More than 900 graduating University of Tennessee at Chattanooga students heard their names called and crossed the McKenzie Arena stage as part of commencement ceremonies Friday, Dec. 13, and Saturday, Dec. 14.
The 264th overall commencement for the University—founded in 1886 as the then-private Chattanooga University—recognized approximately 730 undergraduates and 130 graduate students earning degrees this fall. Many of the 237 undergraduate and 85 graduate students who completed their degrees in August returned to campus to join in the ceremonies.
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Click here for UTC photographer Angela Foster’s fall 2024 commencement Flickr photo gallery
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The UTC class of 2024 included:
- Andrew Hester and Lauren Evans, members of UTC’s first Doctor of Nursing Practice Nurse Anesthesia cohort—whose three years of rigorous work in the program included participating in a mission trip to Honduras.
- Carter Graham, completing bachelor’s degrees in both communication and business administration: management, whose career path took a turn after learning about a sports writing course.
- Economics major Aria Beloate, whose “gateway” decision of signing up for the Student Government Association as a freshman opened the door to countless opportunities.
- Civil engineering major Jeremiah Taylor, a Chattanooga School for the Arts and Sciences graduate who quickly “found his place” on campus after transferring to UTC.
- Sociology major Braden Stillwell, who—during his time at UTC—started a sociology club, was vice president of the SGA and was elected homecoming king this October.
- History major Brad Crush, who turned his U.S. Marine Corps training into 50 college credits thanks to his Joint Service Transcript.
Another celebrant during Saturday’s undergraduate commencement was Olympic weightlifting gold medalist Olivia Reeves—the recipient of a bachelor’s degree in sociology. Reeves, the first currently-enrolled UTC student to participate in the Olympics, won gold in Paris in August—then won the 2024 World Weightlifting Championships earlier this week in Bahrain before flying back to Chattanooga for the graduation ceremony.
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Click here for more UTC Commencement 2024 stories
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Chancellor Steven R. Angle, who has led the University since 2013, attended his final commencement in that role. On Nov. 5, he announced that he would transition from his leadership role to join the faculty on Jan. 1, 2025.
UT System President Randy Boyd commemorated Angle’s tenure during Saturday’s ceremony.
“We were talking this morning about how many commencements he’s done in those 11 years. He’s done over 50 commencements, but sadly, today is his last,” Boyd told the McKenzie Arena audience. “He let us know that he’s going to return to teach and do research—his loves—at the start of the year. So we’re going to be forever thankful for all of his work.
“Just to highlight a few of the tremendous accomplishments, over $700 million in new development and construction across the campus. Everybody who’s been on this campus for any period of time has seen the tremendous transformation that’s taken place. There are over $400 million more projects or dollars’ worth of projects that are about to begin. Research has increased by over 100% in just the last few years and enrollment this last year … an all-time record.”
During his remarks, Angle talked about starting his academic career as a professor doing research and teaching organic chemistry.
“During my time in the classroom, my students taught me so many valuable lessons. I think I learned more than they did,” Angle said.
One of the most important things he said they taught him came at the end of the second semester of organic chemistry when his students unfurled a banner that read, “We are the future.”
“I had never looked at what I did as touching the future every day. But that’s exactly what this University does because our students are our future,” he explained. “I had never said it to them, but they were really insightful and taught me a lesson that allowed me to approach my job very differently—and at UTC, we have strived to focus on our students and the quality of that experience.
“I’m standing in front of our future. Students, you are our future and congratulations on your accomplishments. We are so proud of you.”
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Click here for the commencement program
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Later in the ceremony, Angle returned to the podium for his final time as chancellor to confer the graduates.
“By virtue of the authority of the state of Tennessee vested in the Board of Trustees of the University of Tennessee—and by them delegated to me—I take pleasure in conferring upon you the respective degrees for which you have been recommended,” he said.
“With all the rights, privileges, honors and obligations pertaining thereto, undergraduates—you may now move your tassels from right to left. Congratulations.”
