FSU, FAMU summer graduation: Our best photos from the commencement ceremony

Summer graduates from Florida State and Florida A&M Universities grinned from ear-to-ear Aug. 1 as they crossed the stage and received their diplomas.

While nearly 1,850 students participated in FSU's three commencement ceremonies at the Tucker Civic Center, approximately 400 students from FAMU's 14 schools and colleges took part in the HBCU's (historically Black college or university) sole graduation event at the Al Lawson Center on campus.

And what made FAMU's commencement extra bittersweet was the fact that it marked the last ceremony outgoing interim President Timothy Beard presided over as President Marva Johnson – who was not in attendance – officially took the helm of the university Aug. 1.

"In a sense, we are graduating together to embark upon a new journey," Beard said as he closed the ceremony. "Today, I can truly relate to the feeling of closing one chapter and having those feelings of butterflies as I consider what's next."

'An obligation to FAMU': Interim President Timothy Beard's parting message for Rattlers

At FSU, as President Richard McCullough conducted the university's ceremonies, graduates had the opportunity to hear from commencement speakers Jim Henderson – an FSU trustee and entrepreneur who founded the insurance brokerage firms AssuredPartners – and Dr. Pamela Keel, an internationally known psychology professor and expert on eating disorders and body image.

The keynote speaker at FAMU's graduation ceremony was award-winning storyteller and podcast host Laterras R. Whitfield.

Tarah Jean is the higher education reporter for the Tallahassee Democrat, a member of the USA TODAY Network – Florida. She can be reached at  tjean@tallahassee.com . Follow her on X:  @tarahjean_ .

This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: FSU, FAMU summer graduation: Photos of the big day