UT Winter Commencement to be Held Dec. 17

The University of Tampa will hold its 131st commencement Saturday, Dec. 17, at 10 a.m. in the Martinez Athletics Center. The barricades, scaffolding and other construction-related materials that have been a common sight at the center during the fall semester will be removed, allowing clear access to the building from the Pepin Stadium parking lot and West Parking Garage.

There will be 431 graduates — 346 bachelor’s degree candidates and 85 master’s degree candidates. The ceremony is free and open to the public, though seating is limited.

Kathleen Ochshorn, professor of English, is the speaker for commencement. Ochshorn is this year’s recipient of the 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.

Gina Campbell of George Town, Cayman Islands, will introduce the speaker. An accounting major, Campbell served as secretary for the Conduct Board, president of the Red Flag Campaign and vice president of networking for Beta Alpha Psi.

Zachary Smith, a government and world affairs major, will give the challenge to the graduating class. Smith hails from Sanatoga, PA, is an honors student and has appeared on the dean’s list three times during his time at UT.

The Alumni Achievement Award will be given to Brian Smith ’95, co-founder and managing partner of LCG Capital. The Service and Recognition Award will be presented to Linda Devine, vice president of operations and planning at UT.

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 = 431
Countries represented = 30
% of graduates from Florida = 62%

Undergraduates:
Total bachelor’s degree candidates = 346
Magna cum laude (GPA 3.75 or higher, but less than 4.0) = 26
Cum laude (GPA 3.5 or higher, but less than 3.75) = 35
Top 3 most popular undergraduate majors in this class = Accounting, Communications, Biology

Graduate Students:
Total master’s candidates = 85
With honors (GPA 3.9 or higher, but less than 4.0) = 6
With highest honors (GPA 4.0) = 2
MBAs awarded = 46