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Graduation Information

Commencement is held in McKenzie Arena.

 

Term Graduation Date Graduation Activity Graduation Application Deadline
Fall 2011 Saturday, December 17, 2011 at 10 am Graduation & Ceremony June 15, 2011
Spring 2012 Saturday, May 5, 2012 at 10 am Graduation & Ceremony October 14, 2011
Summer 2012 No Ceremony Graduation Only March 15, 2012
Fall 2012 Saturday, December 15, 2012 at 10 am Graduation & Ceremony June 15, 2012
Spring 2013 Saturday, May 4, 2013 at 10 am Graduation & Ceremony October 15, 2012
Summer 2013 No Ceremony Graduation Only January 15, 2013
Fall 2013 Saturday, December 14, 2013 at 10 am Graduation & Ceremony June 14, 2013
Spring 2014 Saturday, May 3, 2014 at 10 am Graduation & Ceremony October 15, 2013
Summer 2014 No Ceremony Graduation Only January 15, 2014
Fall 2014 Saturday, December 13, 2014 at 10 am Graduation & Ceremony June 14, 2014
Spring 2015 Saturday, May 9, 2015 at 10 am Graduation & Ceremony October 15, 2014
Summer 2015 No Ceremony Graduation Only January 15, 2015
Fall 2015 Saturday, December 19, 2015 at 10 am Graduation & Ceremony June 15, 2015
Spring 2016 Saturday, May 7, 2016 at 10 am Graduation & Ceremony October 16, 2015
Summer 2016 No Ceremony Graduation Only January 15, 2016
Fall 2016 Saturday, December 17, 2016 at 10 am Graduation & Ceremony June 15, 2016
Spring 2017 Saturday, May 6, 2017 at 10 am Graduation & Ceremony October 14, 2016
Summer 2017 No Ceremony Graduation Only January 15, 2017

Arrival Time
Please arrive at the McKenzie Arena, 1st floor, 45 minutes prior to start time. You will line up in the designated area located on the first floor of the Arena. Graduate candidates and undergraduate candidates robe in separate rooms. Please watch for the posted signs to determine the appropriate room for you to use. Faculty marshals will be available with signs to indicate where the line for your college is forming. Marshals will make a final check of graduation candidates approximately 20 minutes prior to start time. All graduates not in line at that time will be considered in absentia and their names will not be read at the ceremony.
Attire
Students should wear lightweight, comfortable clothing underneath the gown. Male graduate are advised to wear dress trousers in a dark color, a dress shirt with tie, dark shoes and dark socks. Female graduates are advised to wear an appropriate day dress or slacks, and comfortable dark shoes and should not carry a purse or handbag.
The cap should be worn so that the mortarboard is level/flat on the head. It should not be slanted to the back or side of the head. The crown should be approximately one inch above the eyebrow.
Caps and Gowns
Caps and gowns can be purchased in the Bookstore in the University Center. In addition to your height, weight, and hat size, you will also need to know the academic degree you are to receive.
 
Commencement Ceremony Process
Please hand your pronouncement card to the faculty secretary who will read your name as you ascend the stairs and cross the stage. You will receive a congratulatory certificate from the dean of your college and will shake hands with the chancellor as you cross the stage. After you cross the stage, you will return to your seat on the Arena floor for the remainder of the ceremony.
Graduation Participation Guidelines
  • Degrees are awarded at UTC at the end of the fall, spring, and summer semesters.  Students must apply for graduation to be considered a candidate for the degree. Graduation ceremonies are held at the end of the fall and spring semesters.  Information about graduation is available on the Records Office website at www.utc.edu/Records/gengrad1.php
  • Students completing their final requirements during the summer semester may participate in the spring ceremony as a “walker” or the fall ceremony as a “graduate.”  The degree and diploma are awarded only after all requirements for the degree are fulfilled.  Walking early does not imply that degree requirements have been met or that the student is actually graduating during that ceremony.
  • Graduation candidates who wish to participate in an early graduation ceremony must apply for the appropriate graduation semester by the deadline published on the academic calendar located at www.utc.edu/Records/calendars.php and submit an email to the Registrar Linda-Orth@utc.edu requesting to walk early.  The Registrar will review requests and notify students by email of the decision.  Requests for August graduation candidates to “walk” in the May Graduation will be reviewed immediately after the last day to drop classes for the spring semester.  The last day to drop classes for spring can be found on the academic calendar.
  • Names of August graduation candidates will be published in the May commencement program if the candidate has applied for graduation by the last day to drop for the Spring Semester.  The last day to drop is published on the academic calendar each semester www.utc.edu/Records/calendars.php. 
  • Names of all August graduates will be published in the December Commencement program.
  • Only students receiving degrees will be recognized for Latin Honors.  All degree requirements must be fulfilled to be recognized for Latin Honors.
  • Participation Guidelines for Undergraduate Students
    • Undergraduate students submit the Application for Graduation available online at www.utc.edu/Records/documents/GraduationApplication.pdf
    • Undergraduate student requests to walk early will be considered based upon the following conditions:
      • Student has submitted an Application for Graduation for the semester the student intends to graduate
      • Student has 12 or fewer credit hours to complete
      • Student is registered for the remaining hours
      • Student has met all minimum GPA requirements (Major, UTC, Institutional)
  • Participation Guidelines for Graduate Students
    • Graduate students (students in graduate level programs) submit the Graduate Candidacy/Graduation Application Form available online at www.utc.edu/GraduateSchool/documents/CandidacyandGraduationAppl12-5-2011ff.pdf
    • Graduate student requests to walk early will be considered based upon the following conditions:
      • Has submitted an Graduate Candidacy/Graduation Application Form
      • Student is participating in a non-thesis or non-dissertation program OR
      • Students participating in a thesis or dissertation must have their thesis or dissertation defended and approved
      • Student must be within 6 hours of completion
      • Student is registered for the remaining hours
      • Student must meet the minimum required GPA
Current Address and Telephone Number
Please be sure that the Records Office has current and accurate information in the event that we must contact your prior to Commencement. Your graduation specialist will make every attempt to contact you if you have not met the requirements for graduation after grades have been posted.
Diplomas
Diplomas will be mailed 6-8 weeks after graduation to the address you submit on the Diploma Mailing Card. The UTC diploma measures 14" x 17".
Disability (Special Needs) Accommodations
If you or a family member requires special assistance at Commencement, please contact the Associate Provost's Office at 425-4515.

Wheelchair users should speak with an usher for directions to designated wheelchair seating. Space is limited to the wheelchair user and one companion.

Do Not Release Information Flag
If you previously submitted a request to the Records Office requesting that your directory information NOT be released, your name will NOT appear in the Commencement Program. To have the "do not release" flag removed, you must submit a request in writing to the Records Office. The request must be submitted prior to the printing of the Commencement program which is usually 5 weeks prior to the date of Commencement.
Faculty Marshal Assignment List
Please check here to determine the assistant marshal who will assist you in lining up for the processional. 
Handicapped Seating
Wheelchair users should speak with an usher for directions to designated wheelchair seating. Space is limited to the wheelchair user and one companion.
Holds
Financial Aid Exit Interview: Students who have had financial aid loans must complete an exit interview. If you have not already done so, please contact the Financial Aid Office prior to Commencement. Failure to do so means a hold place on your academic record preventing us from fulfilling any transcript requests you submit after commencement.

Holds: In compliance with Tennessee law, all financial obligations to the University such as fees, tuition, parking fines, library fines, transcript fees, or return of any rented or borrowed equipment must be cleared before your diploma can be released or any transcript request can be fulfilled.

Senior Exit Exam: Graduation requirements for all undergraduate students include completion of the Senior Exit Exam. If you have not completed this requirement, please contact the UTC Testing Center at 425-4288. Diplomas will not be released to students who have not completed the Senior Exit Exam.

Honors Designation
The honors designation listed in the Commencement Program may not reflect final honors status since the program is printed prior to the posting of final grades.
Honors Tassels
Gold tassels are provided to undergraduate students graduating Magna Cum Laude. White tassels are provided to those students graduating Summa Cum Laude. Faculty marshals will distribute these tassels when you line up just prior to the commencement service.
Photographer
A professional photographer will take your picture as you cross the stage. You will be mailed a proof of the photograph at no expense to you provided that the Records Office has an accurate permanent address for you. If you have moved and not updated your mailing address, please be sure to submit a change of address form to the Records Office.
Pronouncement Cards
You will be notified by email when you can meet with commencement officials to verify the pronounciation of your name. If you have any concerns about the accurate pronunciation of your name, it is important that you stop by the Records Office during that time. No other time is scheduled for this purpose.
Rehearsal
There is no rehearsal prior to the commencement exercise. You will receive instructions from your faculty marshal on the day of commencement. Please be sure to arrive at McKenzie Arena 45 minutes prior to start time.
University Honors - Undergraduate Students

To be eligible for Latin honors at UTC, students must have a minimum of 60 earned hours at UTC.

Cum Laude - granted when the student's cumulative UTC GPA at the end of the final semester is at least 3.5.

Magna Cum Laude -granted when the student's cumulative UTC GPA at the end of the final semester is at least 3.7.

Summa Cum Laude - granted when the student's cumulative UTC GPA at the end of the final semester is at least 3.9.

University Honors - Graduate Students

Graduate students do not graduate with honors since a minimum 3.0 grade point average is required to graduate.
Where do I line up on Commencement Day?
Please click here to determine where you report to line up. The Faculty Marshal List will indicate which faculty marshal will have your name card and will assist you in lining up for the processional. Please keep your card with you, as you will hand it to the faculty secretary who will read your name once you ascend the stairs to the stage.

Video of Commencement

Click here to view the Commencement activities as they are streamed live over the internet.  Personal videos may be purchased after the event through the UTC Alumni Affairs Office.

Other Questions
Please contact Sandy-Zitkus@utc.edu if you have any other questions or concerns that are not addressed here.