Last night, the Spring 2017 Graduate Hooding Ceremony took place at Thompson-Boling Arena. Dean Dixie L. Thompson presided over the event, letting the graduates, faculty, and all those in the stands know how much UT appreciates the hard work and dedication that is represented by each of those receiving their degrees. Chancellor Beverly J. Davenport had the opportunity to address her first graduating class of graduate students at UT, and then joined Dean Thompson and Lee Riedinger, Director of the Bredesen Center of Interdisciplinary Research and Graduate Education, to confer the evening’s honorary degree.

Governor Philip N. Bredesen was the recipient of an honorary degree from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, and delivered an inspiring and entertaining speech. Following his remarks, Michelle K. Harding was introduced as the evening’s graduate student speaker. Her address was encouraging and uplifting, while recognizing the trials and tribulations of the life of a graduate student.

After the presentation of candidates and the conferral of degrees by Chancellor Davenport, master’s candidates were announced and greeted individually by the Chancellor and the dean of their college. The doctoral candidates were then each hooded by their chosen faculty members and greeted by their dean and the chancellor. As always, it was rewarding to witness the ceremony, to see the joy and promise in the faces of those graduate students who took part. Congratulations not just to those who participated in the ceremony but to all 800 of our graduating students!