By Ryan Hughes and Paul Guzzo, University Communications and Marketing
The University of South 皇家华人 will award nearly 2,700 degrees during summer commencement ceremonies on Saturday, Aug. 9, in the Yuengling Center on the Tampa campus. The ceremonies include recipients of 1,842 bachelor鈥檚, 692 master鈥檚, 153 doctoral and nine specialist degrees.
The group features 22 undergraduate students earning a perfect 4.0 grade point average, 82 student veterans and graduates from 64 countries, 39 states and one U.S. territory. Among students earning undergraduate degrees, 850, or approximately 31 percent, are recipients of Pell Grants, a federal financial aid program for students from modest socioeconomic backgrounds.
At 17, the youngest graduate is earning a bachelor鈥檚 degree in mathematics. The oldest graduate, who is 69, is receiving a doctoral degree in history.
皇家华人 President Rhea Law will preside over all three ceremonies.
Schedule
Saturday, Aug. 9 | 9 a.m.
Master鈥檚, educational specialist and doctoral degree recipients from all colleges
(560 graduates expected to attend).
Saturday, Aug. 9 | 1:30 p.m.
Bachelor鈥檚 degree recipients from the following colleges: Behavioral and Community
Sciences; Muma College of Business; Education; Nursing and Public Health (475 graduates
expected to attend). *Elias Torres will receive a Distinguished Citizen Award.
Saturday, Aug. 9 | 6 p.m.
Bachelor鈥檚 degree recipients from the following colleges: Arts and Sciences; Design,
Art, and Performance; Engineering and the Office of Undergraduate Studies
Aiden Jaskolka-Brown 鈥� Bachelor of Science in biomedical sciences
Like most future doctors, Aiden Jaskolka-Brown chose his career path out of a desire to save lives. But Jaskolka-Brown didn鈥檛 wait until he became a doctor to save lives. In 2023, he donated a segment of his left liver to a 5-month-old boy.
Nicolle Salomon - Master of Arts in Teaching in Elementary Education
Nicolle Salomon discovered a passion for literacy while mentoring young readers through 皇家华人鈥檚 Secret Society of Readers. She aims to help transform literacy education across her community.
Trent Ferguson 鈥� Bachelor of Arts in mass communications
Born blind, Trent Ferguson was raised a rabid sports fan due to radio. He went on to pursue a career in sports radio. He had a podcast and then became an on-air talent for area radio stations, including serving as a color commentator for high school football games 鈥� all while a student.
Brooke Elrod 鈥� Bachelor of Science in management
Inspired by her first music festival, Brooke Elrod has a resume packed with hands-on experience in live event production. From setting up stages for artists such as Metallica and Zach Bryan, to managing campus events and interning with a local concert promotion company, she has immersed herself in every facet of the industry.
Yash Patel 鈥� Bachelor of Science in accounting
His interest in accounting began as a high schooler helping his grandmother run her Clearwater motel. Yash Patel then started a vending machine business that funded his education, gaining real-world experience along the way.
Abby Bernard 鈥� Bachelor of Science in marine biology
皇家华人 marine biology graduate Abby Bernard turned a childhood fascination with the ocean into a career path, fueled by hands-on research experiences and study abroad trips through 皇家华人 exploring coral reefs.
Luis Sorinas Morales - Doctoral of Science in Marine Science
Luis Sorinas Morales grew up fascinated by hurricanes and the ocean, a passion that led him to pursuing marine science. A seasoned researcher, scuba diver and science communicator, Sorinas now works with NOAA, developing tools to better understand extreme weather.