University of South Florida

1 week ago | usf.edu | Paul Guzzo

By Paul Guzzo, University Communications and Marketing As a little kid in Tampa, Krishna Patel had advanced YouTube habits. “Ever since I knew what YouTube was, TED Talks have been a part of my routine — listening to them on my way to school, while working out, even before I slept,” said the 20-year-old who graduated from the University of South Florida last Fall with a bachelor’s degree in biomedical sciences.

1 week ago | usf.edu | Ryan Hughes |Paul Guzzo

By Ryan Hughes and Paul Guzzo, University Communications and Marketing The University of South Florida will award more than 7,700 degrees during spring commencement ceremonies May 8-11 in the Yuengling Center on the Tampa campus. The ceremonies include recipients of 5,848 bachelor’s, 1,631 master’s, 265 doctoral and five specialist degrees.

1 week ago | usf.edu | Paul Guzzo

By Paul Guzzo, University Communications and Marketing If not for her perseverance and ability to overcome self-doubt, Lisa Patterson might never have reached her goal of earning a college degree. “I had a rough upbringing,” said Patterson, now an office manager at USF Health. “Four months before my high school graduation, I had to leave my home in Tampa and move to Virginia with my mother. So, I dropped out.” That occurred in 1999.

1 week ago | usf.edu | Paul Guzzo

By Paul Guzzo, University Communications and Marketing Before she ever held a blueprint, Rozeth Aquino held Legos and a dream of becoming a dentist. “I had an aunt who did my braces and I thought it was really cool,” she said. “In high school, I even had a Christmas ornament that was a tooth that said ‘Best Dentist.’” But the hands-on creativity she loved led her to architecture. This spring, Aquino earns her Master of Architecture degree and leaves a lasting impact on the Tampa campus.

1 week ago | usf.edu | Paul Guzzo

By Paul Guzzo, University Communications and Marketing While classmates tossed their caps skyward in 2002, a pregnant Tammy Mascato remained home to hold a feverish infant son in her arms — and missed her own college graduation. Decades later, she’s finally celebrating a university commencement properly — this time alongside her son, Bennett Moscato, with whom she was pregnant that day.