Polk State Getting Creative to Celebrate Spring 2020 Graduates

Polk State College is celebrating more than a thousand graduating students this Spring 2020 Semester and is getting creative to publicly recognize their milestone accomplishments.

Due to the need to cancel the May 7 commencement ceremonies to help prevent the spread of COVID-19, Polk State is offering a variety of virtual opportunities for graduates to participate in, including the creation of lifelong keepsakes for them and their families.

"Polk State College's 122nd graduating class is incredibly resilient, with our graduating students demonstrating an unwavering commitment to their academic goals during this unprecedented and challenging time," Polk State President Angela Garcia Falconetti said. "In addition to celebrating their achievements throughout their college journeys, it is also important for us to highlight their great perseverance in the last stretch toward their degrees. Their ability to adapt quickly, remain focused, and succeed during this public health emergency deserves an applause greater than that at any ceremony."

To celebrate this semester's graduates, Polk State is collecting information and pictures from students to feature on the College's billboards, to create a virtual yearbook, and to include in HAVEN and LKLD magazines that will serve as keepsakes similar to the traditionally published commencement ceremony bulletin. The College will also be celebrating with virtual activities and contests on the Polk State Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter pages.

Students are encouraged to share how they are celebrating graduation – whether it's with a backyard ceremony with family, or a Zoom party with peers. Students can email [email protected] for the opportunity to be featured on http://www.polk.edu, social media, and more. More information is available online at http://www.polk.edu/academics/graduation.

Of Polk State's 1,083 spring 2020 graduates:

- 90 percent are Polk County residents, with graduates also residing in Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Washington, Iowa, and New York.

- 200 will receive degrees from one of Polk State's baccalaureate degree programs.

o 109 will receive the Bachelor of Applied Science in Supervision and Management

o 13 will receive the Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Sciences

o 30 will receive the Bachelor of Science in Nursing

o 26 will receive the Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice

o 19 will receive the Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education

o 3 will receive the Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education

- 740 will receive Associate in Arts degrees, which are fully transferable to any institution within the State University System.

- 143 will receive Associate in Science degrees, which prepare students to transition directly into the workforce in fields including health sciences and engineering technology.

- 59 will graduate Summa Cum Laude with grade-point averages (GPAs) of 3.9 or greater; 83 will graduate Magna Cum Laude with GPAs between 3.75 and 3.89; and 159 will graduate Cum Laude with GPAs between 3.5 and 3.74.

- 28 will graduate with 4.0 GPAs.

- The youngest graduate is 15 and the oldest is 65.

"Polk State's Spring 2020 Graduating Class will go down in history as a unique group of students who are undoubtedly strong and resilient," Falconetti said. "Despite the circumstances, they have achieved great success and I am positive that they will soar to new heights."

About Polk State College

Located in Winter Haven, Florida, and established in 1964, Polk State College is a multi-campus institution serving more than 16,000 students with Bachelor of Applied Science, Bachelor of Science, Associate in Arts, and Associate in Science degrees, as well as a wide range of certificate and workforce training options. The College also operates three charter high schools.

Polk State's advantages include small class sizes; hands-on learning; dedicated faculty; day and night classes; online options; affordable tuition; excellent financial aid; and a diverse community and vibrant student life, including fine arts opportunities, clubs, and intercollegiate athletics.