This week, the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga will celebrate its 265th commencement—with three McKenzie Arena ceremonies recognizing the Class of 2025.
The celebration begins at 2:30 p.m. Friday, May 2, as the Graduate School ceremony welcomes Dr. Tyler Forrest, president of Tennessee Wesleyan University and a three-time UTC graduate, to deliver the graduation charge.
On Saturday, May 3, undergraduate ceremonies will honor graduates from all four academic colleges, with UTC alumna and Thirty-One Gifts founder Cindy Monroe sharing words of inspiration as the keynote speaker. The 9 a.m. event will celebrate graduates from the College of Arts and Sciences and the College of Engineering and Computer Science. The 2 p.m. ceremony will recognize graduates from the Gary W. Rollins College of Business and the College of Health, Education and Professional Studies.
The spring 2025 ceremonies will recognize approximately 1,300 undergraduates and 300 graduate students earning their degrees this semester.
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Among the graduates being celebrated this week:
- Andrew Farmer’s UTC experience, sparked by a coin toss, led him to discover a passion for communication, marketing and data analytics.
- April Van Brunt’s path from film production to kindergarten teacher shows it’s never too late to find your true calling.
- Bailee Smith, a first-generation college graduate, turned her passion for cognitive science into a successful academic and research career at UTC.
- Chamyra Teasley made her mark at UTC through leadership, service and a drive to inspire change—both on campus and beyond.
- Chello Gardner turned a chance encounter with Scrappy into a transformational journey of leadership, resilience and finding her voice.
- Destiny Pope turned campus involvement and leadership experiences into a career-launching path to human resources.
- Jordan Fall used his platform as Student Government Association president to advocate for students at the highest levels of UTC leadership.
- Landon Boone combined his passion for physics and LEGOs into research opportunities that helped define his undergraduate experience at UTC.
- Marcelle Baez-Carlo made an impact on and off the volleyball court at UTC, combining athletic excellence with a deep commitment to serving the Chattanooga community.
Dr. Robert Dooley
This year’s commencement will carry an extra layer of significance for Interim Chancellor Robert Dooley. A two-time UTC graduate, Dooley has participated in countless ceremonies over the years as a student, dean of the Rollins College of Business and interim provost—but this will be his first and only time presiding as interim chancellor.
“It’s the culmination of why we’re really here and what we do at the University,” Dooley said. “This is the pinnacle moment of the year when we get to see our students graduate and go on to be successful in their careers and their personal lives. It’s the most exciting time of the year on campus.”
Dooley, who walked across the McKenzie Arena stage for his own degrees in 1983 and 1991, joked that he’s been practicing his reflexes to prepare for hundreds of handshakes.
“My hand gets sore just from shaking all the business students,” he said, “so I can’t imagine shaking hands with every student going across the stage. I’m excited to have the opportunity.”
Dooley said his remarks at commencement will be brief and lighthearted, featuring a few personal stories.
“It’s not a typical commencement address,” he said. “I’ve been thinking a lot about what I want to share and my goal is to keep it simple and meaningful.”
This spring’s ceremonies carry forward the University’s longstanding history of academic achievement—with roots dating to 1886 and its first graduation ceremony as the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga taking place in 1969 at the Tivoli Theatre in downtown Chattanooga.
Commencement ceremonies are open to the public and tickets are not required. Click here for more information, including parking and arena entrance guides.
“Commencement is a powerful reminder of the transformative experiences our students have had at UTC,” Dooley said. “It’s a chance to celebrate everything they’ve achieved and to look ahead to what comes next.”
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2:30 p.m. Friday, May 2—Graduate School Commencement
Dr. Tyler Forrest ’10, ’12, ’21, president, Tennessee Wesleyan University
Dr. Tyler Forrest
Dr. Tyler Forrest is a native and current resident of Athens, Tennessee. He is a graduate of McMinn County High School and a three-time graduate of the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, earning a Bachelor of Science in finance, a Master of Business Administration, and a Doctor of Philosophy in learning and leadership. On July 1, 2022, he assumed the role of president of Tennessee Wesleyan University, becoming the first McMinn County native to be named to this office in the university’s 168-year history. At the time of his appointment, he was the youngest university president in Tennessee and believed to be one of the youngest in the nation.
Forrest joined the UTC family as a student in 2006. He served as the Student Government Association president and was soon appointed by then-Gov. Phil Bredesen to serve as a student member on the UT System Board of Trustees. In 2007, his professional career at UTC began as a student worker in the Auxiliary Services Department. Upon completing his undergraduate degree in 2010, he joined UTC’s Budget and Finance team, starting as a financial analyst and working his way up to vice chancellor for finance and administration and chief business officer prior to departing UTC for his current role.
Forrest currently serves on the McMinn County Library Board (chair), Main Street Athens Board, the McMinn County Economic Development Authority Board, the Athens Kiwanis Club Board (president-elect), the Appalachian College Association Board, and the Appalachian Athletic Association’s President’s Council. During his time in Chattanooga, he served on the boards of the Partnership for Families, Children and Adults (chair), Orange Grove Center, Bessie Smith Cultural Center, the University of Tennessee Alumni Legislative Council, and the Constituent Committee of the Southern Association of College and University Business Officers. He and his family are active members of Eastanallee Baptist Church.
Forrest was an inaugural graduate of the University of Tennessee’s Executive Leadership Institute. He is also a graduate of Leadership Tennessee and Protégé Chattanooga. He was named the Athens Area Chamber of Commerce’s Young Man of the Year in 2024 and was recognized by The Daily Post-Athenian as a “20 Under 40” honoree.
Forrest’s wife, Emily, is also a UTC graduate. They have two children, Caroline and Ben.
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9 a.m. Saturday, May 3—Undergraduate Commencement for College of Arts and Sciences and College of Engineering and Computer Science
2 p.m. Saturday, May 3—Undergraduate Commencement for Gary W. Rollins College of Business and College of Health, Education and Professional Studies
Cindy Monroe ’98, founder and CEO, Thirty-One Gifts
Cindy Monroe
At 28 years old, Cindy Monroe founded Thirty-One Gifts in the basement of her Chattanooga home in 2003. The company grew to be one of the largest direct-selling companies in North America and was named the fastest-growing woman-owned company worldwide in 2014.
As the company’s founder and CEO, Monroe made a remarkable impact on hundreds of thousands of Thirty-One sales consultants throughout the company’s 21-year run.
Her fierce faith, family focus and authentic passion for changing lives give her a platform as a champion of female entrepreneurs. In 2023, she authored her first book, “More Than a Bag,” which pulls back the curtain to share a look at how personal values intersect with business to create an impact through times of whirlwind growth and times of adversity. She has hosted her podcast, “Permission to Lead,” which focuses on female entrepreneurs and business leaders.
Throughout her career, Monroe has been recognized through numerous honors and awards, including Forbes magazine’s Self-Made Women to Watch and Columbus Business First’s 40 under 40 and Fast 50—and was honored twice as one of the Most Influential Women in Direct Selling.
Monroe has served on the board of directors for the Direct Selling Association and on the advisory board of the Nationwide Children’s Hospital of Columbus Foundation. She is a graduate of the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga and the Gary W. Rollins College of Business.
Monroe’s passion, outside of her career, is spending time with her family—her husband, Scott, and their children, Alyx and Evan.
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