USF Grad Cap Contest

Graduates – show off your creativity and get involved by entering the USF Grad Cap contest! You’ll have a chance to win reserved seats for friends and family at your Commencement ceremony. Let’s see those cap designs!

Summer 2026 Winners

Click on images to view in a larger size:

Decorated grad cap that depicts a sandy beach with words reading: "See ya!"

1st Place

Morgan Kersey

Decorated grad cap with USF green and gold flowers affixed and words that read: Accelerated BSN

2nd Place

Ashley Valencia

Decorated grad cap depicting two young women, one with angel wings, and the words: "Watching from somewhere beautiful". Sunflowers are also affixed to decorate the edgges of the cap.

3rd Place

Samantha Mutter

A decorated grad cab in the style of a cake with frosting and fake cherries surrounding the edges of the cap with words that read: "A piece of cake!". It also depicts Rocky the Bull holding up a slice of cake on a plate in the middle of the grad cap.

Bull pride

Ella Azdell

How to Enter

  1. Decorate your grad cap. Be creative!
  2. Snap a photo of your decorated cap.
    • Make sure it’s against a neutral background or outside in bright, natural light.
  3. Submit your contest entry.

Fall 2026 ConTEST SCHEDULE

The contest opens November 8 and closes December 6. 

Judging and Winner Selection

(4) winners are selected by the USF Commencement committee and will be contacted via email for prize coordination.

1st Place

  • Reserved suite for graduate friends/family at Commencement ceremony (8 seats).
    • Awarded to the highest scoring submission that depicts a cap decorated with any theme.

2nd and 3rd Place

  • Reserved seats in Section 103 at Commencement ceremony (4 seats).
    • Awarded to the second and third-highest scoring submission that depicts a cap decorated with any theme.

Bull Pride

  • Reserved suite for graduate friends/family at Commencement ceremony (8 seats).
    • Awarded to the highest scoring submission that depicts a cap decorated with a USF theme.

Contact

For contest questions, please contact commencement@usf.edu.

USF graduate wearing regalia facing a sign reading "USF Grad"