The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, is preparing to honor a record number of students as they reach a pivotal milestone in their academic and personal journeys. The university will welcome approximately 9,000 graduates into its alumni family across 10 commencement ceremonies May 14-17. This total includes recipients of undergraduate and graduate degrees and certificates, as well as summer graduation applicants.
As they celebrate the completion of their degree programs and begin the next chapter of their careers and lives, these graduates will draw upon their academic preparation, resilience and ambition to shape their futures and contribute to the legacy of UT excellence.
“Commencement provides the entire Volunteer family the opportunity to celebrate our graduates and recognize the families, friends, faculty and mentors who helped them reach this important milestone,” said Provost and Senior Vice Chancellor John Zomchick. “As our graduates cross the stage, we want them to look back at their time on Rocky Top with the pride that comes from a sense of accomplishment. We also want them to remember that wherever they go, they will find fellow alums who share the ideals of the Volunteer spirit. We look forward to learning of the impact they will make as alumni of this great university.”
Undergraduates will be honored in ceremonies organized by college, with a separate university-wide ceremony for those receiving master’s degrees and another for those receiving doctorates. Most ceremonies will take place at Thompson-Boling Arena at Food City Center. Ceremony locations, dates and times are available on the commencement website. All ceremonies will be webcast live for those who are unable to attend in person.
Additionally, 50 Army ROTC cadets and 15 Air Force ROTC cadets will be commissioned as second lieutenants in the U.S. armed forces, recognizing their transition from students to military officers. The Army ROTC commissioning ceremony will take place on Friday, May 15, at 9 a.m. in the Alumni Memorial Building’s James R. Cox Auditorium. The Air Force ROTC commissioning ceremony will be held the same day at 10 a.m. in the Student Union, Room 272C.
Parking and security information
Graduates and their guests can park free of charge in student parking areas throughout campus but should avoid parking in staff parking areas during weekday ceremonies. Free shuttle service will be available from Garage B at the Knoxville Civic Coliseum 7 a.m.-6 p.m. on Friday, and the G5 garage and other staff lots will be open to the public on Saturday. The G10 garage next to the arena will be open on all commencement dates, with the top level reserved for accessible parking. Guests parking in G10 must enter and exit the garage from Neyland Drive. Visit the Parking and Transportation website for more information.
The university’s clear bag policy will be enforced. Guests will be screened on entry by event security staff. Binoculars, cameras and video cameras are permissible without cases. Smoking and vaping are prohibited in and on all university property, including in private vehicles.
For more details on permitted and prohibited items, as well as security policies, visit the commencement website.
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MEDIA CONTACT:
Stacy Estep (865-974-8304, [email protected])
