Commencement ceremonies at the University of South Florida will take place May 8-11 at the Yuengling Center on the Tampa campus.
Alexandra Lopez, a biology student at the USF Sarasota-Manatee campus, recieves Golden
Bull award.
With strong mind and body, Alexandra Lopez breaks out of ‘comfort zone’ to lead
Spring graduate Alexandra Lopez has long made a habit of carefully taking care of her health. A former volleyball player, Lopez started working with a personal trainer when she was a teenager and to this day, she tracks the nutritional content of what she eats. It’s all part of a discipline and a mindset that have nurtured Lopez’s success as a student and as a student government leader at the University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee — and a clear vision for what comes next:
Taking care of children.
Lopez, a biology major and a member of the Judy Genshaft Honors College, lights up at the prospect of someday being a mom but for now, she plans to earn a master’s degree from the USF College of Public Health with a concentration in nutrition and dietetics.
“Children deserve a voice to speak for them because they are such a vulnerable population. Because of that, they are often overlooked,” Lopez said. “I want them to know that I hear them. I want to be there to help them get on the right track.”
Graduate Alison Frate to students: Never take ‘no’ as a final answer
For Alison Frate, USF Sarasota-Manatee has been more than just a place of learning— it’s been a springboard for advancement.
As a first-generation college student, she arrived with ambition, but it was the opportunities she found, pursued and created at USF Sarasota-Manatee that helped her thrive. Now graduating magna cum laude with a marketing degree, Frate leaves with a strong academic record, rich professional experiences and a deepened sense of purpose.
Frate’s time at USF Sarasota-Manatee was defined by a dedication to her academics as a member of the Judy Genshaft Honors College.
“The Honors College pushes us to think outside the box and approach problems creatively,” she said.
Frate is ready to begin the next chapter as a New York Law School student.
Alison Frate, Honors College Spring Graduate
Fummy Nguyen, accounting graduate from the USF Sarasota-Manatee campus
From connection to crowning: Fummy Nguyen reflects on his journey at USF Sarasota-Manatee
As Fummy Nguyen prepares to graduate, he reflects on a journey defined not just by his academic achievement but by the deep connections and community he found at USF Sarasota-Manatee.
For Nguyen, campus life wasn’t just about classes and exams — it was about relationships. Whether through casual conversations or student organizations, he discovered a community that inspired him to grow personally and professionally.
"My favorite part was just coming to campus every day, seeing familiar faces, connecting with other students, and being involved," he said. "It made campus life exciting and made me feel like I was really part of something bigger."