SPC President Tonjua Williams offered her congratulations and shared her pride in the achievements of the college’s latest Titan graduates. Earlier this year, the college announced it was postponing its May graduation ceremony due to concerns about COVID-19. However, that did not stop the virtual celebration of more than 2,000 graduates.
The college created a personalized webpage for graduates at spc.edu/celebration. They can find their name and the degree or certificate they’ve earned, a special video message from President Williams, and some interesting facts about their graduating class, plus social media tools so they can share their success.
“They have faced challenges and overcome obstacles unlike any other graduating class in the history of St. Petersburg College,” Williams said. “Titans exemplify strength. And their perseverance, ingenuity and creativity prove their excellence. Their hard work and dedication inspire us all.”
Earlier this month, college administration, instructors, graduates, their families, and even some cats and dogs, all logged on to celebrate SPC’s 153 nursing graduates. Due to social gathering restrictions during the pandemic, they became the first class in the 64 years of the program to graduate via Zoom conference.
The college’s Veterinary Technology program also celebrated its 39 graduates virtually.
Also, the St. Petersburg College Alumni Association named and congratulated the college’s 2020 Apollo and Alumni Achievement award recipients. As the Apollo Award winner, Garrick Roe received the highest honor an associate degree graduate can achieve. Erika Ostos Perez received the Alumni Achievement Award, the highest honor a bachelor’s graduate can achieve.
This term, the college awarded 2,162 degrees and certificates, including:
- 975 Associate in Arts degrees
- 463 Associate in Science degrees
- 255 Bachelor of Applied Science degrees
- 238 Bachelor of Science degrees
- 230 Certifications
The youngest graduate is 17 years old, the oldest is 75 years old, and 15 graduates are over the age of 60. With this graduating class, SPC will have awarded 180,843 degrees since the college – Florida’s first community college – was founded in 1927.
Currently, SPC is reviewing the possibility of holding commencement for this graduating class at a later date. Ithas yet to be determined.