The College of the Arts celebrated the accomplishments of over 275 students at three spring commencement ceremonies on May 4 and 5 in the Stephen C. O’Connell Center.
“Our students’ passion, talents and relentless drive are integral to the college and sustain its mission of providing creative and cultural opportunities for the Gator Nation,” Dean Lucinda Lavelli said. “Along with the faculty and staff of the University of Florida College of the Arts, I extend to our sincerest appreciation to the students for the creativity they have brought to our campus.”
During the doctoral commencement on May 4, the university awarded Broadway icon Dr. Chita Rivera with a honorary Doctor of Fine Arts degree. School of Theatre + Dance (SOTD) students Duncan Vanderberg, Marina Bolser and Valerie Torres-Rosario performed a special West Side Story tribute in honor of Rivera during the commencement ceremony. Rivera then treated SOTD students with a master class at the Stephen C. O'Connell Center.
The college also recognized Dance Alive National Ballet choreographers Judy Skinner (MED '71), director of grants and arts education programming, and Kim Tuttle, executive/artistic director, with Distinguished Alumna Awards.
