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Graduates toss their mortar boards

We will hold in-person commencement ceremonies for our spring graduates in Thompson-Boling Arena in May. Congratulations graduates!


Upcoming Ceremonies

  • The spring commencement ceremonies will take place May 16 – 18 in Thompson-Boling Arena at Food City Center.
  • Undergraduates will participate in their college’s ceremony. Check the schedule for the ceremony times.
  • The graduate hooding ceremony will begin at 9 a.m. Eastern. on Saturday for all Master’s and doctoral graduates. NOTE: Master’s graduates are not hooded on-stage at the ceremony. Only doctoral graduates are hooded on-stage.
  • Beginning on the week of February 5, eligible graduates will receive an email with details and registration instructions. After the initial invitation, new applicants will receive their invitation the Monday after they have applied to graduate.
  • The university does not host a summer commencement ceremony. Undergraduates who complete their degree requirements in the summer typically have the option to attend spring or fall ceremonies. Students completing requirements for the PhD in the summer must participate in the fall ceremony.
  • The “Official Graduation Date” refers to the date printed on one’s diploma, not necessarily the date of commencement.
  • Haslam College of Business hosts a separate graduate hooding ceremony for their students. However, all HCB students are also welcome and invited to attend the university’s graduate hooding ceremony. HCB will provide additional information to their graduate students related to their ceremony.

About the Spring 2024 Ceremonies

  • Ceremonies typically last approximately 2 and a half hours. Graduates are required to stay for the duration of the ceremony.
  • Professional photos will be taken by Big Orange Professional Photography (BOPP) during the ceremony. Bookmark the Grad Images website where photos will be posted once they’re available for purchase.
  • Students cross an ADA-compliant ramp as their name is called.
  • Only Doctoral and professional students will be hooded during the graduate hooding ceremony. Masters graduates are not hooded at the university ceremony.
  • There are currently no plans to require tickets for guest entry. Graduates will be contacted if anything changes.

IMPORTANT PARKING AND ARENA ENTRY

Due to a partial closure of Phillip Fulmer Way, including the intersection at Peyton Manning Pass, for continued renovations to Neyland Stadium – we encourage guests to arrive in the following manner:

  • We expect heavy traffic around the arena and parking garage. Please plan your arrival time and route to the arena with this in mind (consult Google Maps or Waze for real-time traffic).
  • For G10 garage, please enter from Neyland Drive (across from the Wayne G. Basler boathouse).
  • Additional parking is available off Lake Loudoun in student parking areas: C8 (Lake Loudoun & Volunteer Boulevard lot) and G5/C6 (surface lot next to Andy Holt Tower), and G16 garage levels 1-5 (Volunteer Boulevard & Pat Head Summitt).
    • Please do not park in Staff (S) areas. Many ceremonies take place during a regular workday for staff.
  • Avoid traffic congestion at Lake Loudoun Boulevard and Neyland Drive intersection by using alternative entry points to campus – such as Joe Johnson, Volunteer Boulevard West, Volunteer Boulevard by Greve, Dunford, and Henson. Do not use Phillip Fulmer Way off Cumberland.
  • Accessible/handicapped spaces are available in all parking areas. We recommend both the G10 garage and the G5/C6 surface lot with the bridge to the arena.

For more information, visit Parking & Transportation / Commencement Parking.

About the Fall 2024 Ceremonies

  • Fall 2024 ceremonies will take place after exams are over at Thompson-Boling Arena. The schedule will be made available in the spring.

We want to see your celebrations! Use #UTGrad2024 to share your decorated mortar boards, graduation photos, or family celebrations.

Ceremony Information

Directions to campus and ceremonies, parking details, and exiting procedures.

Find out what you need to know and watch online

Clear Bag.

Security Information

Large-event security protocol is enforced, including the clear bag policy.

Learn about the campus’s large-event security protocols

Web Cast.

Webcast

All ceremonies are webcast.

Questions?

For questions about degree requirements and diplomas, contact diplomas@utk.edu.

For questions about commencement registration and ceremony details, contact commencement@utk.edu.

Graduate students may contact the Graduate School as well.