About 700 graduates walked across the stage at the Florida State Fairgrounds to receive their UT diplomas. May commencement was moved from its previous location, Amalie Arena, and was broken up into two separate ceremonies to alleviate the problems that had plagued the event in the past, including parking and ceremony length.
As UT’s website noted, “Due to scheduling conflicts at the Amalie Arena and in an effort to plan for the best commencement experience, Spring 2017 commencement will take place at the Expo Hall at the Florida State Fairgrounds.”
Each ceremony lasted two hours, as opposed to the four-hour marathon ceremonies of the past. The university has experienced 20 years of consecutive growth, and now enrolls more than 8,000 students.
The provost received a good-natured boo-ing when he asked graduates to refrain from taking selfies while on stage. “I can feel the love,” he responded.