On Saturday, May 7, more than 1,200 students will line up at the St. Pete Times Forum to receive their diplomas.
Following a processional led by the Tampa Brass Quintet, and the national anthem led by members of the 2011 class, University of Tampa President Ronald Vaughn will take the stage to greet the audience and graduating students.
The words of encouragement and counsel from the trustees will be given by Eugene H. McNichols, chair of the Board of Trustees.
President of the National Alumni Association Ronald McClarin, class of 1987, will present the National Alumni Association Awards.
The Esse Quam Videri Award will be presented to Fred Pollock of the class of 1970.
The National Alumni Association’s Young Alumnus Award will be presented to Jesse Landis of the class of 2002. Graduating senior Loren Piretra will introduce the ceremony speaker.
A co-founder of the student public relations organization Tampa Spotlight PR, Piretra also worked as the director of social media for The Minaret, served as vice president of the Diplomats, has been an orientation leader and Gateways mentor, and is a member of Omicron Delta Kappa, Alphi Chi Scholarship Society and Phi Kappa Phi.
“I’ve been a Diplomat for three years and I worked graduation as a sophomore,” Piretra said.
“That was when I got the idea to apply to speak at my graduation. It’s an honor to be selected to represent and address a class of 1,200 students and be a part of the platform party.”
This year’s commencement address will be given by Dr. Kristen Price, professor and chair of the Department of Critical Care at The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center.
Price graduated from UT in 1981. Price’s address will be followed by the challenge given by Christopher McCarthy, who is graduating with a bachelor’s degree in entrepreneurship.
McCarthy served as vice president of Student Government his junior year and president his senior year. McCarthy has also worked with PEACE.
After McCarthy’s challenge, the Champion of Higher Independent Education in Florida Award will be presented.
This year’s recipients will be Dr. Stephen F. and Marsha Dickey. The presentation and introduction of candidates for degrees will be led by the deans of the respective colleges.
Eighty-seven students are scheduled to graduate with honors. The presentation of diplomas will be followed by the conferral by President Vaughn.
The ceremony will close with a recessional, led once more by the Tampa Brass Quintet.
Channing Hailey can be reached atchanning.hailey@spartans.ut.edu.