University of Tampa Fall Commencement Saturday, Dec. 17

The University of Tampa will hold its 143rd commencement Saturday, Dec. 17, at 9:30 a.m. in the Bob Martinez Athletics Center. The ceremony will include 518 graduates, including 391 bachelor’s degree candidates and 127 master’s degree candidates.

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

Jeff Skowronek, associate professor of psychology and director of undergraduate research and inquiry, is the speaker for the ceremony. Skowronek is the recipient of the 2015-2016 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.

Jacob Van Loon ’16, of Simsbury, CT, will introduce the speaker. Van Loon is graduating with a dual bachelor’s degree in business entrepreneurship and writing. He held multiple positions in Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity, was an executive member of Student Government and was a research assistant in the John P. Lowth Entrepreneurship Center.

Cristina Muyshondt, of El Salvador, will give the challenge to the graduating class. An international and cultural studies major, Muyshondt was the student coordinator of diversity and inclusion in the Office of Student Leadership and Engagement, president of the Student Environmental Action Coalition, a member of the President’s Leadership Fellows and a member of the Diplomats.

In the days leading up to the ceremony, several departments will hold hooding ceremonies for their master’s degree candidates:

Thursday, Dec. 15:
- Department of Education hooding ceremony, 6 p.m., Plant Hall Music Room
Friday, Dec. 16:
- Department of Nursing hooding and pinning ceremony, noon, Plant Hall Grand Salon (by invitation only)
- Department of Health Sciences and Human Performance hooding ceremony, 1 p.m., Plant Hall Fletcher Lounge
- Sykes College of Business hooding and awards ceremony, 6 p.m., Plant Hall Fletcher Lounge
- M.S. in Instructional Design and Technology hooding ceremony, 6 p.m., Plant Hall Music Room

View a live webcast of Saturday’s commencement ceremony. Tweet at #utampa.

UT Graduates by the Numbers:

Total graduates = 518
Countries represented = 41
% of graduates from Florida = 48

Undergraduate students
Total bachelor’s degree candidates = 391
Summa cum laude (GPA 4.0) = 2
Magna cum laude (GPA 3.75 or higher, but less than 4.0) = 27
Cum laude (GPA 3.5 or higher, but less than 3.75) = 56
Top 3 most popular undergraduate majors in this class = Accounting, Management, Communication and Human Performance (tie for third)

Graduate students
Total master’s candidates = 127
With honors (GPA 3.9 or higher, but less than 4.0) = 8
With highest honors (GPA 4.0) = 11
MBAs awarded = 52