Pictured above: After COVID-19 forced USF to host virtual or modified commencement ceremonies over the past year, the university has announced that it will return to a traditional, in-person commencement this August for its current and previous graduates.
Courtesy of Aya Diab
By Annalise Anderson
USF announced on Thursday that its recent fall, spring and summer graduates will have an opportunity to walk across the stage during the university’s 124th commencement ceremony in August.
Commencement ceremonies will be held at the Yuengling Center, an indoor arena on the Tampa Campus. Graduates’ names will be announced as they cross the stage and formal graduation portraits will be taken. Tickets for guests will not be required and there is no limit to how many guests each student can bring to the ceremony.
Ceremonies will be held on Aug. 21 for summer 2021 graduates.
Commencement for graduates of the College of Behavioral and Community Sciences, Muma College of Business, Morsani College of Medicine, College of Nursing, Taneja College of Pharmacy and College of Public Health will be held at 9 a.m.
Commencement for graduates of the College of Arts and Sciences, College of Education, College of Engineering, Patel College of Global Sustainability, College of Graduate Studies, College of Marine Science, College of The Arts and the Office of Undergraduate Studies will be held at 1:30 p.m.
After participating in virtual and modified commencements due to COVID-19, fall 2020 and spring 2021 graduates are invited to return for a traditional, in-person ceremony.
USF is tentatively planning to host commencement ceremonies for previous graduates at 6 p.m. on Aug. 21 and at 9 a.m., 1:30 p.m. and 6 p.m. on Aug. 22. USF will announce a finalized ceremonies schedule once it determines the number of returning graduates and guests.
“When USF determined, based on health and safety protocols, that we would hold virtual commencements in 2020, USF leadership made a commitment to invite graduates back to an in-person ceremony when public health conditions allowed us to do so,” wrote President Steve Currall. “We are excited to welcome back our previous graduates and to honor them and their achievements.”
According to the announcement, health and safety remain the university’s top priority. All events are subject to change to reflect any new guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control, public health experts or university officials.
Advanced registration is required for all students and their guests to attend commencement ceremonies. Registration can be done online via USF’s commencement website.
