May 2025 Commencement Ceremony

The May commencement will be held May 10, 2025 at the Florida State Fairgrounds Expo Hall with three separate ceremonies.

• The 9 a.m. ceremony will celebrate graduates of the College of Natural and Health Sciences.
• The 12:30 p.m. ceremony will celebrate graduates of the College of Arts and Letters and the College of Social Sciences, Mathematics and Education.
• The 4 p.m. ceremony will celebrate graduates of the Sykes College of Business.

Please use the address 4800 US-301, Tampa, FL 33610 to get the the Florida State Fairgrounds. This will take you to the gate on US-301. Graduates, families, and guests MUST ONLY utilize the US301 entrance.

Ceremony Information for Graduates

Graduate check-in opens 90 minutes prior to the start of the ceremony. Please allow plenty of time for arrival, parking, and going through security before entering the building. Graduates cannot wear their gowns through security, and must place them over their arm.

If you are in the second or third ceremony, there will be extra traffic at the fairgrounds when you arrive from the prior ceremony ending.

Please note that once you are through security there is a separate entrance for graduates. Family members and guests are not permitted in the graduate check-in area. will take approximately 15 - 20 minutes to pick-up your "reader card" and line-up for pre-seating. 

If you are not ready 15 minutes prior to the start of the ceremony, you will not be seated until after the singing of the National Anthem.

All graduating students are required to remain seated throughout the ceremony. Please tell your family and friends that all guests must remain in their seats until the platform party, faculty and graduates have processed off the floor. Students and their families/friends should designate a meeting place outside before entering the building. 

Ceremony Information for Guests and Families

Doors will open for guests and families one hour prior to the start of the ceremony. Please note that tickets are not required for entry. Seating is on a first-come, first-serve basis, and reservations are not available. The Expo Hall is an indoor venue with stadium seating and concessions available inside.

To ensure a smooth experience, we recommend planning ample time for navigating traffic and getting through security. Please take a moment to read the list of permitted and prohibited items before arriving at the Florida State Fairgrounds. This will help facilitate a quick and easy entrance.

Additionally, vendors will be selling flowers and gifts prior to each ceremony, so you can find the perfect memento to celebrate this special occasion.

Applying for Graduation

Applying for graduation and to participate in the commencement ceremonies is a MULTI-STEP PROCESS. Students, please follow this step-by-step guide to ensure you are set to graduate on time and/or participate in the commencement ceremony.

Step 1: Apply to graduate on Workday.

Log into your MyUTampa and use the Workday widget to apply to graduate and have your degree conferred. Please note, in order to graduate from UTampa you still need to complete this step, even if it is past the deadline.

Spring degree candidates should enter a May expected completion date in Workday.  Degree Candidates that will be registering for summer classes, including May term, should enter an August expected completion date in Workday.

Students are highly encouraged to apply prior to March 24 to confirm their name will be included in the commencement program. If you did not fill out the graduation application by March 24, your name will not be included in the physical program. 

Although we are past the deadline, you still MUST apply for graduation using the Workday widget in order to receive your diploma.

If you have any questions regarding your status please reach out to diplomas@ut.edu.

Step 2: RSVP to attend the ceremony through the Commencement Application.

The deadline for graduates to RSVP to participate in May Commencement was April 1. Graduating students wishing to participate in Commencement are still able to reserve their spot, but must email commencement@ut.edu.

If you have already reserved your spot and wish to update information including the phonetic spelling of your name to be read or accommodations for you or any of your guests, please email the Commencement office.

Step 3: Pick up your cap and gown from the University bookstore before May 8, during regular bookstore hours.

Visit the bookstore for cap, gown and honor cord pick-up before the ceremony at the University Bookstore! 

If you did not pre-order your regalia, it is highly encouraged for you to visit the bookstore on as soon as possible for the best options of sizing.

Please note, that academic regalia will not be available for on-site pick up at the commencement ceremony and must be obtained before coming to the ceremony.

Hotel Information

Hilton Tampa Downtown Channel District

The rate is available for multiple room types and amenities include complimentary hot breakfast, WiFi, outdoor pool, fitness center and business center. Additionally, the hotel is pet-friendly. Self-parking is available at $30 per night. 

Home2 Suites by Hilton Tampa Downtown Channel District
The rate is available for multiple room types and amenities include complimentary hot breakfast, WiFi, outdoor pool, fitness center and business center. Additionally, the hotel is pet-friendly. Self-parking is $30 per night.

Courtyard by Marriott Tampa Downtown
The rate is available for multiple room types, and amenities include WiFi, outdoor pool and terrace and fitness center. Valet parking is available at $40 per night.

Residence Inn Tampa Downtown
The rate is available for multiple room types, and amenities include complimentary hot breakfast, WiFi, outdoor pool and fitness center. Additionally, the hotel is pet-friendly. Self-parking is available at $25 per night.

Palihouse Hyde Park Village
Palihouse Hyde Park Village proudly offers bespoke, residential-inspired hotel suites in Tampa’s historic Hyde Park neighborhood. Utilize booking code UOFTAMPA. 

Venue Location

To get to the Florida State Fairgrounds please use the address 4800 US-301, Tampa, FL 33610. This will take you to the gate on US-301. Graduates, families, and guests MUST ONLY utilize the US301 entrance.

The venue is about 15-20 minutes from campus without traffic. Please plan for congestion around the fairgrounds area, and at least a 45 minute drive with parking.

Parking is FREE, just let the attendant know that your are attending the commencement ceremony.

Travel Information
Tampa International Airport (airport code TPA) is served by most major airlines and is consistently ranked as one of the top airports in the nation.

Family Communication Philosophy

While we understand family members and guests are excited to celebrate their student's achievements at commencement, we are only able to provide general information about the ceremony as opposed to student-specific information. Please visit the Student Affairs Family Communication Philosophy for more information. 

Questions?

Please contact Orientation and Family Engagement at commencement@ut.edu or (813) 257-1999.