More than 10,500 graduates to celebrate UF's spring 2023 commencement

WHAT: The University of Florida’s 2023 spring commencement ceremonies

WHEN/WHERE: UF's university-wide commencement ceremony is scheduled for Friday, May 5. This ceremony is at Steve Spurrier-Florida Field at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium from 7 to 9 p.m. Individual college ceremonies begin May 3 and conclude May 8. Commencement schedule details are available at https://commencement.ufl.edu/spring/event-schedule/

BACKGROUND: More than 10,500 UF students have applied for their degrees this spring.

University of Florida engineering alumna Erin Jackson, a U.S. Olympic gold medalist speedskater, will serve as UF’s university-wide commencement speaker this spring in Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Jackson, 30, who grew up in Ocala and is a 2015 cum laude graduate of UF in materials science and engineering, became the first Black woman in history to win an individual gold medal at the Olympic winter games in 2022 in Beijing. She is also the first Black American woman to win a World Cup Gold Medal.

Additionally, rock artist Tom Petty will be awarded an honorary degree in music from UF. Members of his family will receive it on his behalf.

The faculty speaker at Thursday’s doctoral commencement is Leslie A. Parker, Ph.D., professor in the Department of Biobehavioral Nursing Science in the College of Nursing.

POTENTIAL WEATHER IMPACT: In the event of rain, graduates will be provided with a clear poncho to wear over their robes. The university will communicate with graduates and the public if lightning or severe weather results in the university-wide ceremony being postponed or canceled.  

Note regarding Friday’s ceremony: Members of the news media will need a credential to attend commencement and must wear a commencement robe (provided on site) to be on the field. Media check-in for Friday’s ceremony will be open from 6 to 6:30 p.m. inside the elevator lobby on the north side of the Skybox Tower near Gate 3. (Signage above the lobby door reads “Media/Disabled Seating Deck Entrance.”) Media who wish to gain access to the sidelines must pick up credentials and a robe, go through security and be in place by 6:45 p.m. To request credentials, contact Blake Trauschke, public relations specialist, at btrauschke@ufl.edu or 352-273-3828.