The University of Tampa will hold its 123rd commencement Saturday, Dec. 15, at the Martinez Sports Center. The ceremony, which begins at 10 a.m., will include 361 winter bachelor’s and master’s degree candidates.

Karrie Elise Barfield, one of two students to graduate summa cum laude (with a GPA of 4.0), will speak at the ceremony. A history major from Gainesville, FL, Barfield has been a member of Phi Alpha Theta History Honors Society and the Pi Sigma Alpha National Political Science Honors Society. She was vice president of membership for the United Nations Association and recently completed an internship with the Tampa Bay History Center. 

The director of the dance program and associate professor of dance, Susan Taylor Lennon, will speak at the ceremony as this year’s recipient of the Louise Loy Hunter Award. The award is given annually by its previous recipients to a UT professor for excellence in teaching and cumulative contributions in service and scholarship.

The 2007 Esse Quam Videri Award is presented to Leo Berman, a graduate of the class of 1969, for outstanding service to the University and civic involvement. Berman is president of HLB Management, a parent company for family-owned businesses in southern New Jersey and Palm Beach County with interests in motels, shopping centers, marinas and aluminum manufacturing. He is a trustee of The University of Tampa and an active member of the National Alumni Association.

The alumni achievement award will be presented to Jack Jenkins and his late wife Sally, both members of the UT class of 1961, for their achievements as a couple. They both majored in music at UT and went on to a career as one of America’s most dynamic singing duos. Highlights of their long career include singing appearing on The Ed Sullivan Show, a year-long engagement with Guy Lombardo and national tours of Broadway musicals. Earlier this year, Jack, along with his daughter Letitia, hosted a concert at UT to establish a vocal scholarship in Sally’s honor.

While the University is in its 76th year, there have been 122 commencement ceremonies prior to this one. This number includes all winter, spring and fall ceremonies. The University held only spring Commencement through most of its 76-year history, but has held Commencement twice a year, winter and spring, during periods of high enrollment.

For more information on UT’s commencement, contact Dr. Robert Ruday, dean of students, at (813) 253-6204.