Commencement Participation

Faculty Involvement in Commencement

In December 2019 UTC will host two commencement ceremonies:

• The Graduate School, including all masters, specialists, and doctoral degree candidates, will graduate on Friday, December 13 at 2:30 pm in McKenzie Arena.

• Undergraduate commencement for all colleges will take place on Saturday December 14 at 9:00 am

All faculty are encouraged to attend these ceremonies to celebrate the achievements of UTC students. To make the ceremonies run smoothly, faculty are also encouraged to volunteer as a marshal at these ceremonies.

All faculty attending commencement are expected to provide their full academic regalia and wear it during the ceremony. If you do not own regalia you can rent it from the UTC Bookstore. Orders should be placed at least 2 weeks in advance. Please contact the UTC Bookstore at 425-5362.

Faculty who are attending the ceremony, but are not marshaling, should lineup in the McKenzie Arena’s Dance Studio 30 minutes before the start of the ceremony. Faculty will lead the procession into McKenzie Arena and will sit together.

Please note, all individuals entering McKenzie Arena will be screened by security as they enter. Any bags that you bring into the arena will be checked. Please allow enough time for the security screening, especially if you plan on bringing a bag.

Volunteering as a Faculty Marshal 

We have enough marshals for the grad ceremony, but still need marshals for the undergrad ceremony. 

Marshaling is a great way to be involved with commencement. Your responsibilities as a marshal include showing up one hour before the ceremony to help lineup students for the procession, leading students into the arena during the procession, performing a small task during the ceremony (like directing students to the stage), and leading students out of the arena at the conclusion of the ceremony.

In return for your service you get a $10 Starbucks gift card for each day that you marshal, a free lunch at the marshal orientation meeting on the Thursday before graduation, and you get to list marshaling as service on your EDO and CV. Marshals are also provided reserve parking in a lot near McKenzie Arena (first come, first serve basis).

An orientation for marshals will be held on Thursday, December 12 at 12 noon in the Dance Studio in McKenzie Arena. Lunch will be provided. Attendance is encouraged.

Questions about marshaling should be directed to Charlene Simmons, Head Marshal, at [email protected].