{"id":72921,"date":"2025-12-05T07:37:55","date_gmt":"2025-12-05T12:37:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.utc.edu\/news\/?p=72921"},"modified":"2025-12-13T12:16:13","modified_gmt":"2025-12-13T17:16:13","slug":"crossing-the-finish-line-utc-to-celebrate-fall-2025-commencement","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.utc.edu\/news\/2025\/12\/crossing-the-finish-line-utc-to-celebrate-fall-2025-commencement\/","title":{"rendered":"Crossing the finish line: UTC to celebrate fall 2025 commencement"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"880\" height=\"585\" data-attachment-id=\"72926\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/blog.utc.edu\/news\/2025\/12\/crossing-the-finish-line-utc-to-celebrate-fall-2025-commencement\/undergraduate-commencement-25-80\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.utc.edu\/app\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/12\/Undergraduate-Commencement-25-25.jpg?fit=1200%2C798&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"1200,798\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-title=\"Undergraduate Commencement-25\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.utc.edu\/app\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/12\/Undergraduate-Commencement-25-25.jpg?fit=880%2C585&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-72926 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.utc.edu\/app\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/12\/Undergraduate-Commencement-25-25.jpg?resize=880%2C585&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"A group of smiling graduates in blue and gold gowns pose together for a photo on the arena floor, flashing hand signs and holding their diplomas.\" style=\"max-width: 100%;\"style=\"max-width: 100%;\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.utc.edu\/app\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/12\/Undergraduate-Commencement-25-25.jpg?w=1200&amp;ssl=1 1200w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.utc.edu\/app\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/12\/Undergraduate-Commencement-25-25.jpg?resize=1024%2C681&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.utc.edu\/app\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/12\/Undergraduate-Commencement-25-25.jpg?resize=768%2C511&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.utc.edu\/app\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/12\/Undergraduate-Commencement-25-25.jpg?resize=800%2C532&amp;ssl=1 800w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.utc.edu\/app\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/12\/Undergraduate-Commencement-25-25.jpg?resize=580%2C386&amp;ssl=1 580w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.utc.edu\/app\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/12\/Undergraduate-Commencement-25-25.jpg?resize=610%2C406&amp;ssl=1 610w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.utc.edu\/app\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/12\/Undergraduate-Commencement-25-25.jpg?resize=600%2C400&amp;ssl=1 600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 880px) 100vw, 880px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>As she prepares for her first commencement as chancellor of the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, Chancellor Lori Bruce said the day carries a clear and meaningful purpose.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cCommencement is all about the graduates. It\u2019s about celebrating their journey, their tenacity and their talent\u2014but also acknowledging all the people who helped them along the way,\u201d Bruce said. \u201cAnd when I think about commencement, I think about celebrating our students\u2019 success. It doesn\u2019t matter where they started; everyone is crossing that finish line.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>On Dec. 12-13, the University will celebrate fall commencement at McKenzie Arena, honoring the accomplishments of approximately 670 undergraduates and 160 graduate students earning their degrees. Many of the 198 undergraduate and 95 graduate students who completed their degrees in August are also expected to return to campus to join in the celebration.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center\">====================================================<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center\"><a href=\"https:\/\/blog.utc.edu\/news\/tag\/commencement-2025\/\"><strong>Click here for more UTC Commencement 2025 stories<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center\">====================================================<\/p>\n<p>The Graduate School commencement will take place at 2:30 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 12. Dr. Elaine Swafford, CEO of the Chattanooga Girls Leadership Academy and a member of the UTC Advisory Board, will deliver the commencement address. <a href=\"https:\/\/vimeo.com\/event\/5353081\"><strong>Click here for the livestream link<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>The undergraduate commencement ceremony for all UTC colleges is scheduled for 9 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 13. Hamilton County Mayor Weston Wamp will serve as the featured speaker. <a href=\"https:\/\/vimeo.com\/event\/5353111\"><strong>Click here for the livestream link<\/strong><\/a><strong>.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>From first-generation scholars to lifelong learners, this semester&#8217;s graduates embody the spirit of UTC. Learn more about several whose journeys stand out:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Communication major <span style=\"text-decoration: underline\"><a href=\"https:\/\/blog.utc.edu\/news\/2025\/12\/charles-in-charge-storyteller-turns-his-utc-student-experience-into-a-career\/\"><strong>Charles Kemp<\/strong><\/a><\/span>, who turned a student job on the University\u2019s video team into a full-time position with the UT System Office of Communications and Marketing in Knoxville before graduation.<\/li>\n<li>Electrical engineering major <span style=\"text-decoration: underline\"><a href=\"https:\/\/blog.utc.edu\/news\/2025\/12\/hard-work-late-nights-and-an-unshakable-dream-julio-gonzalezs-road-to-commencement\/\"><strong>Julio Gonzalez<\/strong><\/a><\/span>, a first-generation college student, whose extended journey to graduation included working full time, recovering from a serious car accident and earning national recognition for research conducted with TVA.<\/li>\n<li>Assistant Vice Chancellor of Student Success <span style=\"text-decoration: underline\"><a href=\"https:\/\/blog.utc.edu\/news\/2025\/12\/leading-and-learning-stacie-grisham-completes-her-doctoral-journey\/\"><strong>Stacie Grisham<\/strong><\/a><\/span>, who balanced full-time leadership at UTC with raising two children while completing her doctoral degree.<\/li>\n<li>Business administration major <span style=\"text-decoration: underline\"><a href=\"https:\/\/blog.utc.edu\/news\/2025\/12\/promises-kept-graduation-means-shari-warren-can-say-i-did-it\/\"><strong>Shari Warren<\/strong><\/a><\/span>, who returned to college after four decades to finish what she started\u2014earning her degree while working full time at TVA, recovering from heart surgery, and inspiring her children and grandchildren by proving it\u2019s never too late to say, \u201cI did it.\u201d<\/li>\n<li>Psychology major <span style=\"text-decoration: underline\"><a href=\"https:\/\/blog.utc.edu\/news\/2025\/12\/i-will-forever-be-grateful-psychology-student-kristopher-ware-finds-opportunity-and-mentorship-at-utc\/\"><strong>Kristopher Ware<\/strong><\/a><\/span>, whose passion for mental health led to award-winning research and a new role with Chattanooga\u2019s Mental Health Cooperative supporting youth and families.<\/li>\n<li>Computer science master\u2019s student <span style=\"text-decoration: underline\"><a href=\"https:\/\/blog.utc.edu\/news\/2025\/12\/from-student-to-innovator-how-daniel-duggin-transformed-ai-at-utc\/\"><strong>Daniel Duggin<\/strong><\/a><\/span>, who helped launch UTC\u2019s first \u201cAI for Everyone\u201d course and played a key role in shaping campuswide artificial intelligence initiatives while completing both his bachelor\u2019s and master\u2019s degrees.<\/li>\n<li>Business administration major and U.S. Air Force veteran <span style=\"text-decoration: underline\"><a href=\"https:\/\/blog.utc.edu\/news\/2025\/12\/durand-hendersons-journey-to-community-and-opportunity-at-utc\/\"><strong>Durand Henderson<\/strong><\/a><\/span>, who found community at UTC through the Office of Veteran and Military Affairs\u2014and plans to continue a family legacy of public service through a future career in foreign service.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Commencement ceremonies are open to the public and tickets are not required. For more information and FAQs about fall commencement, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.utc.edu\/academic-affairs\/registrar\/graduation\/commencement-ceremony-information\"><strong>click here<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Information for families and guests\u2014including parking and travel to campus\u2014is <span style=\"text-decoration: underline\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.utc.edu\/academic-affairs\/registrar\/graduation\/family-guest-info\"><strong>available here<\/strong><\/a><\/span>.<\/li>\n<li>Closed captioning for all commencement ceremonies is <span style=\"text-decoration: underline\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.streamtext.net\/player?event=UTC&amp;chat=false\"><strong>available here<\/strong><\/a><\/span>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>This will be the 266th overall commencement for the University, founded in 1886 as the then-private Chattanooga University. The first UTC graduation ceremony took place on Aug. 23, 1969, at the Tivoli Theatre in downtown Chattanooga.<\/p>\n<h4 style=\"text-align: center\">*\u00a0\u00a0 *\u00a0\u00a0 *\u00a0\u00a0 *\u00a0\u00a0 *<\/h4>\n<h4>2:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 12\u2014Graduate School Commencement<\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"text-decoration: underline\"><a href=\"https:\/\/vimeo.com\/event\/5353081\"><strong>Livestream link<\/strong><\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Dr. Elaine Swafford, CEO, Chattanooga Girls Leadership Academy<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>For more than 40 years, Dr. Elaine Swafford has been a transformative force in education, known for creating opportunities for students and strengthening Chattanooga\u2019s schools. Since becoming CEO of the Chattanooga Girls Leadership Academy in 2012, she has led the state\u2019s first all-girls public charter STEM school from the brink of closure to Reward School distinction and statewide recognition.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_72924\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\" ><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" data-attachment-id=\"72924\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/blog.utc.edu\/news\/2025\/12\/crossing-the-finish-line-utc-to-celebrate-fall-2025-commencement\/swafford-headshot-3-003-square\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.utc.edu\/app\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/12\/Swafford-headshot-3-003-square.jpg?fit=1041%2C1041&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"1041,1041\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-title=\"Swafford headshot 3 (003) square\" data-image-description=\"&lt;p&gt;Dr. Elaine Swafford &lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Dr. Elaine Swafford &lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.utc.edu\/app\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/12\/Swafford-headshot-3-003-square.jpg?fit=880%2C880&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-72924\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.utc.edu\/app\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/12\/Swafford-headshot-3-003-square.jpg?resize=300%2C300&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Dr. Elaine Swafford wearing a black blazer, dark blouse, and pearl necklace stands smiling in front of a stone wall backdrop.\" style=\"max-width: 100%;\"style=\"max-width: 100%;\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.utc.edu\/app\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/12\/Swafford-headshot-3-003-square.jpg?resize=300%2C300&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.utc.edu\/app\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/12\/Swafford-headshot-3-003-square.jpg?resize=1024%2C1024&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.utc.edu\/app\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/12\/Swafford-headshot-3-003-square.jpg?resize=150%2C150&amp;ssl=1 150w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.utc.edu\/app\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/12\/Swafford-headshot-3-003-square.jpg?resize=768%2C768&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.utc.edu\/app\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/12\/Swafford-headshot-3-003-square.jpg?resize=800%2C800&amp;ssl=1 800w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.utc.edu\/app\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/12\/Swafford-headshot-3-003-square.jpg?resize=580%2C580&amp;ssl=1 580w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.utc.edu\/app\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/12\/Swafford-headshot-3-003-square.jpg?resize=610%2C610&amp;ssl=1 610w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.utc.edu\/app\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/12\/Swafford-headshot-3-003-square.jpg?resize=600%2C600&amp;ssl=1 600w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.utc.edu\/app\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/12\/Swafford-headshot-3-003-square.jpg?resize=75%2C75&amp;ssl=1 75w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.utc.edu\/app\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/12\/Swafford-headshot-3-003-square.jpg?w=1041&amp;ssl=1 1041w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><p class=\"wp-caption-text\">Dr. Elaine Swafford<\/p><\/div>\n<p>Her leadership also extends to founding Chattanooga Preparatory School\u2014the region\u2019s first all-boys public charter school\u2014and launching Montessori Elementary at Highland Park, Chattanooga\u2019s first public charter Montessori program. Earlier in her career, she served as executive principal of The Howard School, area superintendent for Hamilton County Schools, and vice president at Chattanooga State Community College, where she created innovative programs that continue to influence student success and workforce readiness.<\/p>\n<p>Swafford serves on the UTC Advisory Board and has played key leadership roles across campus\u2014including the Chancellor\u2019s Roundtable, the Honors College Advisory Board, the College of Engineering and Computer Science Advisory Board, and as an advisory member to the UTC Center for Excellence and Innovation in Education. She has also served as a mentor for the Mocs women\u2019s basketball team.<\/p>\n<p><em>\u201cI have been blessed to spend the majority of my 43-year educational career serving underserved youth and adults\u2014watching dreams become reality and witnessing families recognize that success is absolutely within their reach. These experiences continually reaffirm my belief that high-quality education is the great equalizer,\u201d Swafford said.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>\u201cBeing part of this movement has given me the platform to push the needle forward\u2014leveling the playing field and advancing equity for all students. I work alongside colleagues and partners who are deeply rooted in this mission, committed to the transformative work that changes lives because we truly believe every individual deserves the very best we have to offer.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>\u201cIn this ongoing education revolution, we have the power to inspire hope and change the trajectory of countless lives.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<h4 style=\"text-align: center\">*\u00a0\u00a0 *\u00a0\u00a0 *\u00a0\u00a0 *\u00a0\u00a0 *<\/h4>\n<h4>9 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 13\u2014Undergraduate Commencement<\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"text-decoration: underline\"><a href=\"https:\/\/vimeo.com\/event\/5353111\"><strong>Livestream link<\/strong><\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Weston Wamp, Mayor, Hamilton County<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Hamilton County Mayor Weston Wamp leads Tennessee\u2019s fourth-largest county, overseeing an annual budget exceeding $1 billion. The youngest person ever elected to the role, he has focused his administration on strengthening public education, expanding career training, supporting working families, and addressing the overdose crisis.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_72923\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\" ><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" data-attachment-id=\"72923\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/blog.utc.edu\/news\/2025\/12\/crossing-the-finish-line-utc-to-celebrate-fall-2025-commencement\/ww-headshot-square\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.utc.edu\/app\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/12\/WW-Headshot-square.jpg?fit=500%2C500&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"500,500\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-title=\"WW Headshot square\" data-image-description=\"&lt;p&gt;Weston Wamp&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Weston Wamp&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.utc.edu\/app\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/12\/WW-Headshot-square.jpg?fit=500%2C500&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-72923\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.utc.edu\/app\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/12\/WW-Headshot-square.jpg?resize=300%2C300&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Hamilton County Mayor Weston Wamp in a dark suit jacket and checkered shirt smiles slightly while standing on a porch with soft natural light in the background.\" style=\"max-width: 100%;\"style=\"max-width: 100%;\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.utc.edu\/app\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/12\/WW-Headshot-square.jpg?resize=300%2C300&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.utc.edu\/app\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/12\/WW-Headshot-square.jpg?resize=150%2C150&amp;ssl=1 150w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.utc.edu\/app\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/12\/WW-Headshot-square.jpg?resize=75%2C75&amp;ssl=1 75w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.utc.edu\/app\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/12\/WW-Headshot-square.jpg?w=500&amp;ssl=1 500w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><p class=\"wp-caption-text\">Weston Wamp<\/p><\/div>\n<p>A graduate of the University of Tennessee with a bachelor\u2019s degree in communication studies, Wamp previously worked in early-stage venture capital, founded a nonprofit\u2014In the Black\u2014and served on the Tennessee Board of Regents, where he gained a firsthand appreciation for the power of education to transform lives.<\/p>\n<p>Wamp and his wife, Shelby, live on Signal Mountain with their five children and are active in Young Life.<\/p>\n<p><em>\u201cAs a graduate of the University of Tennessee system, it\u2019s an honor to be invited to speak to UTC\u2019s newest graduates as they embark on the rest of their lives,\u201d Wamp said. \u201cUTC is one of the institutions that defines Hamilton County, and I\u2019m optimistic about its future from engineering to entrepreneurship under the leadership of Dr. Bruce.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<h4>Learn more<\/h4>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/blog.utc.edu\/news\/tag\/commencement-2025\/\">Commencement 2025<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.utc.edu\/enrollment-management-and-student-affairs\/admissions\/visit\">Visit UTC<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.utc.edu\/apply\">How to apply<\/a><\/p>\n<p><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"880\" height=\"588\" data-attachment-id=\"72922\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/blog.utc.edu\/news\/2025\/12\/crossing-the-finish-line-utc-to-celebrate-fall-2025-commencement\/undergraduate-commencement-25-78\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.utc.edu\/app\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/12\/Undergraduate-Commencement-25-65.jpg?fit=1200%2C802&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"1200,802\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-title=\"Undergraduate Commencement-25\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.utc.edu\/app\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/12\/Undergraduate-Commencement-25-65.jpg?fit=880%2C588&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-72922 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.utc.edu\/app\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/12\/Undergraduate-Commencement-25-65.jpg?resize=880%2C588&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Graduates in blue and gold regalia throw their caps into the air in celebration inside an arena during commencement.\" style=\"max-width: 100%;\"style=\"max-width: 100%;\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.utc.edu\/app\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/12\/Undergraduate-Commencement-25-65.jpg?w=1200&amp;ssl=1 1200w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.utc.edu\/app\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/12\/Undergraduate-Commencement-25-65.jpg?resize=1024%2C684&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.utc.edu\/app\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/12\/Undergraduate-Commencement-25-65.jpg?resize=768%2C513&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.utc.edu\/app\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/12\/Undergraduate-Commencement-25-65.jpg?resize=800%2C535&amp;ssl=1 800w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.utc.edu\/app\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/12\/Undergraduate-Commencement-25-65.jpg?resize=580%2C388&amp;ssl=1 580w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.utc.edu\/app\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/12\/Undergraduate-Commencement-25-65.jpg?resize=610%2C408&amp;ssl=1 610w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.utc.edu\/app\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/12\/Undergraduate-Commencement-25-65.jpg?resize=600%2C400&amp;ssl=1 600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 880px) 100vw, 880px\" \/><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>On Dec. 12-13, UTC will celebrate fall commencement at McKenzie Arena, honoring the accomplishments of approximately 670 undergraduates and 160 graduate students earning their degrees. Many of the 198 undergraduate and 95 graduate students who completed their degrees in August are also expected to return to campus to join in the celebration.<\/p>\n<p class=\"more-link-wrap\"><span><a class=\"more-link button text\" href=\"https:\/\/blog.utc.edu\/news\/2025\/12\/crossing-the-finish-line-utc-to-celebrate-fall-2025-commencement\/\"><span>Continue Reading <\/a><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1493,"featured_media":72928,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"","_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_ef_editorial_meta_date_first-draft-date":"","_ef_editorial_meta_paragraph_assignment":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_needs-photo":"","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_slider":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_featurette":"","_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[64,70,123864,72,12746,15,61,59,56,3,12659,7712,57,52,8244,12745,8293,661,124930],"tags":[124214,125515,123827,123826,124615,125473,126440,125907,126446,123828,125808,125603,126163,123829,126441,48041,124707],"class_list":{"0":"post-72921","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-academics","8":"category-advancement-and-alumni","9":"category-athletics","10":"category-brock-scholars-honors-college","11":"category-campus","12":"category-college-of-arts-sciences","13":"category-college-of-engineering-and-computer-science","14":"category-college-of-health-education-and-professional-studies","15":"category-community","16":"category-events-entertainment","17":"category-faculty-and-staff","18":"category-college-of-business","19":"category-graduate-school","20":"category-honors-and-awards","21":"category-honors-college-2","22":"category-news","23":"category-office-of-the-chancellor","24":"category-students","25":"category-transfer-students","26":"tag-charles-kemp","27":"tag-commencement-2025","28":"tag-creating-the-mocs-experience","29":"tag-cultivating-a-culture-of-innovation","30":"tag-daniel-duggin","31":"tag-durand-henderson","32":"tag-elaine-swafford","33":"tag-julio-gonzalez","34":"tag-kristopher-ware","35":"tag-leveraging-our-special-place-as-chattanoogas-university","36":"tag-lori-bruce","37":"tag-lori-mann-bruce","38":"tag-matt-mcallister","39":"tag-operating-with-excellence","40":"tag-shari-warren","41":"tag-stacie-grisham","42":"tag-weston-wamp","43":"entry"},"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.9 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Crossing the finish line: UTC to celebrate fall 2025 commencement | UTC News<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"On Dec. 12-13, UTC will celebrate fall commencement at McKenzie Arena, honoring the accomplishments of approximately 670 undergraduates and 160 graduate students earning their degrees. 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