Close to 150 friends, family and loved ones gathered to celebrate these new Gator graduates on Saturday, May 5th at the F-Club, located at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. This semester, about 200 students graduated via UF Online from 22 degree programs across eight colleges.
The commencement reception drew families from as far away as Honduras to celebrate the achievements of these Gator grads. Attendees mingled over refreshments, posed for photos, and met UF Online advisors, faculty and staff.
One graduate, John Chaffin, who majored in psychology, was joined at the commencement reception by a large group of supporters.
“I would have never thought it would be possible to receive my degree from the University of Florida while being a full-time stay-at-home dad to two of the best children in the world,” he said.
Another psychology graduate, Nayibis Pacheco, took UF Online coursework for four years while working full-time as an addiction specialist at a rehabilitation facility in Naples.
She attended the commencement reception with her husband, daughter, brother, parents and mother-in-law.
“It’s a good feeling,” Pacheco said about graduating. “So much joy.”
