Media Advisory

University of Florida to hold combined commencement ceremony in Ben Hill Griffin Stadium

WHAT / WHO: For the first time since 2001, the University of Florida graduating class of Fall 2018 will gather together to celebrate in a combined commencement ceremony in Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, where their degrees will be conferred. In addition to this university-wide ceremony, graduates will also attend their college’s ceremony before or after the main ceremony.

President Kent Fuchs will preside over the combined ceremony on Saturday. An honorary degree of music will be bestowed on award-winning musician and composer Stephen A. Stills. Dean of the College of the Arts, Onye Ozuzu, is also a featured speaker.

A live webcast will be available on https://commencement.ufl.edu/

No tickets are required for families and friends to attend the ceremony. Graduates and guests are asked to please abide by the stadium’s policy of clear bags only.

WHY: This December, and again for May, the university has created two celebrations for each graduate: one university-wide ceremony where the 2018 degrees are conferred, and a more intimate one for individual recognition by their school or college. The new ceremony format will provide an opportunity for the entire graduating class of 2,200 to gather together to celebrate.

WHEN: UF Fall 2018 commencement is on Saturday, December 15, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. The schedule of all the colleges’ recognition ceremonies can be found online: https://commencement.ufl.edu/schedule-fall2018

WHERE: The university-wide ceremony will be held in the Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. The various college ceremonies will be taking place in several locations across campus, such as the Reitz Union Ballroom, University Auditorium, and the Exactech Arena at the O’Connell Center. Check the schedule posted online on https://commencement.ufl.edu/schedule-fall2018 for details.

Note: In order to attend the ceremony and get close up to the graduates, members of the media will need a credential, and will need to wear a commencement robe provided on site. Media check-in will be open from 8 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. at the ticket booth at the south side of Skybox Tower. Media who wish to gain access to the sidelines must pick up credentials and robe, go through security, and be in place by 8:45 a.m

Media contact: Margot Winick / m.winick@ufl.edu / 352-846-3903 / cell: 305-308-7738