.¹ú²ú¶ÌÊÓƵ

History

History of Commencement 

The ¹ú²ú¶ÌÊÓƵ’s first Commencement was in 1963, where 325 degrees were conferred. The first honorary doctorate degree was actually presented years earlier, on September 26, 1960 during the opening convocation of the university. 

The following is a timeline of ¹ú²ú¶ÌÊÓƵCommencement throughout the years: 

September 26, 1960

• First honorary doctorate presented to George R. Cooley during opening convocation of the university as a Doctor of Science.

1963

• First ¹ú²ú¶ÌÊÓƵCommencement. A total of 325 degrees were conferred.

June 14, 1970

• Edith Green, former member of the Florida House of Representatives, is the first woman to receive an honorary degree from USF. She received a Doctor of Laws degree.

June 13, 1971

• USF’s founding president John Allen receives an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters after his tenure from 1957 to 1970. His wife, Grace Allen would later receive a Doctor of Humane Letters on October 18, 1996.

1974

• President’s Distinguished Citizen award created and awarded that year to Tommy Howard and Terrell Sessums.

1988

• President’s Fellow Medallion award created and awarded to Jane Cook.

April 21, 1999

• A new academic mace, designed by Harrison Covington, is unveiled during a retiring faculty celebration event.

February 23, 2000

• Presidential regalia debuts with the inauguration of the university’s sixth president, Judy Genshaft. Her robe is the first institutional regalia for a ¹ú²ú¶ÌÊÓƵpresident.

2001

• Regalia developed and introduced for Board of Trustees members.

December 13, 2003

• The university’s 100th honorary degree is presented to Delia Sanchez, who received a Doctor of Humanities.

May 7, 2005

• The first Commencement is held specifically for graduate students (doctorates, educational specialists, and master’s students) with 485 students in attendance.

May 6, 2006

• During 50th anniversary celebration, university debuts institutional doctoral regalia and the new President’s Chain of Office, worn by President Judy Genshaft and engraved with the names of USF’s former presidents.

December 16, 2006

• Inaugural President’s Global Leadership award presented to Nava Ben-Zvi, president of Hadassa College, Israel.

May 3, 2007

• Institutional regalia for senior leadership debuts with ¹ú²ú¶ÌÊÓƵHealth CEO Stephen Klasko for the College of Medicine Commencement. At this time, only Klasko and the regional chancellor of ¹ú²ú¶ÌÊÓƵSt. Petersburg have the regalia. 

December 15, 2007

• Institutional regalia is introduced for the ¹ú²ú¶ÌÊÓƵ Association representative to attend Commencement, first worn by Michele Norris, ¹ú²ú¶ÌÊÓƵ Association President-Elect.

December 13, 2009

• ¹ú²ú¶ÌÊÓƵSarasota-Manatee Regional Chancellor Arthur Guilford debuts institutional regalia at their ceremony, after being named their first regional chancellor.

August 6, 2011

• First ¹ú²ú¶ÌÊÓƵSystem Commencement is held, where graduates from each ¹ú²ú¶ÌÊÓƵinstitution were recognized separately.

May 1, 2015

• ¹ú²ú¶ÌÊÓƵcelebrates its first ‘green’ Commencement thanks to new environmentally friendly regalia.

May 2019

• President Judy Genshaft attends her final Commencement ceremonies before retiring and ending her historic 19-year tenure at the university. She is presented by the Board of Trustees with a special medallion in recognition of her service to the university and its students.

August 3, 2019

• USF’s seventh president Steven C. Currall presides over his first Commencement.

May 9, 2020

• The university holds its first ever Virtual Commencement as a result of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Each ¹ú²ú¶ÌÊÓƵSystem institution has its own ceremony featuring President Currall, the regional chancellors and student body presidents.

August 8, 2020

• The newly consolidated One ¹ú²ú¶ÌÊÓƵholds its first Commencement as one singly accredited institution. The ceremony is held virtually and divided by college, featuring remarks from the dean and the reading of each graduate’s name.