Polk State College will celebrate 131st Commencement on December 4

Posted on by Polk Newsroom

131st commencement

Polk State College will celebrate its 131st commencement on Wednesday, December 4, 2024, at the RP Funding Center in Lakeland.

The ceremony will begin at 6:30 p.m. and include remarks by Polk State President Dr. Angela Garcia Falconetti and Bill Tinsley, who will be honored as the December 2024 Distinguished Alumnus.

Graduates will receive email communication from the RP Funding Center to redeem up to six tickets for their guests. 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.

The Fall 2024 Graduating Class is comprised of 1,106 students who are eligible to participate in the 131st commencement ceremony. Of those:

  • 87% are Polk County residents, with graduates also residing in California, Colorado, Georgia, Indiana, Kansas, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, North Carolina, New Mexico, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Washington, and the Czech Republic.
  • 220 will receive degrees from Polk State’s six baccalaureate degree programs.
    • 103 will receive the Bachelor of Applied Science in Supervision and Management
    • 9 will receive the Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Sciences
    • 57 will receive the Bachelor of Science in Nursing
    • 31 will receive the Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice
    • 2 will receive the Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education
    • 18 will receive the Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education
  • 452 will receive the Associate in Arts degree, which is fully transferrable to any institution within the State University System.
  • 214 will receive the Associate in Science, which prepares students to transition directly into the workforce in fields including health sciences and engineering technology.
  • 220 will receive certificates, which give them a competitive edge in the workforce.
  • 39 will graduate Summa Cum Laude with grade-point averages (GPAs) of 3.9 or greater.
  • 64 will graduate Magna Cum Laude with GPAs between 3.75 and 3.89.
  • 158 will graduate Cum Laude with GPAs between 3.5 and 3.74.
  • 14 will graduate with 4.0 GPAs.
  • The youngest graduate is 16 and the oldest is 67.

Tinsley, a 1969 graduate of then Polk Junior College, will be honored with the December 2024 Distinguished Alumnus Award. Born and raised in Polk County, Tinsley also holds a Bachelor of Science in Physical Education, Health, and Recreation from the University of South Florida.

Tinsley’s 45-year career with the City of Lakeland started in recreation. He became the city’s third Parks and Recreation Director and was involved in the development of several parks, including Hollis Gardens and Lake Mirror Park.

After retiring from the City of Lakeland in 2009, Tinsley became the liaison to the Detroit Tigers. He led the design of the Major and Minor League facilities at Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium.

Tinsley is most recently known for being a co-founder of Bonnet Springs Park in Lakeland.

Tinsley is highly involved in supporting the community, with service on the boards of many local organizations, such as Girls Inc., Boys and Girls Clubs of Lakeland, and the Junior League of Greater Lakeland. He also had a founding role in establishing Lakeland Youth Soccer.