Disney executive George A. Kalogridis ’76 will address approximately 3,900 UCF graduates and their supporters during the university’s Summer 2020 Virtual Commencement August 1.
Kalogridis serves as president of segment development and enrichment for Disney Parks Experiences and Products. In this role, he works to deepen the guest and cast experience at Disney destinations worldwide.
Kalogridis began his career at Walt Disney World in 1971, bussing tables as he pursued his bachelor’s degree in sociology at UCF. Prior to assuming his current role in 2019, he has held numerous executive positions, including chief operating officer of Disneyland Paris, president of Disneyland Resort in California, and president of Florida’s Walt Disney World Resort.
About Summer 2020 Commencement
During the virtual commencement, each of UCF’s colleges will recognize their graduates by hosting individual ceremonies on the University’s main Facebook and YouTube pages. All of the ceremonies will be archived on YouTube afterward. The names of every graduate from each college will be read aloud and displayed on screen. Graduates can submit the phonetic pronunciation of their names by July 13.
A celebration video, comprised of pre-recorded well-wishes from graduate’s supporters will be shared on UCF’s social media channels in the days leading up to commencement. Supporters of graduates are encouraged to submit videos congratulating, encouraging and inspiring this summer’s graduating class by July 19.
As with the Spring 2020 virtual commencement, this summer’s virtual celebration of graduates is meant to complement, not replace, the traditional commencement ceremony. The university is committed to rescheduling traditional spring and summer commencement ceremonies when it is safe to do so. Cap and gown rentals continue to be available for students who would like to take photos in their gowns. Alternatively, Herff Jones will refund students who prefer to cancel their cap and gown order completely.
Throughout its history, UCF has championed diversity amongst its student body. More than half of this summer’s 3,900 degrees will be conferred to students from traditionally underrepresented communities. Hispanic students comprise more than one-quarter of all degree recipients. Annually, UCF graduates one of the highest numbers of minorities in the nation.
Of the 3,900 degrees, UCF plans to confer approximately 3,125 bachelor’s degrees, 646 master’s degrees, and 162 doctorates. In total, more than 358,000 degrees have been earned at UCF since classes formally began in 1968.
A full schedule for UCF’s Summer 2020 virtual commencement ceremonies follows:
Business Administration
8:30 a.m.
Graduate Studies
9:45 a.m.
Optics and Photonics
10:15 a.m.
Medicine
10:45 a.m.
Rosen College of Hospitality Management
11:30 a.m.
Undergraduate Studies
12:15 p.m.
Nursing
1 p.m.
Health Professions and Sciences
2 p.m.
Arts and Humanities
3 p.m.
Engineering and Computer Science
3:45 p.m.
Community Innovation and Education
4:45 p.m.
Sciences
6:00 p.m.
