Polk State to celebrate 118th commencement ceremony

Posted on by Polk Newsroom

118th graduating class

Nearly 700 students with Polk State College’s 118th graduating class will walk the stage Thursday, May 3, at the RP Funding Center to receive their diplomas.

The upcoming commencement ceremony, which will start at 6:30 p.m. at 701 W. Lime St. in Lakeland, will feature remarks by Florida’s Commissioner of Agriculture Adam Putnam.

“We are truly honored to have Commissioner Putnam joining us to celebrate the success of our students,” Polk State President Angela Garcia Falconetti said. “Commissioner Putnam is a longtime supporter of Polk County and its local state college, and I believe students and guests will benefit greatly from his words of encouragement and his vision for Florida’s future.”

A total of 1,077 students qualify to march in the May 2018 commencement ceremony. Ninety percent of those are Polk County residents.

Here’s a more detailed look at Polk State’s 118th graduating class:

  • 218 students will receive degrees from one of Polk State’s baccalaureate programs:
    • 142 will receive a Bachelor of Applied Science in Supervision and Management
    • 48 will receive a Bachelor of Science in Nursing
    • 21 will receive a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice
    • 7 will receive a Bachelor of Science in Aerospace
  • 672 students will receive Associate in Arts degrees, which are fully transferable to any institution within the State University System.
  • 187 students will receive Associate in Science degrees, which prepare students to go directly into the workforce in fields including nursing, engineering technology, and diagnostic medical sonography.
  • 57 students will graduate Summa Cum Laude with a grade-point average (GPA) of 3.9 or greater; 64 will graduate Magna Cum Laude with a GPA between 3.75 and 3.89; and 151 will graduate Cum Laude with a GPA between 3.5 and 3.74.
  • 28 students will graduate with 4.0 grade-point averages.
  • 18 students will receive the College’s Honors Program distinction on their diplomas. These students have completed a minimum of 18 credit hours in courses with Honors Program designation and achieved a grade-point average of 3.2 or greater.
  • The youngest graduate is 16 and the oldest is 64.
  • In addition to Florida, students from Colorado, Maryland, New York, Ohio, Texas, and Virginia will receive Polk State diplomas.

“Polk State’s 118th commencement ceremony will celebrate the achievements and perseverance of all students and their supporters,” Falconetti said. “Our students serve as testaments to the College’s ability to provide access to quality higher education that prepares them for life and success.”

The ceremony also will honor Polk County Sheriff’s Office Chief of Staff Steve Lester, who will receive the Polk State College Foundation’s May 2018 Distinguished Alumnus Award.

Chief Lester received a Polk State Associate in Science degree in 1982 and a Polk State Associate in Arts degree in 1983, and credits the College with giving him the educational foundation he needs to be successful.

He went on to receive a bachelor’s degree from the University of Florida and a master’s degree from Troy University. He reports directly to Sheriff Grady Judd, and is second in command of the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, where he has served for more than 30 years.

Chief Lester will join Polk State on May 3 in celebration of the College’s 118th graduating class.