Virtual ceremonies scheduled for May with August in-person ceremonies expanded to accommodate spring graduates  

TAMPA, Fla. (April 7, 2020) – The University of South Florida today announced plans to uniquely recognize the thousands of spring graduates who won’t be able to participate in traditional commencement ceremonies in May due to the coronavirus outbreak.

USF will expand the number of in-person summer commencement ceremonies, tentatively scheduled for Aug. 6-9, to provide spring graduates an opportunity to participate.  Summer commencement plans are contingent upon ongoing guidance from federal, state and local government and public health officials regarding large gatherings.

USF will also host a virtual commencement ceremony in May for each USF campus, featuring recognition of the Outstanding Graduate Award winners and graduates who earned a 4.0 GPA, as would traditionally occur during an in-person ceremony.  The virtual ceremonies will also include remarks from President Steven Currall, each USF campus student body president and other university leaders.  Ceremonies will include conferring of the degrees and the names of each individual graduate on screen.  The ceremonies will be available for viewing beginning on Saturday, May 9, the weekend originally planned for commencement. 

USF is also developing creative plans for graduates to interact from afar via social media.  More details on this campaign will be shared with students soon. 

“I’m deeply sympathetic to our spring 2020 graduates who have had their final semester impacted by the coronavirus in ways no one could have imagined,” Currall said today in messages addressed to students.  “Although traditional on-campus commencement ceremonies won’t be held this May, we have worked diligently to provide alternatives that will give our graduates the recognition they deserve.  We know that nothing will be able to replace a traditional commencement ceremony, but it’s important that we plan several activities to express pride and admiration for our graduates and their accomplishments.”

USF will also make printed copies of the spring commencement ceremony program available to graduates upon request.  

About the University of South Florida

The University of South Florida is a high-impact global research university dedicated to student success. Over the past 10 years, no other public university in the country has risen faster in U.S. News and World Report’s national university rankings than USF. Serving more than 50,000 students on campuses in Tampa, St. Petersburg and Sarasota-Manatee, USF is designated as a Preeminent State Research University by the Florida Board of Governors, placing it in the most elite category among the state’s 12 public universities. USF has earned widespread national recognition for its success graduating under-represented minority and limited-income students at rates equal to or higher than white and higher income students. USF is a member of the American Athletic Conference. Learn more at www.usf.edu.

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