The 51在线 (USF) Judy Genshaft Honors College concluded the 2024 calendar year by celebrating the academic achievements of 103 fall 2024 Honors graduates through ceremonies held across USF鈥檚 three campuses.
St. Petersburg Honors Graduation Dinner
Each outstanding Honors graduate completed dedicated Honors coursework, including either an Honors thesis or a capstone research project. Graduates also fulfilled either two global experience requirements and a 50-hour service commitment or an experiential learning requirement encompassing two activities from career and leadership development, community service, creative and artistic pursuits, global experiences, or research.
These accomplishments, along with the completion of each student鈥檚 degree work, were recognized with remarks from Honors leaders at the Tampa Honors Graduation Celebration Ceremony, the St. Petersburg Honors Graduation Dinner, and the Sarasota-Manatee Honors Symposium.
During these ceremonies, graduates were presented with the prestigious Judy Genshaft Honors College medallion, highlighting the unique academic journey of each student.
The fall 2024 class achieved an impressive average GPA of 3.8, with 11 USF King O鈥橬eal Scholars graduating with a perfect 4.0 GPA.
FALL 2024 DEAN鈥橲 CIRCLE OF MERIT RECIPIENTS
In addition to receiving their Honors medallion, four graduating students were recognized with a fall 2024 Dean鈥檚 Circle of Merit award for their contributions to the Honors community in the areas of leadership, service, research, or global citizenship.
ALINA JOHN
Recognized for her exceptional leadership, Alina John received the Dean鈥檚 Circle of Merit Award in the category of leadership while earning her degree in biological health sciences with a minor in public health.
Throughout her time in the Honors College, John demonstrated remarkable dedication to her peers, serving as a peer mentor and passionate health advocate, empowering others and fostered a supportive community through her work on programs like the Girl Scouts high award initiatives and study abroad experiences.
Her Honors capstone project focused on creating a website for Bull Nurses for Moms and Babies, aimed at highlighting reproductive health, rights, and justice to promote equitable nursing care. However, John鈥檚 most cherished Honors experience was studying abroad in South Korea, where she found a 鈥渉ome away from home,鈥� built lifelong friendships, and returned inspired to continue discovering new cultures and perspectives.
After graduation, John plans to apply to medical school with the goal of pursuing a career in pediatric medicine, carrying forward her commitment to leadership and advocacy.
ABDUL MUQEET KHAWAJA
Abdul Muqeet Khawaja's proudest accomplishment at USF was becoming the first international student to serve as Campus Governor at USF St. Petersburg, where he worked to amplify student voices and concerns. His leadership journey also included becoming the first co-chair of the Judy Genshaft Honors College St. Petersburg Student Council. Through these roles, he demonstrated resilience, passion, and empathy, always prioritizing the needs of his peers. He received the Dean鈥檚 Circle of Merit Award in the category of leadership for his exceptional dedication and service.
While at USF, Muqeet Khawaja earned dual degrees in business analytics and information systems and accounting and was honored as a King O鈥橬eal Scholar, recognizing his academic excellence and commitment to his field.
After graduation, he plans to work in financial software consulting at Jabil while preparing for his CPA certification, aiming to carry forward the leadership and values he cultivated at USF to make a meaningful impact in his professional career.
KRISH VEERA
Krish Veera received the Dean's Circle of Merit Award in the category of service for his exceptional dedication to volunteering and community impact. He earned dual degrees in computer science and physical sciences and completed an Honors capstone project focused on creating instructional resources using inquiry-based learning skills and programming concepts.
Veera鈥檚 commitment to service extended across campus, the Tampa Bay area, and beyond. His contributions included supporting the Honors Community Garden, volunteering at the WellFed Food Pantry, and organizing food drives for Feeding Tampa Bay. As a member of student organizations like the Rotaract Club of USF and Google Developer Groups Tampa Bay, he led coding workshops for children, further exemplifying his passion for making a difference.
It鈥檚 no surprise that Veera said his most cherished Honors experience was a community service trip to Puerto Rico, where he camped in El Yunque National Forest, assisted with trail maintenance and work at Hacienda Tres Angeles coffee plantations, and visited Mar Chiquita beach.
After graduation, Veera plans to pursue graduate school and work in corporate technology research to advance cutting-edge technology, continuing his mission to create meaningful change.
MARYAM LATIF
Maryam Latif received the Dean's Circle of Merit Award in the category of global citizenship for her exceptional commitment to cultural exchange and global engagement which extended to roles as a global ambassador, research assistant at the Global Center for Hearing and Speech Research, and peer mentor, where she inspired others and promoted the value of global citizenship.
Latif earned her degree in Biomedical Sciences with a minor in Deaf Studies, and cited studying abroad in South Korea through the spring 2023 South Korea Beyond the Classroom program as her most cherished Honors memory. During the trip, she immersed herself in local culture, built lasting relationships, and experienced moments of personal growth that extended beyond the classroom. She later served as a teaching assistant for the program, fostering cross-cultural connections and enhancing cultural competence among her peers.
After graduation, Latif will join the arbovirology team as a laboratory scientist at the 51在线 Department of Health.
WRAPPING UNDERGRAD UP RIGHT
Sarasota-Manatee Honors Graduation Symposium
The Tampa Honors Graduation Ceremony was attended by over 300 friends and family and presided over by Judy Genshaft Honors College Dean Charles Adams.
鈥淭he fall 2024 graduates of the Judy Genshaft Honors College exemplify the best of what it means to be a Bull,鈥� said Dean Charles Adams. 鈥淭heir achievements reflect the dedication and resilience required to make a meaningful impact both within and beyond the university. I am especially proud of our Dean鈥檚 Circle of Merit Award winners, whose contributions in global citizenship, leadership, and service showcase the transformative power of an Honors education. These graduates leave a lasting legacy, and we look forward to seeing the remarkable ways they will shape the future.鈥�
Overall, USF awarded nearly 4,000 degrees to students from 93 countries, 42 states, and 11 U.S. territories.
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