Stetson to Celebrate 133rd Commencement With Record-Setting Class

Cory Lancaster May 1, 2019
A graduate walks off stage with his diploma at the ceremony

Stetson University expects to graduate 991 students at its 133rd commencement ceremonies this week, setting a new record for the university. The previous record was set in 2017 with 879 graduating students. As in the last couple of years, the graduate and undergraduate ceremonies will be separate.

portrait outside
Wendy B. Libby, Ph.D.

“We are proud of the Class of 2019, of their achievements, and of the faculty and staff who led them to this point,” said President Wendy B. Libby, Ph.D. “Their success exemplifies the hard work – from everyone at Stetson University — that goes into making a degree a reality.”

Stetson will confer master’s degrees on 174 graduate students from the College of Arts and Sciences, and the School of Business Administration on Thursday, May 9, in the Edmunds Center, 5-6 p.m., with a reception for students, family and friends in the Edmunds Center immediately following the ceremony. Doors open for guests at 3:45 p.m. The Edmunds Center is at 143 E. Pennsylvania Ave., DeLand, Florida, 32723.

A crowd of happy graduates smile and wave their hands in the air.
Happy graduates wave to family and friends during the Commencement ceremony in Spec Martin Memorial Stadium in DeLand in May 2018.

Stetson will honor 817 undergraduate students at its commencement on Saturday, May 11, 8-10 a.m., in Spec Martin Memorial Stadium. Doors open for guests at 6:45 a.m. Receptions for students, family and friends will be held on the DeLand campus immediately following the ceremony. Visit the commencement website for parking, seating and additional information. The stadium is at 260 E. Euclid Ave., DeLand, Florida, 32724.

On the DeLand campus, students and faculty nominate and vote on the keynote speakers. This year the graduate ceremony keynoters are Stephanie Jean Duncan, College of Arts and Sciences, and Laurie Gene Cummins Warfield, School of Business Administration. The undergraduate speakers are Justin Jordan Dalisay, School of Music, and Zoe Maxine Weaver, College of Arts and Sciences.

Both ceremonies will be live streamed for those who cannot attend in person.

In addition to the two commencement ceremonies, Stetson celebrates student achievement with the Army ROTC Commissioning ceremony and Undergraduate Awards & Recognition. Both events will be on Friday, May 10, in Lee Chapel in Elizabeth Hall, 421 N. Woodland Blvd., DeLand, Florida, 32723. Army ROTC Commissioning will be 10 a.m.-Noon, and the awards event is 3-5 p.m.

-Janie Graziani