ommencement C onvocation
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UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA ST. PETERSBURG
Summer 2019 1
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Dear Graduates, The faculty, staff, trustees and USF’s hundreds of thousands of alumni join me in congratulating you on earning your degree. Today marks an important milestone in your life. With your degree from USF, you join a community of scholars that is driven to discover, to make an impact, to make life better for others. The investment you have made in your education opens up a future without limits. Today you graduate from a Preeminent Research University, one of the most prestigious universities in the state of Florida. We are ranked among the top 25 research universities in the U.S. by the National Science Foundation. And we are widely recognized for our record-setting gains in student success. As we continue to lead in research, scholarship and innovation, your degree from USF becomes even more valuable. We know that as alumni, USF will always make you proud – just as you will, for us. You can be confident that your degree from USF will equip you to embrace any opportunity or challenge ahead. We hope that your life journey takes you around the world and that you will always find your way back to USF. Congratulations, and GO BULLS!
Steven C. Currall, President University of South Florida
UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA ST. PETERSBURG 66th COMMENCEMENT CONVOCATION Summer Commencement | Sunday, August 4, 2019
MARTIN TADLOCK REGIONAL CHANCELLOR Dear graduates, Congratulations! You have achieved a significant milestone in your life: You are a 2019 graduate of the University of South Florida St. Petersburg. We could not be more proud of your accomplishments. We hope that you will take all of your college experiences with you as you begin this new journey. The time you spent inside and outside of our classrooms has prepared you for a promising future. As citizen scholars, you possess the knowledge and skills to ensure success in your chosen careers. More than that, you possess a strong capacity for caring – for each other, for our environment and for the communities in which you live and work. You are the next generation of leaders! The faculty and staff at USF St. Petersburg are very proud to have played a role in your achievement. Many of them are here today to celebrate with you. We hope that we have both challenged and inspired you to go out into the world and make a difference. As we watch each of you cross the stage today, we will be reminded of why we chose this work and how fortunate we are to play a role in your book of life. This is a great day. Graduation is worth celebrating. Here’s to you and to all you will accomplish in the coming years.
M artin Tadlock R egional Chancellor
MERRITT MARTIN USF ALUMNI ASSOCIATION CHAIR Congratulations! Today is your first day as a USF alumnus, a distinction you have earned and will proudly hold for the rest of your life. It is a special day for you and the friends and family who supported you. Since the first graduating class in 1963, USF alumni have brought honor and distinction to the university in many areas, including medicine, business, law, the arts, public service, technology, engineering and education. With each passing year — and graduating class — the university’s stature grows as its alumni are recognized across the state and nation, and around the world. From this day forward, you will carry on that tradition. Wherever your future takes you, you’ll carry with you the distinguished reputation of a world-class university. I personally invite and encourage you to stay connected to your Alma Mater through the USF Alumni Association. Your membership connects you with your fellow Bulls and creates meaningful ways for all of us to: promote and protect USF, share your USF pride, stay connected and make an impact, and help USF succeed. Take full advantage of your first year complimentary USF Alumni Association membership by getting involved in your local chapter and your college alumni society. We are incredibly proud of the accomplishments you and your family celebrate today. With your degree and educational experiences to reflect on, you are now truly Unstoppable! In Bull Pride,
Merritt Martin, ’04, MPA ’06 Chair, USF Alumni Association
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UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA ST. PETERSBURG AN ACADEMIC PIONEER
After graduating, our students continue to strive for excellence. Some receive national awards, such as the Pulitzer Prize, while others develop innovative ways to educate the next generation, or start successful businesses that create original solutions for industry. In their journey, they become ambassadors for USF St. Petersburg’s vibrant research culture.
Nestled along the waterfront on beautiful Bayboro Harbor, USF St. Petersburg opened for classes on September 7, 1965 in the barracks of a World War II Merchant Marine Base. The state legislature established it as an official campus of the University of South Florida in 1968. Its first degrees were conferred to 51 students in elementary education. Today, USF St. Petersburg is considered one of the loveliest urban campuses in the nation, nestled on the waterfront in the heart of a vibrant downtown. Characterized by a close-knit learning community with low faculty-to-student ratio, affordable tuition and a strong sense of place, USF St. Petersburg is part of the University of South Florida System, serving more than 5,000 students and offering more than 40 programs at the baccalaureate and master’s levels. USF St. Petersburg’s array of arts and sciences, business and education programs, combined with stellar faculty and a focus on experiential learning, provides students with unparalleled opportunities to learn, to intern, to contribute and to chart their own course.
SUSTAINABILITY One of USF St. Petersburg’s core values is care for the natural environment. Through sustainability, the University and its students are taking a leading role in efforts to create a healthier environment on campus and in the community. Students established a green energy fee to help fund sustainability initiatives at the university, from water bottle refill stations to LED lights. The institution is leading research around the collection and storage of renewable solar energy, installed a new library roof that incorporates artificial habitat for a threatened species and partnered with the City of St. Petersburg to establish a Climate Action Plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. USF St. Petersburg is recognized by the Princeton Review as one of “399 Green Colleges.” USFSP’s Warehouse Laboratory received LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Platinum certification, the highest sustainability distinction, from the U.S. Green Building Council. The Laboratory is the first building in the USF System to receive Platinum designation, and is the fourth building constructed on campus to meet LEED certification standards. These accomplishments underscore the university’s commitment to sustainability. The sustainability ribbon represents the students’ lifetime commitment to a healthy environment.
RESEARCH AND INNOVATION USF St. Petersburg is Pinellas County’s only residential, public research university. The University is identified as a master’s comprehensive institution by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, and also holds the prestigious Community Engagement Classification from the Carnegie Foundation. The University prides itself on providing innovative learning experiences and research opportunities, from finance and biology to teaching and the arts. Guided by knowledgeable and experienced faculty, students conduct their own research, pursuing their passions and honing skills while addressing community issues.
UNIVERSITY ADMINISTRATION
Michelle Madden, Campus Diversity Officer and Director of Institutional Effectiveness Jacob Diaz, Regional Assistant Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs, and Dean of Students Magali Michael, Dean, College of Arts & Sciences Sridhar Sundaram, Dean, Kate Tiedemann College of Business Brenda Walker, Interim Associate Dean, College of Education
Steven C. Currall, President and Chief Executive Officer Ralph C. Wilcox, Provost & Executive Vice President David Lechner, Senior Vice President for Business and Financial Strategy Charles J. Lockwood, Senior Vice President for USF Health and Dean, Morsani College of Medicine Paul Sanberg, Senior Vice President for Research, Innovation and Knowledge Enterprise Joel Momberg, Senior Vice President for University Advancement Martin Tadlock, Regional Chancellor, USF St. Petersburg Karen A. Holbrook, Regional Chancellor, USF Sarasota-Manatee
USF ST. PETERSBURG LEADERSHIP Martin Tadlock, Regional Chancellor Catherine Cardwell, Interim Associate Regional Vice Chancellor, Academic Affairs, and Dean, Nelson Poynter Memorial Library Nicholas Setteducato, Interim Regional Vice Chancellor, Administration & Finance Patricia S. Helton, Regional Vice Chancellor, Student Affairs and Student Success Helen Levine, Regional Vice Chancellor, External Affairs Deborah Read, Regional Vice Chancellor, Advancement
USF BOARD OF TRUSTEES
USF ST. PETERSBURG CAMPUS BOARD
Jordan B. Zimmerman, Chair Les Muma, Vice Chair Michael L. Carrere Britney Deas Stephanie E. Goforth Michael E. Griffin Oscar Horton Deanna Michael, Ph.D. Harold W. Mullis, Esq. John B. Ramil Byron E. Shinn Charles Tokarz Nancy H. Watkins
Stephanie E. Goforth, Chair Susan Churuti John Connelly Lawrence Hamilton Judy A. Mitchell
USF St. Petersburg is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award baccalaureate and master’s degrees. Events, activities, programs and facilities of the University of South Florida are available to all without regard to race, color, marital status, gender, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, disability, age, Vietnam or disabled veteran status as provided by law and in accordance with the University’s respect for personal dignity.
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THE SYMBOLS OF LEARNING
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odern academic regalia evolved from the kinds of apparel worn by monks and students in the 11th and 12th centuries to keep warm in the medieval castles and halls in which they studied. Academic life as we know it today began in the Middle Ages — first in the church, then in the guilds. The teaching guild was the Guild of the Master of Arts, and the Bachelor was the apprentice of the Master. Their dress was the outward sign of stature and responsibility. Academic regalia was thus a visible manifestation — in color, pattern and design — that unified those of common discipline and like purpose. In later centuries, to preserve the regalia’s dignity and meaning, universities set rules of academic dress. American universities agreed on a definite system in 1895, establishing a code of approved attire. In 1932, the American Council on Education revised this code, which, for the most part, governs the style of academic dress today. The principal features of academic dress are three: the gown, the cap and the hood. THE GOWN — The gown has become symbolic of the democracy of scholarship, for it completely covers any dress of rank or social standing. The sleeves of the gown indicate the level of the degree held by the wearer. A long, pointed sleeve indicates the bachelor’s degree. The master’s gown has an oblong sleeve cut in an arc, with a slit at either the upper arm or wrist. The USF doctor’s gown has bell-shaped sleeves and three black bars on the sleeve. The doctoral robe also has the seal of the university on the velvet facing.
honoring their home country. The colors of their sash reflect the colors of their native flags.
THE CAP — The freed slave in ancient Rome won the privilege of wearing a cap, and so the academic cap is a sign of the freedom of scholarship and the responsibility and dignity with which scholarship endows the wearer. Old poetry records the cap of scholarship as a square symbolizing the book, although other authorities claim that it is a mortar board, the symbol of the masons, a privileged guild. The color of the tassel on the cap denotes the discipline. The tassels on the caps (mortar boards) worn by the faculty may be black or a color indicating the degree. Those who hold a doctoral degree may wear a gold tassel. It is traditional for degree candidates to wear their tassels on the right and for those holding degrees to wear them on the left. Graduates transfer their tassels to the left after conferring of the degrees by the President.
THE COLORS — In regalia, academic disciplines are noted by color. These colors can be found on undergraduate and masters tassels and on master and doctorate hoods on the velvet edging.
THE HOOD — The hoods are lined with the official colors of the institution conferring the degree. They are edged and bound with velvet of the color appropriate for the degree. At USF, the lining of the hood is green with a gold chevron, representing the university’s colors.
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THE MACE — The USF Mace, used during all Commencement ceremonies, is a ceremonial staff similar to those used by many institutions of higher learning to show the right of academic institutions to grant degrees to graduates. The USF mace is used during all Commencement ceremonies and is carried by the President of the Faculty Senate. Our mace includes a gold pine cone at its top to represent growth and continuity. Eight silver semicircles, which support the pine cone, stand for the eight colleges in existence at USF when the mace was commissioned in 1998. When not in use, today’s mace is displayed in the foyer of the President’s office. The original university mace is on display in the Alumni Center.
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THE MEDALLION — The medallion worn by candidates for the bachelor’s degree identify those graduating with honors based upon GPA.
THE SASH — The golden-colored sash is made available to students who are members of university honors societies. The sash is embroidered with the university seal and the student’s honors society. International students may choose to wear a special sash
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Apricot — Nursing Blue (dark) — Philosophy (doctorate) Blue (light) — Education Blue (peacock) — Public Administration Blue (Rhodes) — Audiology Brown — Visual and Performing Arts Citron — Social Work, Rehabilitation and Mental Health Counseling Crimson — Advertising, Journalism and Mass Communications Copper — Economics Drab — Business Green (Kelly) — Medicine Green (olive) — Pharmacy Green (sage) — Political Science (masters) Orange — Engineering Pink — Music Salmon — Public Health Scarlet — Religious Studies Science Gold — Anthropology, Biology, Biomedical Sciences, Chemistry, Communication Sciences and Disorders, Criminology, Environmental Science, Geography, Geology, Gerontology, Health Sciences, Information Technologies, Medical Science (masters), Medical Technology, Mathematics, Marine Science, Physics, Speech Pathology, Statistics Silver — Speech Communications Teal — Physical Therapy Violet — Architecture White — Arts and Letters and Humanities, including African Studies, American Studies, Applied Linguistics, Art and Art History, Classics, English, Foreign Language, General Studies, History, Interdisciplinary Social Science, International Studies, Liberal Studies, Linguistics, Political Science, Psychology, Sociology, Women’s and Gender Studies Yellow (lemon) — Library Science Yellow (pineapple) — Hotel and Restaurant Management
ORDER OF EXERCISES Steven C. Currall, Presiding
Sunday, August 4, 2019, 1 p.m. 66th Commencement Convocation
PROCESSIONAL CEREMONY OPENING
Deanna Michael
NATIONAL ANTHEM
Jeremiah Pagan, ’15
PLATFORM INTRODUCTIONS AND WELCOME
Martin Tadlock Regional Chancellor
PRESIDENT’S WELCOME
Steven C. Currall President
STUDENT WELCOME
Kaeden Kelso USFSP Student Body President
PRESENTATION OF MASTER’S DEGREES
Martin Tadlock, Regional Chancellor Magali Michael, Dean, College of Arts and Sciences Sridhar Sundaram, Dean, Kate Tiedemann College of Business Brenda Walker, Interim Associate Dean, College of Education
CONFERRING OF MASTER DEGREES
President Currall
PRESENTATION OF BACCALAUREATE DEGREES
Martin Tadlock, Regional Chancellor Magali Michael, Dean, College of Arts and Sciences Sridhar Sundaram, Dean, Kate Tiedemann College of Business Brenda Walker, Interim Associate Dean, College of Education
CONFERRING OF BACCALAUREATE DEGREES
President Currall
ALMA MATER
Jeremiah Pagan, ’15
CLOSING/RECESSIONAL
Deanna Michael
Mace Bearer
PARTICIPANTS CEREMONY READER
Jacob Diaz
MARSHALS
Jennifer O’Brien, Carrie O’Brion
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CANDIDATES FOR THE MASTER’S DEGREE COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES
Tanja Gromadzki Stuart Jett Kristin Johnson Jocelyn Kielhafner Oscar Lovera Jacob Marriott Darla Ostenson Ryan Ramnarain Gabriel Sanchez, Jr. Angelica Madeline Foley Christopher John Sturniolo Lesley Trumbull Scott G. Wilson
Magali Michael, Dean
MASTER OF ARTS Digital Journalism Andrew Caplan Kathryn Malaxos
MASTER OF LIBERAL ARTS Liberal Arts Radhika M Dang Nicki Lee Hannum LeQuina Knox Jay Looney Urian Rios
Business Administration, Business Analytics Richard Matthew Decker Business Administration, Healthcare Analytics Bobbi Marissa Carlson
Liberal Arts, Florida Studies Hannah Tweet
MASTER OF SCIENCE
COLLEGE OF EDUCATION
Environmental Science and Policy Leo Harry Meirose, III
Brenda Walker, Interim Associate Dean
KATE TIEDEMANN COLLEGE OF BUSINESS
MASTER OF ARTS
MASTER OF ACCOUNTANCY
Exceptional Student Education Eliana Luz Figueroa
Elementary Education Lynn M. Sullivan
Sridhar Sundaram, Dean
Accountancy Robert Frank Castiglia Samantha Martinez Koby Pepia
MASTER OF EDUCATION Educational Leadership Janeli Acosta Chelsea Monique Monaco Brodie Katherine Marie Gilson Karen Powell
MASTER OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION Business Administration Jeanine Ashforth Kofi Bempah Andrew Booth Andres De Valencia Dylan DeCresie Jason Deeb Ziche Fowajuh Matthew Frain Kelly Gajewski Camila Geisel Brian Goff Breeanna Groff
MASTER OF SCIENCE Middle Grades Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Education Erin E Chenderlin Jennifer Rivera
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CANDIDATES FOR THE BACHELOR’S DEGREE At the University of South Florida St. Petersburg, we take great pride in the academic achievements of our students. Undergraduate students who are graduating with a grade point average of 3.5 or higher are recognized in this Commencement program as graduating with honors, designated as follows: Cum Laude* – graduating with honor: grade point average of 3.5 or higher Magna Cum Laude** – graduating with high honor: grade point average of 3.7 or higher Summa Cum Laude*** – graduating with highest honor: grade point average of 3.9 or higher Graduates with the highest cumulative grade point average, 4.0, are also identified as King O’ Neal Scholars.
COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES
Interdisciplinary Social Sciences, Criminology, International Studies Tanner Zahalka
BACHELOR OF ARTS
Interdisciplinary Social Sciences, Economics, Criminology Jocelyn Little
Magali Michael, Dean
Anthropology Ana Alfonso Taryn Eliana Barnett** Kimberly Ann Cobb Jordyn Johnson Criminology Troy Bielicki Joshua Ciccone Sara Cooke Elena Duarte Jon Lafrance Samantha Ranee Ortiz Rachel Ramos Megan Reilly English, Literature and Cultural Studies Katelyn Marie Franklin Olivia Kavanagh* Helana Morrow*** English, Writing Studies Tashi Wangmo*** Geospatial Analysis & Geography, Geospatial Science Marisa Capobainco* Dylan Smith Geospatial Analysis & Geography, Society and Environment Gabriela Lyne Bilter Amanda Matthews History Erin McQueary Taylor Lauren Purtell Cody L. Robbins Dylan Taylor
Interdisciplinary Social Sciences, Economics, Psychology Cindy Ximena Muriel Mass Communications, Journalism and Media Studies Alexandra Analore Courtney Aurich Richard Stuart Boore Kelli Marie Carmack* Rachel Freeman Anamaria Hines Martha Rhine* Margaretha Seibert** Kerri K. Walker*
Health Sciences, Health Care Administration, Integrated Health Sciences Wendell F. Soto
Trina Fuller Alexa Grace Zachary Hickerson Kiharrah S. Johnson Midori Kimura Michele René Lakey Sarah Lopez Arieana Athena Mangra Lilian Debra Ann Monique Moses Sophia Perez*** Rachael Lynne Petit Christina Randolph Vanessa Reulbach Sydney Richman Zoe Nicole Rivero Corrine Michelle Romano** Jennifer Alves Santos Cadin Small Candace Smith Jessie Smith Fotini Vestinos Lauren Williams
Sophie Rose Gross Gabriella Jalo Samantha Marvel Deztony Savett Kimberly Sprenger**
Biology, Marine Biology Domonique M. Gillen*** Madison Zimmer Linville Georgia Ann Lombardy Jessica Schmidt** Natassia Yannaroudis
Health Sciences, Public Health, Integrated Health Sciences Abigail Datsko* Sara Gifford** Ashli Jessica Medwinter Natalie Sardegna
Psychology and Criminology Khendal Robinson
Environmental Science and Policy, Environmental Policy Eric Paul Hernandez Alyssa Christine Soliz
KATE TIEDEMANN COLLEGE OF BUSINESS
Political Science Emilio Correa Nicholas Fortino Kaley Hindes** Ryan Richards Melissa Gail Robinson Eric Whited
Psychology and Economics Brittany Kay Cramer
Psychology Madison Bargo Moriah Barnhart Paige Bezanson Alaina Bishop Robin Bley Samantha D. Booth Tara Mae Brooks** Haley Antoinette Burrichter Yulia Drung Emily Durez Shayla Fajardo Jeffrey Fox
BACHELOR OF SCIENCE
BACHELOR OF FINE ARTS Graphic Design Nam Ho
Biology Jenna Erbella Biology, Biomedical Sciences Michelle Allen Nina Chalama* Christen Chellis Kendal Destin Andriy Glushakov Erin Grigg**
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Biology, General Biology Jacob Butler Cailee Cinko Natalie Jesski Brennan McArthur Hannah Joy Raistrick Andrew Rene Brittany Sides Abigail Taylor Madeline Kelly Thorpe*
Environmental Science and Policy, Sustainability Zoe Adara Dekeles* Forensic Studies & Justice Jesse Tona Health Sciences, Communication Sciences & Disorders, Integrated Health Sciences Tori Cascino Kimberly Ways Martinez Health Sciences, Communication Sciences & Disorders, Public Health Erica Celeste Alexis Alexandria Domingo***
Health Sciences, Health Care Administration, Public Health Ysatis Ellise Jordan* Health Sciences, Integrated Health Sciences, Communication Sciences & Disorders Angela M. Segovia**
Sridhar Sundaram, Dean
BACHELOR OF ARTS Accounting Gregory M. Chaperont Economics Isaiah Hardy Tanner Harwood Luke Helms Aleek Nibbs Toby Perelmuter Global Business Brianna Daviau
CANDIDATES FOR THE BACHELOR’S DEGREE
BACHELOR OF SCIENCE Accounting Michael Ciani Ashley Combs Nikolas E. Freeman Quinn Gerrish Kevin Hall John Hunter John Patrick Mullins Janki Anil Patel Jennifer Marie Robertson Mary Lee Ronan Dennis Henry Wolter Anthony Yu Accounting and Business Economics Chase Scarborough Business Economics Gianni Leo Bessette Chandler Hackbarth Entrepreneurship Laura Ann Carifi Andrew Haas Jason T. McLaughlin* Samantha Sawyer Stefan Vujicic
Finance Shawn Baril Zaid Bousfiha Nicolas Cahill Jessica Nicole Colon Sebastian Elsenpeter Kevin A. Erickson Brendan Quinn Feeney Ashley Nicole Jordan Paul Kulaga Paulius Lukas Anthony Palermiti Andrew Revitzer Jeremy Rivera Orledja Sanxhaku Steven M. Thomas Liliane N. Tran*** Joshua Michael Wallace Lorielle Kimberly Marie Wright
Ryan Gammill Brandon Luper Myah Luper Sean Patrick Ryan Michael P. Shannon Rita Smay* Lindy Starkey Jeremy Wooldridge
Global Business Kameron Boike Elizabeth Burke Calib D. Carney* Cole Wymbs
Marketing Kahlea Arroyo* Lauren Elise Boyer Brenden Delarua Shawna Taylor Elliott* Ciarra M. Frain Forest Hecker Karley Klem Ariel Legg Margarita Maria Schneider Vania L. Shapiro Ronan Shortall Nicholas B. Sivilich Matthew Joseph Smith Christine Uys
Management Alizabeth Holborn Mikaela Bourgeois** James M. Desmond
COLLEGE OF EDUCATION
Brenda Walker, Interim Associate Dean
BACHELOR OF SCIENCE
Management Information Systems Jessica Bromley Daniel Danh Allison Hanzlick Ryan Patrick Livingston Sarah J. Lowe Marven Mathelier Christopher Packett** Cecilia Rosete Jeremy Wood
Education Sarah Abdulla Kallan Anderson Ashley Nicole Cafiero Kourtney L. Chavez Alexandra Isabelle M. Dorn* Jennifer Leigh Grimsland Dawn Marie Hurst Joshua Knight Hasena Sena Kurtic Meghan McAloon Hannah Grace McElroy** Chelsea Lynn-Marie Navarro Marjorie Nichols Emily K. Ostebo* Brooke Ana Vazquez Danielle Lynn Warmke
Names published in this Commencement program are a list of candidates who have applied to graduate by the deadline noted in the academic calendar for this term. Names do not appear if the application was not submitted by that deadline or for those who applied to graduate in an earlier term or who plan to apply in a later term. Names are also not printed for those who elected total privacy on their university record. The list of candidates in this program is not a certified list of graduates. Cum Laude *
Magna Cum Laude **
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Summa Cum Laude ***
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ALMA MATER Hail to thee, our Alma Mater May thy name be told, Where above thy gleaming splendor, Waves the green and gold. Thou our guide in quest for knowledge Where we all are free University of South Florida, Alma Mater, hail to thee! Be our guide in truth and wisdom As we onward go, May thy glory, fame and honor Never cease to grow, May our thoughts and prayers be with thee through eternity, University of South Florida, Alma Mater, Hail to thee!
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