The world saw Ocala-born Erin Jackson win a gold medal at the 2022 Bejing Olympics in the 500-meter speedskating event, and this spring she will return home to deliver the commencement address at her alma mater’s graduation ceremony.
The university-wide commencement ceremony will take place Friday, May 5 from 7:00 to 9:00 PM (EDT) at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. UF’s president will emcee the event as degrees are conferred, then Ms. Jackson will deliver the commencement address.
According to her speaker profile, Erin graduated Cum Laude from UF with a degree in Materials Science & Engineering. She was born in Ocala to Tracy and Rita Jackson, and first skated at eight years old when she tried figure skating. Jackson attended Shores Christian Academy, Howard Middle School, and Forest High School.
In 2016, Erin Jackson transitioned to speed skating on the ice. She qualified for the 2018 Winter Olympics with only four months of experience in speedskating on ice. Jackson became the first Black woman to win a Winter Olympic gold in an individual sport. Erin also is the first American woman to win an Olympic speed skating gold since Chris Witty in 1000m in 2002, and the first American woman to win the women's 500m since Bonnie Blair in 1994.
