445 Set to Graduate at UT’s Winter Commencement Dec. 15

The University of Tampa will hold its 133rd commencement Saturday, Dec. 15, at 10 a.m. in the newly re-dedicated Bob Martinez Athletics Center. The ceremony will include 445 graduates, including two associate’s degree candidates, 351 bachelor’s degree candidates and 92 master’s degree candidates.

The ceremony is open to the public, though seating is limited.

Michael Staczar, chair of the Department of Speech, Theater and Dance and associate professor of theatre, is the speaker for the ceremony. Staczar is the recipient of the 2011-2012 Louise Loy Hunter Award, which is given annually by its previous recipients to a UT professor for excellence in teaching and cumulative contributions in service and scholarship.

Jenna Tinney of Naples, FL, will introduce the speaker. A communication major with six internships under her belt, Tinney was a participant and mentor in the Educating Leaders in Today’s Environment (E.L.I.T.E.) program and also served as a mentor in the Baccalaureate Experience Gateways program.

Roger A. Trujillo Cowley of Key Biscayne, FL, will give the challenge to the graduating class. A management major, Trujillo Cowley has worked as a public relations assistant in the UT Office of Admissions and volunteered through UT’s PEACE Volunteer Center at the Ronald McDonald House and Into the Streets service event. He also serves as a member of the Hispanic Organization for Latin Americans (HOLA!).

The National Alumni Association (NAA) will give two awards at the ceremony. The Alumni Achievement Award will be presented to William E. “Bill” Carlson Jr., president of the national public relations and communications consulting firm Tucker/Hall. The Esse Quam Videri Award, the highest award given by the NAA to a graduate of UT, will be presented to Robert C. “Bob” Calafell. Now retired, Calafell had a long and prolific career with the GTE Corporation.

To view a webcast of Saturday’s commencement ceremony, go to www.ut.edu/commencementlive/. Tweet at #UTCommencement.

UT Graduates by the Numbers:

Total graduates = 445
Countries represented = 33
% of graduates from Florida = 49

Undergraduates

Total associate’s degree candidates = 2
Total bachelor’s degree candidates = 351
Summa cum laude (GPA 4.0) = 1
Magna cum laude (GPA 3.75 or higher, but less than 4.0) = 18
Cum laude (GPA 3.5 or higher, but less than 3.75) = 33
Top 3 most popular undergraduate majors in this class = Finance, Accounting, Management and Exercise Science (tied with Accounting and Management)

Graduate students

Total master’s candidates = 92
With honors (GPA 3.9 or higher, but less than 4.0) = 7
With highest honors (GPA 4.0) = 4
MBAs awarded = 44