UT to Hold Winter Commencement Dec. 13

The University of Tampa will hold its 139th commencement Saturday, Dec. 13, at 9:30 a.m. in the Bob Martinez Athletics Center. The ceremony will include 450 graduates, including 349 bachelor’s degree candidates and 101 master’s degree candidates.

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

Cathy Kessenich, professor of nursing and director of the undergraduate nursing and Master of Science in nursing programs, is the speaker for the ceremony. Kessenich is the recipient of the 2013-2014 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.

Melissa P. Guarino of Indialantic, FL, will introduce the speaker. A psychology major, Guarino was a member of the President’s Leadership Fellows, the volunteer coordinator for the PEACE Volunteer Center and active in Delta Zeta sorority and the Catholic Student organization.

Randy Alexander Lallkissoon of Fairfield, CT, will deliver the challenge to the graduating class. A communication major, Lallkissoon is active in Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia fraternity and the National Residence Hall Honorary. He participated in three internships and was an active volunteer.

The Alumni Association will give the Alumni Achievement Award to Robert “Bob” Clifford ’86, vice president and Tampa Bay region manager at Parsons Brinckerhoff. The Alumni Achievement Award recognizes UT alumni who have made great accomplishments in their chosen careers or civic involvements.

The day before the ceremony, the Sykes College of Business and the Department of Nursing will hold hooding ceremonies for their master’s candidates. The nursing department will have a hooding and pinning ceremony at noon in Plant Hall, Grand Salon (by invitation only), and the Sykes College of Business will host a hooding and awards ceremony at 6 p.m. in Plant Hall, Fletcher Lounge.

To view a webcast of Saturday’s commencement ceremony, go to http://www.ut.edu/commencementlive/?terms=streaming. Tweet at #UTampa.

UT Graduates by the Numbers:

Total graduates = 450
Countries represented = 43
% of graduates from Florida = 49

Undergraduates
Total bachelor’s degree candidates = 349
Summa cum laude (GPA 4.0) = 1
Magna cum laude (GPA 3.75 or higher, but less than 4.0) = 29
Cum laude (GPA 3.5 or higher, but less than 3.75) = 41
Top 3 most popular undergraduate majors in this class = communication, accounting, tie between criminology and management

Graduate students
Total master’s candidates = 101
With honors (GPA 3.9 or higher, but less than 4.0) = 3
With highest honors (GPA 4.0) = 13
MBAs awarded = 50