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Graduate and Professional Student Appreciation Week 2018

Graduate and Professional Student Appreciation Week for 2018 is here! UT organizations and units have teamed up with your Graduate Student Senate and the Graduate School to show our appreciation for all that our graduate students do. This year, there are many events both to celebrate graduate students and to help them in achieving their goals. These events stretch from April 2 until April 6, and we all hope you’ll come out and let us show you how much we value our graduate and professional students.


Graduate Student Senate Events

The Graduate Student Senate (GSS) has been working hard behind the scenes to organize events throughout the week. To start off the week, they will be having a BBQ lunch at Circle Park for graduate students to meet their senators and to meet the candidates for the 2018-2019 officers. Graduate students should be sure to bring their VolCard and join the GSS for lunch.

On the morning of April 4, the GSS Awards Breakfast will take place at the Tennessee Terrace in Neyland Stadium, starting at 8:30 a.m. This event is generously sponsored by Chancellor Davenport. Awards will be presented to outstanding graduate students and graduate student organizations, as well as faculty and staff that have been recognized by graduate students as being strong supporters.

There will be fun in the evenings, as well. Trivia Night at Soccer Taco in Market Square will begin at 7:00 p.m. on April 4. And on April 5, grab your skates for a Roller Disco at Skatetown, starting at 8:00 p.m.

If you have any questions about these events, contact the Graduate Student Senate at gss@utk.edu or visit them at gss.utk.edu.

During the Week

One of the ways we support our graduate students is to give them resources for their professional development. The Center for Career Development is hosting a workshop and mixer on networking the evening of April 2. The UT Libraries have opportunities to get a professional photo taken, improve your presentations, and help navigate the publication process. And the GSS and the Center for Career Development are hosting a Smokey’s Closet Pop-up Shop to offer free professional clothes.

To help with teaching, Teaching and Learning Innovation will be providing opportunities to learn more about CIRTL and improve your teaching philosophy and diversity statements. Register for this event at Teaching and Learning Innovation.

Many of us want you to take a moment to take care of yourself. The UT Libraries will be hosting a Massage Day at Hodges Library in Room 213. Drop by anytime between 1:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. on April 2! The Counseling Center will be offering a workshop on mindfulness, and the Center for Health Education and Wellness will be hosting a “Lunch and Learn” on consent. And Veteran Student Services will have HABIT animals at the Veterans Resource Center (G020 Hodges Library).

The Multicultural Graduate Student OrganizationInternational House, and the Department of Educational Psychology and Counseling are all offering engaging events such as a dissertation workshop, an international coffeehouse and a “Let’s Talk Qual” evening.

And for Vol Baseball fans, tickets to the April 3rd baseball game are available to graduate students on a first-come-first-serve basis for seats in the patio area. Register with the Graduate School to reserve your tickets!

The Three Minute Thesis Final Competition

The week will be capped off by the 3-Minute Thesis Finals Competition, where twelve finalists will talk about their research using a single slide with only three minutes to present. They will be judged on content and how well they engage the audience. These twelve presenters are the winners of three tough semi-final competitions, where 34 graduate students took up this challenge. It takes courage and skill to compete, so come out on April 6 from 1:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m. in Hollingsworth Auditorium to support these presenters.

As you can see, there’s a lot for everyone the week of April 2-6. Check out the full schedule, and keep your eyes and ears open for other events that may pop up during that week. Share what you see and hear on social media using #UTGPSAW2018.