TAMPA, Fla. — It’s a big weekend for some University of South Florida students and some alumni.

Students finally get to walk across the stage of the Yuengling Center to get their degrees.

More than 4,000 students will be handed their long awaited diplomas this weekend.

Starting at noon Saturday, about 3000 summer grads will take the stage, followed by another 1,200 alumni tomorrow, who missed out on their in person graduation ceremonies over the last year and a half due to the pandemic.

USF officials said they’re thrilled to finally offer that in person celebration to as many students as possible.

When COVID-19 forced their commencement ceremonies online, siblings Francesco and Francesca Little didn’t know if they’d ever be able to return to USF for a proper goodbye. 

"It definitely feels good to being able to finally walk," Francesco Little said. "It feels like I'm finally graduationg. It really makes the situation feel real and closes a chapter for my life."