Florida State University is set to honor memory, perseverance, and accomplishment as its largest graduating cohort in history receives diplomas during the Spring 2025 commencement, occurring mere days following a campus shooting that resulted in two fatalities and six injuries. Six ceremonies are scheduled at the Donald L. Tucker Civic Center in Tallahassee on May 2 and 3.
President Richard McCullough will oversee five graduation ceremonies along with a doctoral hooding event for Ph.D. graduates across all fields. Approximately 7,183 students are anticipated to participate in the six events spanning two days.
FSU aims to confer 8,926 degrees to 8,690 students from May 2-4. This total comprises 6,862 bachelor’s degrees, 1,558 master’s and specialist degrees, and 247 doctoral degrees. The College of Law will bestow 259 degrees on May 4.
Additionally, the College of Medicine will grant 113 degrees on May 17.
Following the April 17 campus incident, the university has enhanced security protocols for all graduation ceremonies. Extra police and security staff will be present to protect the safety of graduates, families, and guests as our community unites in both remembering and celebrating.
Here’s a preview of the speaker lineup for each ceremony:
FRIDAY, MAY 2
9 a.m. – Doctoral Hooding Ceremony
2 p.m. – College of Business
Speaker: Ash Williams
Ash Williams, vice chair for J.P. Morgan Asset Management, is a specialist in investment management and a longtime leader of the Florida State Board of Administration, managing approximately $195 billion in assets. He is a two-time graduate of FSU and is part of the FSU Foundation Board of Trustees. Williams is also a recipient of the FSU Faculty Senate’s Mores Torch Award, which honors those who uphold the university’s traditions.
7 p.m. – College of Arts & Sciences
Speaker: Ken Jones
Ken Jones, a member of the Florida Board of Governors and FSU alumnus, is the founder and managing partner of Third Lake Partners, a global investment company. His career encompasses law, business, and public service — advising U.S. Senate leadership and directing the 2012 Republican National Convention. He also holds positions on the boards of the National Football Foundation, the Florida Council of 100, and Tampa’s Straz Center for the Performing Arts.
SATURDAY, MAY 3
9 a.m. – Dedman College of Hospitality, Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship, College of Applied Studies, College of Medicine, College of Motion Picture Arts, College of Social Sciences & Public Policy
Speaker: Mel Stith
Mel Stith is a former dean of FSU College of Business who contributed to establishing the Jim Moran Institute for Global Entrepreneurship. He is renowned for mentoring students, fostering robust donor relationships, and advocating for veterans and underrepresented scholars. After his tenure at FSU, he went on to direct Syracuse University’s Whitman School of Management and later acted as interim president of Norfolk State University. He currently is a board member of The Jim Moran Foundation at FSU.
2 p.m. – FAMU-FSU College of Engineering, College of Nursing, Anne Spencer Daves College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences
Speaker: Ricky Polston
Ricky Polston is a former chief justice and justice of the Florida Supreme Court, currently a partner at Shutts & Bowen LLP. He served on Florida’s highest court for over 14 years and played a role in modernizing the state judiciary system. Polston spent 20 years teaching law at Florida State, covering subjects such as insurance law, appellate practice, and accounting for lawyers. He obtained both his accounting and law degrees from FSU.
7 p.m. – College of Fine Arts, College of Communication & Information, College of Criminology & Criminal Justice, College of Social Work, College of Music
Speaker: Cecile Reynaud
Cecile Reynaud, a Hall of Famer from FSU and former head coach of Seminole Volleyball, led the program from 1976 to 2001 with a total of 635 career victories. Her teams made 13 appearances at national tournaments and secured multiple conference championships. Reynaud served as the deputy competition manager at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics and currently holds the position of vice president for volleyball operations with the Pro Volleyball Federation. She earned both her master’s and Ph.D. from Florida State.
Florida State University Panama City is scheduled to hold its spring graduation ceremony at 6:30 p.m. CT on Sunday, May 4, at Tommy Oliver Stadium in Panama City. John Barnhill, FSU associate vice president of Enrollment Management, will address the graduating class.
For additional details regarding FSU’s spring commencement and live-streaming options, please visit commencement.fsu.edu.
The article FSU to honor memory, perseverance, record-breaking graduating cohort at spring commencement first appeared on Florida State University News.