Virtual celebrations set for UF spring 2020 graduates
Nearly 10,000 students will complete their UF degrees this week, coming together as one Gator Nation as they participate in virtual celebrations from all around the country and globe.
To kick off the events, UF President Kent Fuchs and UF alumnus, former Gator football player and WWE wrestler Thaddeus Bullard, also known as Titus O’Neil, shared congratulatory messages in a commencement video. https://www.facebook.com/44496359631/posts/10157305918074632/?vh=e&d=n
Bullard, a well-known advocate for disadvantaged children, is the author of “There’s No Such Thing as a Bad Kid: How I Went from Stereotype to Prototype” released earlier this year. He had been set to serve as the university wide commencement speaker for the April 30-May 3 graduation weekend that had to be rescheduled due to COVID-19.
The colleges will acknowledge their graduates and offer celebratory messages from their deans in online celebrations that will go live the day and time that each college’s ceremony was originally scheduled. Celebrations may also include photos of the graduates, alumni speakers or student speakers.
Additionally, members of the UF community, alumni, friends and others in the Gator nation are delivering words or videos of encouragement and inspiration to graduates using the hashtag #DearGators2020. Graduates are also invited to celebrate together using the #UFGrad hashtag.
The rescheduled Spring Commencement ceremonies are set for July 31-August 2 for Bachelor’s, Master’s and Specialist’s degree candidates. Spring doctoral candidates are invited to join doctoral candidates scheduled to graduate at the August 7 Summer Commencement, which is proceeding as originally scheduled. For both the July 31-August 2 and the August 7 commencements, graduates and families are encouraged to make travel arrangements that can be changed or cancelled in case the events are postponed due to COVID-19. More information is available here.
“I’m always proud of our Gator graduates, but I am especially proud of our Spring 2020 graduates for overcoming all the stress and upheaval of this turbulent period and pushing forward with a spirit of optimism and resilience,” said UF President Kent Fuchs. “Many of our students and their families are experiencing real hardship, and I admire and will always remember our students for finishing the year strong.”
UF is mailing commencement programs to graduates for delivery this weekend, accompanied by a personal letter from President Fuchs. Graduates or family members can also download programs online here for bachelor/master and specialist degrees and here for doctoral degrees.