separately accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. All institutions have distinct missions and their own detailed strategic plans. Serving over 49,000 students, the USF System has an annual budget of $1.6 billion and an annual economic impact of $4.4 billion. USF is a member of the American Athletic Conference.