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For the first time in its history, the OB体育官网 will hold virtual commencement ceremonies on Saturday, May 9, to recognize thousands of graduates who are unable to participate in traditional, in-person ceremonies due to the coronavirus outbreak.
USF President Steven Currall will preside over ceremonies for campuses in Tampa, St. Petersburg and Sarasota-Manatee that will include conferring nearly 7,500 degrees.
The spring 2020 class features 43 students who hold a perfect 4.0 GPA, 272 student veterans and graduates from 50 states and more than 100 nations. The youngest graduate is Natalie Rodriguez, 18, earning a bachelor鈥檚 degrees in aging studies. The oldest graduate is 68 years old. Of the degrees to be awarded, approximately 6,617 are from USF in Tampa, 544 from USF St. Petersburg and 280 from USF Sarasota-Manatee.
Each virtual ceremony will include many elements that traditionally occur during an in-person ceremony, including remarks from Currall and each USF campus student body president, recognition of the Outstanding Graduate Award winners and graduates who earned a 4.0 GPA and conferring of the degrees. Instead of graduates walking across the stage one at a time, each ceremony will feature the names of every graduate on screen. The ceremonies will be available for viewing beginning at 10 a.m. on May 9 through the USF commencement website.
Spring graduates have also been invited to participate in USF鈥檚 traditional in-person commencement ceremonies in August, which are contingent upon ongoing guidance from federal, state and local government and public health officials regarding large gatherings.
Britney deas
BA in Political Science
When Britney Deas first stepped on to the Tampa campus, she didn鈥檛 plan to one day graduate as part of the university鈥檚 history. But, that鈥檚 exactly how her USF journey unfolded. Elected to serve as the Student Body president in Tampa, the Miami native was the first black woman to ever serve in that position and USF鈥檚 first female Student Body president in over 20 years. During her presidency, Deas was a critical student voice throughout the consolidation process. Her administration also completed a number of high-profile initiatives, including a project to make mental health resources more accessible to students. Outside of Student Government, Deas was active in the Student Alumni Association and the Order of the Golden Brahman. She says that while her involvement at USF was geared toward making an impact on others, it also gave her a sense of belief in herself. Deas plans to attend law school after graduation.
Michael Congdon
BFA in Studio Art
Michael Congdon spent 15 years in the U.S. Army. After medically retiring due to leg and back injuries, he started on a path to pursue business and marketing. But something was missing. Upon transferring to USF, Congdon decided to change his focus and began pursuing photography. He says the change was one of the best things he鈥檚 ever done. Art has proven extremely therapeutic and has helped get his mind off some of the traumatic experiences he鈥檚 had. Through USF鈥檚 Breaking Barriers program, a photography workshop developed for local veterans, Congdon gained opportunities to show his work at various venues and received much acclaim. After graduation, he plans to pursue an MFA and is scheduled to compete in the national Veterans Creative Arts Festival competition in November.
renata gomes martins
BA in Global Business
Renata Gomes Martins鈥檚 journey from Brazil to the United States was filled with perseverance, hard work and determination. Those traits served her well throughout her time as a Bull too. At USF, the global business major received an academic scholarship and maintained a 4.0 GPA -- earned while supporting herself financially. She worked part-time at the Small Business Development Center and, before that, as a sales intern at Florida Golf. Thanks to scholarships, Martins has also been able to study abroad twice, traveling to Europe and to Africa. The experiences clearly align with her global view and spurred Martins to get involved in the Global Citizens Project, eventually serving as president of the group. She later cofounded the Global Business Society and helped bring the inaugural World Without Waste Sustain-A-Bull Challenge, supported by Coca-Cola, to campus, giving students a chance to pitch sustainable business ideas to the firm鈥檚 leaders. After graduation, Martins plans to begin her career at Cintas, a position she secured months before commencement.
Natalie Rodriguez
BS in Aging Science
Growing up in Tampa as a first-generation American, Natalie Rodriguez鈥檚 parents always stressed the importance of education. At a young age, she was encouraged to read and study often 鈥� habits that helped gain her acceptance into a magnet high school where she was able to work simultaneously toward her diploma and an associate degree. At 16, Rodriguez graduated from high school and Hillsborough Community College. At the same time, she began volunteering with local organizations and saw first-hand the struggle older adults face in health care. After transferring to USF, Rodriguez decided she wanted to help and began pursuing a degree in aging sciences. Now, she is set to graduate with her bachelor鈥檚 degree at just 18 years old, the age when most students first begin college, and is this semester鈥檚 youngest graduate. Moving forward, Rodriguez plans to pursue an MBA at Louisiana State University, before applying to medical school to become a physician.
