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The Commencement of the Class of 2023

#Eckerd23

Sunday, May 21, 2023, 8 a.m. ET
South Beach Field

Commencement takes place right on campus alongside our beautiful South Beach. With the stunning Boca Ciega Bay as the backdrop, families gather each year beneath an open-air tent to celebrate this wonderful occasion. Read about our most recent celebration.

Eckerd College 60th Commencement

Speeches and remarks

Baccalaureate Address

James J. Annarelli
President
Transcript

Eckerd College 60th Commencement

Land Acknowledgment

Cameron E.L. Dasher
Class of 2023
Transcript

Invocation

Douglas H. McMahon Jr.
Director of Religious Life and College Chaplain
Transcript

Welcome

James J. Annarelli
President
Transcript

Congratulations from the Board

Ian P. Johnson ’89
Chair
Transcript

Greetings from the Graduating Class

Love A. Bauer
Class of 2023
Transcript

Commencement Address

LaRuby Z. May ’97
Attorney, Human Rights Activist, Teacher

Farewell

James J. Annarelli
President
Transcript

Aerial view of fireworks over Fox Pond at Eckerd College

Awards

The Philip Lee Honor Award

The Philip Lee Honor Award is presented to the senior student whose scholarly achievements at Eckerd College have demonstrated both exceptional present accomplishment and superior future promise. Through the Philip Lee Honor Award, the College honors the first Chairman of its Board of Trustees.

The 2023 recipient is Isabel Berry ’23.

The Ronald Wilson Memorial Award

The Ronald Wilson Award is presented to a senior student who has made a significant contribution to the total College community. Through the Ronald Wilson Award, the College honors the late Ronald Wilson, a valuable member of the Board of Trustees.

This year’s recipient is Carter Weinhofer ’23.

The James H. Robinson Award

The James H. Robinson Award is presented to the senior student who has by leadership and example contributed significantly to the experience of underrepresented students at Eckerd College and to a fuller appreciation of cross-cultural values throughout the whole Eckerd community. Through the Robinson Award the College recognizes the pioneering contributions of the Reverend James Robinson to the field of African-American relations.

This year’s recipient is Evin George ’23.

The Miller Award

The Miller Award is presented to the senior student whose life activities best exemplify the ideal of unselfish and public-spirited service to the community, off campus as well as on campus. Through the Miller Award, the College honors two of its distinguished friends, Francis Pickens Miller, who was the first president of the Board of Visitors, and his wife, Helen Hill Miller.

This year’s recipient is Audrey Marsala ’23.

The John Satterfield Outstanding Mentor Award

Named in honor of a beloved member of the founding faculty, this award honors the special and vital role of the mentor in a student’s life at Eckerd. The selection of the recipient is based on the impact the mentor has had in the areas of academic programming, career planning, and personal growth.

This year’s recipient is Professor of Environmental Science and Biology Elizabeth Forys.

The Robert A. Staub Distinguished Teacher Award

This award recognizes the primary importance of teaching in the College, celebrates teaching excellence in an individual faculty member, and encourages the pursuit of teaching excellence by the faculty as a whole. The award is made possible by the generosity of a distinguished former member of the College’s Board of Trustees, Robert A. Staub, whose concern for excellence in teaching reflects his understanding of and commitment to the central role of faculty members in a liberal arts education.

This year’s recipient is Professor of Chemistry Polina Maciejczyk.

Honorary Degrees

LaRuby May ’97
Attorney, Human Rights Activist, Teacher
Doctor of Humane Letters

Grover Wrenn ’64
Entrepreneur, Retired Executive, Nature Photographer
Doctor of Humane Letters

Previous Ceremonies

Looking for previous Commencement materials?

Visit our Library Archives and our YouTube playlist for digital copies of programs, speeches and remarks from previous Eckerd College commencement ceremonies.