Spring commencement ceremonies at UTC are scheduled from Wednesday through Sunday. Nine separate ceremonies will take place inside McKenzie Arena, with one ceremony designated for advanced-degree candidates and the rest for candidates for bachelor’s degrees. Registration for all ceremonies is now closed, and all guest tickets have been distributed.
More than 1,500 students are expected to graduate in the ceremonies: 1,260 undergraduates and 290 graduate students. A total of 62 military-affiliated students are expected to graduate: 53 undergraduates and nine graduate students. Of those, there are: 35 veterans, guardsman or reservists and 27 dependents and/or spouses.
“We are planning a meaningful and memorable experience to recognize and celebrate the accomplishments of the class of 2021, including the life-changing transformation of earning a college degree,” said UTC Provost Jerold Hale. “While it also remains necessary to include COVID-19 mitigation measures to protect the health and safety of everyone in attendance, we are confident in the University’s ability to do that at the same time we celebrate this great milestone in the lives of the graduates.”
Special measures include limiting participating graduates to 200 per ceremony.
All guest seating will be general admission seating. Guests will be permitted in designated seats to observe social distancing protocols. Many seats will be blocked using straps or designated unavailable using clearly marked decals. Strapping and decals must not be altered.
Information about how to access guest tickets is being provided soon to graduates who RSVP to participate in a ceremony.
Undergraduate commencement ceremonies will be: Wednesday at 4 p.m., Thursday at 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., Friday at 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., Saturday at 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. and Sunday at 7 p.m.
The graduate commencement ceremony will be Sunday at 1 p.m.
Three of the nine ceremonies are full: Friday at 4 p.m., and Saturday at 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
Another three are half to three-quarters full: Friday at 10 a.m., and Sunday at 1 and 7 p.m.
All candidates for graduation and guests are expected to observe campus COVID-19 protocols while on campus, including during commencement ceremonies. These include:
Wearing a mask that covers the mouth and nose at all times.
Observing social distancing protocols of six feet while seated.
Not altering or tampering with seating, strapping, or stickers on furniture.
Observing directions for entering and exiting campus facilities.
Following directives issued by UTC law enforcement, security or other authorized personnel.
Learn more about spring commencement plans by visiting utc.edu/graduation-checklist.