On Tuesday, Dec. 10, more than 2,000 Valencia College students will receive their associate or bachelor’s degrees or technical certificates when the college holds its fall commencement ceremonies at Addition Financial Arena on the University of Central Florida’s main campus.
Valencia College will hold two ceremonies: one at noon and another at 4 p.m.
This year’s commencement address will be given by Jae Tillman, named the Summer/Fall 2024 Distinguished Graduate by the Valencia College Alumni Association.
Tillman grew up a mile from Valencia College’s West Campus in Carver Shores. As a kid, he faced many personal tragedies – the death of his mom, the breakup of his family, and learning that his younger brother probably wouldn’t live past 20. By the end of elementary school, he was diagnosed as being on the autism spectrum. Yet Tillman never stopped believing he could one day earn his college degree. While he struggled with college at first—and dropped out twice—he sought help from faculty and advisors and took advantage of every resource that Valencia had. Tillman will graduate with his Associate in Arts degree and plans to pursue a bachelor’s degree in business.
One of the youngest graduates in the December commencement ceremonies will be 14-year-old Gracie Sous, a dual enrollment student from Olympia High School. After receiving her Associate in Arts degree from Valencia, she’ll start at the University of Central Florida in January – and hopes to begin applying to medical school when she’s 17.
The ceremonies will be streamed live on the Valencia College website at https://valenciacollege.edu/graduation. A recorded version will be available online one week after the ceremony.