Torch Night: A Farewell to Thee is one of UT’s oldest traditions. Graduates have the opportunity to symbolically receive the Torch of Service, pledging to serve both the university and their community as responsible and loyal alumni. All graduating seniors and graduate students are invited to participate.

General Information

• Torch Night: A Farewell to Thee consists of a pre-ceremony celebration with free food and photo opportunities, followed by the torch lighting ceremony.
• Graduates will wear their gown and any embellishments they wish to wear. Caps are optional.

Fall Information

• Due to space limitations in the Student Union Ballroom, we ask that graduates bring a very limited number of guests. The tradition is graduate-focused, so we want to make sure all graduates are able to enter the ballroom for the ceremony.
• We estimate the ceremony will last about 15 minutes.
• Please register to attend. Registration is included in the commencement registration form.

Spring Information

• Spring Torch Night is held outdoors on Ayres Lawn. We highly recommend wearing comfortable shoes that can get wet. The grass on the lawn stays wet long after precipitation. In the event of inclement weather, the event will be moved indoors.
• To arrange disability accommodations, please contact commencement@utk.edu.
• The event will begin with a reception featuring light refreshments and photo opportunities, then a 15-minute ceremony beginning around 8:15 p.m.
• Please register to attend. Registration is included in the commencement registration form.

History of Torch Night: A Farewell to Thee

The first Aloha Oe, meaning “a farewell to thee” in Hawaiian, was held May 17, 1926, on Shields-Watkins Field. It was created to be the companion event to Torch Night: A New Beginning, first held for our freshmen in 1925. The first Aloha Oe featured a muddy tug of war, students dressed in grass skirts, and the strumming of ukuleles.

It has since been renamed and become a more formal ceremony, but the purpose is the same: to give the graduating students a fun and meaningful conclusion to their collegiate experience.