Commencement ceremonies May 4 & 5

It’s time to celebrate UTC’s class of 2018!

Graduates will cross the stage with three different ceremonies this spring.

Herbert “Book” McCray is the speaker at the graduate ceremony. McCray spent 30 years as a teacher and principal in the Hamilton County school system. He first came to Chattanooga from his home in Louisville, Ky., to play on UTC’s basketball team. He was part of the team’s 1977 NCAA Division 2 Basketball National Championship, the only national championship in UTC’s history. Growing up in a poor, dangerous neighborhood in Louisville, he once said, “Basketball saved me.” After retiring from education, he created the Independent Youth Services Foundation in Chattanooga, which focuses on young boys, adolescents and teens and teaches life skills through male mentoring, academic motivation and healthy living.

Tom Losh, former assistant vice chancellor of student affairs at UTC, is the speaker at the undergraduate ceremonies. Losh came to the University of Chattanooga on a basketball scholarship. While earning a degree in secondary education and biology, he was awarded four letters in basketball between 1968 and 1971. He stayed at UTC even after graduation, hired as the head baseball coach and assistant basketball coach and staying until 1976, when he took the job as head basketball coach at Cleveland State Community College. He returned to UTC in 1995 to serve as assistant dean and assistant vice chancellor of student development, a job he held until 2002, when moved to Bradley Central High School as its principal.

 

 

 

 

Frequently Asked Questions about Commencement

Where do I get my cap and gown?

Caps and gowns can be purchased through the UTC Bookstore online ordering process. The bookstore is located in the University Center and you can call 423-425-4107 if you have questions. You’ll select your shipment preference to start. In addition to your height, weight, and hat size, you will also need to know the academic degree you are to receive.

Where do I park?

Parking on Commencement Day will be a challenge, therefore, be sure to allow plenty of time for traveling on campus and finding available parking.

Lot 20 behind McKenzie Arena is dedicated Handicap Parking on a first-come-first-available basis. Overflow Handicap Parking is available in Lot 32 across the street from the Arena.

When should I arrive?

We ask that all graduates arrive at the McKenzie Arena 45 minutes prior to start time.

Where do I line up for the processional?

You will line up in the designated area located on the first floor of the Arena. Please click here to determine where you report to line up.

Where will graduates sit on Commencement Day?

Please click here to determine where your graduate will sit on commencement day. The arena map will help you decide where to sit and best see your graduate walk across the stage.

When will I get my diploma?

Diplomas will be delivered to the Records Office approximately 8 weeks after graduation. Graduates will be sent an email to their UTC account when they have arrived and students will have 2 weeks to come by the Records Office to pick up their diploma. Students must bring a photo ID with them and have no holds on their account (see After Graduation for more information on holds).

After 2 weeks all remaining diplomas will be mailed out to the address listed on their graduation application. If this address changes after the application is submitted, please notify the Records Office at utcgraduation@utc.edu. The UTC diploma measures 14″ x 17″.

For more information on commencement, click here.