The University of North Florida graduated a record 2,300 students on Friday during its Spring 2026 commencement at the UNF Arena.

The graduating class represents 30 countries, with 36% of graduates being the first in their families to attend college, according to a UNF press release. Degrees were awarded across 126 different major combinations, and 324 graduates have military ties. Ages among the class ranged from 20 to 68.

Jermaine Daniels II received the Senior Service Award after logging more than 700 hours of community service. The communication major served as chapter president of Kappa Alpha Psi and was named Mr. UNF for the 2024-25 academic year, according to the press release.

The Graduate Service Award went to Hayley Spring, a Jacksonville native enrolled in UNF’s Master of Public Administration program since 2023. Spring has served on city committees focused on street design, public communication and climate resilience, and led monthly neighborhood conversations through the community organization 904WARD, according to the press release.

Three students from The Arc Jacksonville’s On-Campus Transition Program at UNF were also recognized. The program offers young adults with intellectual differences a college experience designed to support their transition to independence, according to the press release.

The Spring 2026 class brings UNF’s total alumni network to 117,785. Since the university opened in 1972, it has conferred more than 102,000 bachelor’s degrees, 25,000 master’s degrees and 1,766 doctorates, according to the press release.

___

For more information or news tips, or if you see an error in this story or have any compliments or concerns, contact [email protected].