Graduates toss their graduation caps during a spring undergraduate commencement ceremony inside Thompson-Boling Arena at Food City Center. Image courtesy of UT News

KNOXVILLE – The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, proudly celebrated its largest graduating class in history during the spring commencement exercises held from May 14-17. Across ten ceremonies, approximately 9,000 graduates—including spring recipients of undergraduate and graduate degrees, certificate earners, and summer graduation applicants—were honored alongside their family, friends, and supporters.

As Tennessee’s flagship institution and a recognized national leader in student success, UT continues to prioritize providing access to higher education through scholarships and diverse academic pathways. The undergraduate graduating class represents all 94 counties in Tennessee and includes notable groups such as 1,176 first-generation college students, 143 student veterans, and 65 newly commissioned Army and Air Force ROTC cadets. Additionally, the class boasts 413 honors graduates and 41 recipients of national scholarships. Impressively, nearly 87% of these undergraduates received a scholarship or grant during their tenure at UT.

Provost and Senior Vice Chancellor John Zomchick reflected on this milestone, stating, “As we gather to celebrate commencement, we take immense pride in graduating our largest class in the university’s history. Our graduates are well prepared to step into their next chapters, carrying with them the Volunteer spirit and an enduring legacy of excellence cultivated here on Rocky Top.”

Beyond their academic achievements, the spring and summer graduates collectively contributed 169,909 volunteer hours, underscoring their commitment to service and leadership that truly embody the Volunteer spirit. The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, remains dedicated to fostering an environment where students can thrive academically while making meaningful contributions to their communities.

Source: UT News