Firsts and finish lines: UTC celebrates fall 2025 commencement

December 12, 2025UTC Communications and Marketing

Graduate in a blue cap and gown raises both hands in celebration, smiling widely among seated graduates.

The UTC Graduate School commencement ceremony was held Friday, Dec. 12, in McKenzie Arena.

The Graduate School commencement took place Friday, Dec. 12, in the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga’s McKenzie Arena, recognizing students who earned advanced degrees across UTC’s academic programs. Dr. Elaine Swafford, CEO of the Chattanooga Girls Leadership Academy and a member of the UTC Advisory Board, delivered the commencement address, speaking to graduates about leadership, equity and the transformative power of education.

=======================================

Click here for more UTC Commencement 2025 stories.

=======================================

Learn more

Commencement 2025

Photo gallery by Angela Foster

The chancellor stands on stage wearing academic regalia and a ceremonial medallion during the commencement ceremony.

Graduate students participate in a commencement ceremony Friday, Dec. 12, 2025 in McKenzie Arena at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.

A university official smiles while greeting a graduate in a blue cap and gown during commencement.

Graduate students participate in a commencement ceremony Friday, Dec. 12, 2025 in McKenzie Arena at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.

Graduate in a blue cap and gown smiles broadly while embracing a faculty member in academic regalia during the commencement ceremony.

Graduate students participate in a commencement ceremony Friday, Dec. 12, 2025 in McKenzie Arena at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.

Graduate in a blue cap and gown stands smiling near a podium with University of Tennessee at Chattanooga signage in the background.

Graduate students participate in a commencement ceremony Friday, Dec. 12, 2025 in McKenzie Arena at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.

Graduate in a blue cap and gown smiles and gives a thumbs-up while standing on the arena floor.

Graduate students participate in a commencement ceremony Friday, Dec. 12, 2025 in McKenzie Arena at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.

A graduate smiles with eyes closed as faculty members applaud during the hooding ceremony.

Graduate students participate in a commencement ceremony Friday, Dec. 12, 2025 in McKenzie Arena at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.

A graduate smiles as faculty members adjust academic regalia during the doctoral hooding ceremony.

Graduate students participate in a commencement ceremony Friday, Dec. 12, 2025 in McKenzie Arena at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.

A graduate wearing glasses smiles while speaking with a faculty member during the hooding ceremony.

Graduate students participate in a commencement ceremony Friday, Dec. 12, 2025 in McKenzie Arena at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.

Two faculty members place a doctoral hood on a graduate who is smiling broadly on stage.

Graduate students participate in a commencement ceremony Friday, Dec. 12, 2025 in McKenzie Arena at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.

Two graduates in doctoral regalia embrace and smile while celebrating on the arena floor after the ceremony.

Graduate students participate in a commencement ceremony Friday, Dec. 12, 2025 in McKenzie Arena at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.

Graduate in a blue cap and gown smiles toward the camera while seated among other graduates.

Graduate students participate in a commencement ceremony Friday, Dec. 12, 2025 in McKenzie Arena at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.

Two graduates in doctoral regalia pose together, smiling, with one graduate resting hands on the other’s shoulders as graduates celebrate in the background.

Graduate students participate in a commencement ceremony Friday, Dec. 12, 2025 in McKenzie Arena at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.

A graduate smiles broadly as faculty members adjust academic regalia during the hooding portion of commencement.

Graduate students participate in a commencement ceremony Friday, Dec. 12, 2025 in McKenzie Arena at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.

A graduate embraces a family member holding a bouquet of red roses following the commencement ceremony.

Graduate students participate in a commencement ceremony Friday, Dec. 12, 2025 in McKenzie Arena at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.

A university official in academic regalia shakes hands with a graduate during the commencement ceremony.

Graduate students participate in a commencement ceremony Friday, Dec. 12, 2025 in McKenzie Arena at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.

Two graduates in doctoral regalia stand close together, smiling for a photo while holding programs on the arena floor.

Graduate students participate in a commencement ceremony Friday, Dec. 12, 2025 in McKenzie Arena at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.

A graduate in a blue gown holds a young child outdoors following the ceremony.

Graduate students participate in a commencement ceremony Friday, Dec. 12, 2025 in McKenzie Arena at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.

A large group of graduates and supporters pose together on the arena floor, raising their hands and cheering after commencement.

Graduate students participate in a commencement ceremony Friday, Dec. 12, 2025 in McKenzie Arena at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.

A graduate in a blue cap and gown shakes hands with a university official on stage, with banners and floral arrangements in the background.

Graduate students participate in a commencement ceremony Friday, Dec. 12, 2025 in McKenzie Arena at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.

Graduate in a blue cap and gown raises a hand in a wave toward the camera during the ceremony.

Graduate students participate in a commencement ceremony Friday, Dec. 12, 2025 in McKenzie Arena at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.

Person in a black cap and gown smiles and claps while seated among other graduates during the ceremony.

Graduate students participate in a commencement ceremony Friday, Dec. 12, 2025 in McKenzie Arena at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.

Graduates in blue caps and gowns process into the ceremony, with one graduate smiling and holding up a hand gesture as others look ahead.

Graduate students participate in a commencement ceremony Friday, Dec. 12, 2025 in McKenzie Arena at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.

A graduate in a blue cap and gown smiles and waves while standing among other graduates during commencement.

Graduate students participate in a commencement ceremony Friday, Dec. 12, 2025 in McKenzie Arena at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.

A graduate wearing glasses smiles and claps while seated among fellow graduates in blue caps and gowns.

Graduate students participate in a commencement ceremony Friday, Dec. 12, 2025 in McKenzie Arena at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.

A graduate in a blue cap and gown smiles and waves while standing in line with fellow graduates on the arena floor.

Graduate students participate in a commencement ceremony Friday, Dec. 12, 2025 in McKenzie Arena at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.

Person wearing red glasses smiles while holding a phone and program as other graduates stand nearby.

Graduate students participate in a commencement ceremony Friday, Dec. 12, 2025 in McKenzie Arena at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.

Close-up of a blue graduation cap reading “Next stop: PhD,” decorated with small pins, with graduates seated in rows in the background.

Graduate students participate in a commencement ceremony Friday, Dec. 12, 2025 in McKenzie Arena at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.

A graduate stands outdoors holding flowers while posing for a group photo with family members.

Graduate students participate in a commencement ceremony Friday, Dec. 12, 2025 in McKenzie Arena at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.

The chancellor, wearing academic regalia and a ceremonial medallion, shakes hands with a graduate on stage during commencement.

Graduate students participate in a commencement ceremony Friday, Dec. 12, 2025 in McKenzie Arena at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.

A faculty member places a doctoral hood on a graduate wearing a black gown during the commencement ceremony.

Graduate students participate in a commencement ceremony Friday, Dec. 12, 2025 in McKenzie Arena at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.