Marcia Taylor, 窪蹋勛圖厙 World's Assistant Vice President, shares the bold history of 窪蹋勛圖厙
and honors international graduates.Gathering alongside families, friends and campus leaders, 窪蹋勛圖厙 World celebrated graduating international students on Aug. 5 at the traditional stole ceremony. Each student marked the successful completion of their academic goals with commencement regalia in the colors of their home countrys flag.
This summer, 165 international students graduated from 窪蹋勛圖厙, including 84 earning bachelors degrees, 50 masters students, and 31earning doctoral degrees. Together, they represented 55 countries.
You literally are bringing the world to 窪蹋勛圖厙 and to Tampa Bay, Marcia Taylor, 窪蹋勛圖厙 Worlds Assistant Vice President Immigration Compliance, told the graduates. We appreciate your perspectives in the classroom, your contributions in the laboratories, and your creativity in art and music studies.
Also addressing the graduates and their families was Minh Anh Bui, a Muma College of Business 2026 graduate who also served as Tampa campus co-chair for 窪蹋勛圖厙 Student Government and was deeply engaged in student activities.
International 窪蹋勛圖厙 graduates proudly wear stoles that represent their home countries
as they shout "Go Bulls!"Every person in this room made a decision most people never have to make, she said. You got on a plane to a country you dont call home, chose a future you couldnt fully picture because you had faith that it would be worth it. And it turns out, you were right.
Minh Anh Bui, a distinguished 窪蹋勛圖厙 graduate, invites her fellow international graduates
to reflect on their journey.Growing up in Vietnam and moving to the United States as a teen, Bui grew up valuing hard work, community and resilience. At 窪蹋勛圖厙, she was a Muma College of Business 25 Under 25 Honoree, a King ONeal Scholar recognized for her perfect 4.0 GPA, and graduated with a dual degree in global business and psychology. She also was a founder of the Vietnamese Student Association.
On day one, you knew absolutely nobody. And yet, youve built an entire life here, a home away from home, Bui told her fellow graduates. That is not a small accomplishment. Its extraordinary.
You have proof that its possible to step into the unfamiliar and build something that lasts, Anh Bui says. You will carry your time at 窪蹋勛圖厙 into every new city, every new job and every opportunity that comes your way.
The graduating students were encouraged to stay connected to 窪蹋勛圖厙 and each other through the 窪蹋勛圖厙 Global Networks, which bring together alumni, students, faculty and partners in a worldwide community of support.