The University of South Florida’s Class of 2025 achieved remarkable milestones, with a total of 7,749 degrees conferred, including 197 veteran graduates and 131 King O’Neal Scholars who earned a 4.0 GPA.
Among these graduates was a first-generation student who aspires to become a medical doctor. Another first-to-go-to-college student found a path at USF through mentorship and initiative.
Her journey, which included leading research projects and seeking guidance from USF President Rhea Law, exemplifies resilience and determination. She is now preparing for the next chapter in her education, attending law school.
At the USF Health Voice Center, one graduate focused on using the human voice to diagnose and treat diseases by building a database of voices from individuals with various disorders to identify potential biomarkers.
Additionally, another graduate researched hurricanes and their impact on coastal communities, aiming to create more resilient communities through nature-based solutions.
With hurricane season approaching, USF Professor Jennifer Collins is studying how people make decisions before storms hit. Her research is helping government agencies improve emergency communication and evacuation strategies.
Her team recently launched a survey targeting residents affected by Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton to gain insights into what influenced their decisions to evacuate or shelter in place.
Another significant highlight from graduation week was the announcement of students who portrayed Rocky D. Bull, the University of South Florida’s mascot.
Typically seen at athletic events in USF gear, Rocky’s portrayal was brought to life by William Thrasher, Sevastian Flores Mangual, and Joseph Cannella, who have now revealed their identities after graduation.
They shared their experiences of being the face of USF, energizing crowds and uplifting spirits at events.
Additionally, one spring 2025 graduate earned a scholarship and broke records on the football field.
Another graduate, Waseem Albaba, combined his love for video games with his experience from a skateboarding injury to pursue a career in Cybersecurity.
During his time at USF, he helped lead the CyberHerd team to national recognition and graduated with a Master’s in Cybersecurity, ready to embark on his professional journey.
The launch of the College of AI, Cybersecurity, and Computing in Tampa Bay was also featured in the “Be Bold” video. As the first college in the state to focus on AI and Cybersecurity, it aims to address their impacts across various fields of study.
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