By Tom Woolf, University Communications and Marketing [Ceremony photos by Torie Doll and Elizabeth Metcalf, University Communications and Marketing]
The OB体育官网 honored eight individuals for their service to the university, the Tampa Bay community and the nation during Commencement ceremonies May 8-11.
President Rhea Law presented three individuals with the Distinguished Citizen Award and three received the President鈥檚 Fellow Medallion.
The university also awarded an honorary doctorate and one graduating senior was recognized as the outstanding graduate.
Distinguished Citizen Award
Established in 1974 to honor U.S. citizens, typically Floridians, who have rendered distinguished public service to the people of Florida, particularly within the USF service area.
Rob Higgins has served as the executive director of the Tampa Bay Sports Commission for nearly 21 years. A graduate of USF, he previously worked for USF Athletics, helping to oversee facilities and event management.
During Higgins鈥� tenure with the Sports Commission, Tampa Bay has hosted some of the most prestigious events in collegiate and professional sports. They include four NCAA Women鈥檚 Basketball Final Fours, three NCAA Men鈥檚 Basketball First and Second Rounds, three NCAA Men鈥檚 Frozen Fours, two Super Bowls and the College Football Playoff National Championship. More major events are scheduled for the Tampa Bay region, including the NHL Stadium Series in 2026.
Denis Phillips, chief meteorologist for ABC Action News, has been forecasting the weather in the Tampa Bay region for three decades, including providing critical information during last year鈥檚 hurricane season that included back-to-back major storms. He is widely known for Rule #7 of his hurricane forecasts 鈥� 鈥淒on鈥檛 freak out unless I鈥檓 freaking out, we鈥檙e fine.鈥�
Phillips, his wife Robyn and their six children organize a hot chocolate fundraiser every holiday season to benefit local charities. Together with their friends and neighbors in Palm Harbor, they have raised tens of thousands of dollars for Feeding Tampa Bay, Children鈥檚 Miracle Network and other organizations.
Rick Skaggs, who has 32 years of experience in the financial services industry, is the president and CEO of the USF Credit Union. Among his other industry roles, Skaggs serves as the chairman of The League of Credit Unions & Affiliates Board of Directors, representing Florida, Georgia, Alabama and Virginia.
For more than six decades, the credit union has partnered with USF on a variety of initiatives. Last year, the credit union made a commitment of more than $1 million in new support to USF through a combination of scholarly endowments and title sponsorships of 10 signature events.
In addition, the credit union announced a $6 million gift to name the walkway that will lead into the future on-campus stadium as the USF Federal Credit Union Champions Way.
President鈥檚 Fellow Medallion
Established in 1988, this award highlights the recipient鈥檚 exceptional dedication and impact on society, spanning fields such as education, health care, public service and philanthropy.
Stephanie Goforth, who earned a bachelor鈥檚 degree in business management from USF, is a former member and vice chair of the USF Board of Trustees and a former member and chair of the USF St. Petersburg Campus Board. In 2021, the USF Alumni Association presented Goforth with its Donald A. Gifford Alumni Service Award, which recognizes a graduate for their exceptional service contributions.
Goforth serves on the USF Foundation Board, the Rothman Family Foundation Board and the Admiral Farragut Academy Board of Directors. She also has been appointed to the Florida Commission on the Status of Women.
She is an executive vice president at Northern Trust and the global head of sales and marketing of its Wealth Management business unit. She joined Northern Trust in 2005.
U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. Thomas Harrell is a two-degree graduate of USF. Commissioned through the ROTC, he earned his bachelor鈥檚 degree in biology in 1988 and his Doctor of Medicine degree in 1992.
Harrell鈥檚 military career spans over three decades, with command at every level. In his current position as the director of Defense Health Network Central, Harrell leads more than 21,000 personnel across 39 military treatment facilities in 22 states, three countries and one U.S. territory, overseeing a $2.2 billion global health care operation. He also serves as the commander of the Medical Readiness Command Alpha, Air Force Medical Command.
A chief flight surgeon with over 700 flight hours, Harrell is a board-certified cardiologist and Fellow of the American College of Cardiology.