Polk State College will celebrate 130th commencement with two ceremonies

Posted on by Polk Newsroom

Polk State College will celebrate its 130th commencement with two ceremonies on Thursday, May 2, 2024, at the RP Funding Center in Lakeland.

Ceremonies will take place at 10:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m., and graduates have been notified of their assigned ceremonies via their my.polk.edu emails. Graduates will receive additional email communication from the RP Funding Center about redeeming their six allotted tickets. Tickets are not needed for graduates or attendees 2 years old or younger.

Attendees should be prepared for enhanced safety and security measures including metal detectors and bag checks and should review the RP Funding Center’s list of prohibited items: www.rpfundingcenter.com/group-services/prohibited-items.

Individuals who cannot attend in person can watch live streams of the ceremonies at polk.edu/academics/graduation.

Of the 1,239 students who comprise the Spring 2024 Graduating Class:

  • 89% are Polk County residents, with graduates also residing in Brazil, California, Georgia, Kentucky, Massachusetts, North Carolina, New York, Virginia, and West Virginia.
  • 165 will receive degrees from Polk State’s six baccalaureate degree programs.
    • 86 will receive the Bachelor of Applied Science in Supervision and Management
    • 12 will receive the Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Sciences
    • 20 will receive the Bachelor of Science in Nursing
    • 31 will receive the Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice
    • 7 will receive the Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education
    • 9 will receive the Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education
  • 781 will receive the Associate in Arts degree, which is fully transferrable to any institution within the State University System.
  • 162 will receive an Associate in Science degree, which prepares students to transition directly into the workforce in fields including health sciences and engineering technology.
  • 131 will receive certificates, which provide a competitive edge in the workforce.
  • 79 will graduate Summa Cum Laude with grade-point averages (GPAs) of 3.9 or greater.
  • 80 will graduate Magna Cum Laude with GPAs between 3.75 and 3.89; and
  • 168 will graduate Cum Laude with GPAs between 3.5 and 3.74.
  • 30 will graduate with 4.0 GPAs.
  • 2 will graduate with Honors Program distinction.
  • The youngest graduate is 16 and the oldest graduate is 67.

Commencement will feature remarks by Polk State President Angela Garcia Falconetti and the May 2024 Distinguished Alumnus Vincent Miller, a 2003 graduate who serves as Middle School Director for Community Day School.

Miller, who holds a Doctorate in Education Leadership from Lynn University, a Master of Business Administration from Webster University, and a Bachelor of Arts and Science from the University of South Florida, formerly served as Assistant Head of School for Academy Prep. He was also named 2020 Polk County Teacher of the Year when serving as an educator for Winter Haven High School. After completing his Associate in Arts degree at Polk State, he returned to the Educator Preparation Institute, which he completed in 2009. He will provide remarks during the morning commencement ceremony.

More information about graduation is available at polk.edu/academics/graduation. Graduates are encouraged to monitor their my.polk.edu emails for important information and updates.