Former U.S. Ambassador to Japan Howard H. Baker Jr. will speak at the University of Tennessee Commencement at 8:30 a.m. Saturday, May 7, in Thompson-Boling Arena.
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Howard H. Baker Jr.
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Baker also will receive UT-Knoxville’s first honorary doctoral degree. He will be awarded a Doctorate of Humane Letters.
A native of Huntsville, Tenn., Baker served three terms as a U.S. Senator from Tennessee (1967-1985) and was the first Republican popularly elected to that position.
He was vice chairman of the Senate Watergate Committee. He served as Senate Minority Leader from 1977 to 1981 and as majority leader from 1981 until he retired in 1985. Baker also served as President Ronald Reagan’s chief of staff 1987-1988.
UT-Knoxville Chancellor Loren Crabtree said Baker’s award is well-deserved.
“Howard Baker has been among the leading statesmen and national political figures of our times. To be able to honor him with the first honorary degree from his alma mater is truly fitting,” Crabtree said.
The ceremony will honor more than 3,300 undergraduate, graduate, law and veterinary medicine students who will graduate in the spring, as well as more than 600 who will finish during the summer term.
Parking for the university commencement ceremony will be available in the following areas: G-10 (enter from Neyland Drive), C-17, C-18 and C-3. Overflow parking is available in any lot marked commuter or non-commuter.
In addition to the university ceremony, students attend separate commencement ceremonies held by their colleges.
College of Agricultural Science and Natural Resources: 3:30 p.m., Saturday, May 7, at the Knoxville Convention Center, exhibit hall B.
College of Architecture and Design: Hooding Ceremony, 4 p.m., Friday, May 6, at Clarence Brown Theatre.
College of Arts and Sciences: 11:30 a.m., Saturday, May 7, at Thompson-Boling Arena.
College of Business Administration: 3 p.m., Saturday, May 7, at Thompson-Boling Arena.
College of Communication and Information: 11 a.m., Saturday, May 7, at the Knoxville Convention Center, exhibit hall A.
College of Education, Health and Human Science: 3 p.m., Saturday, May 7, at the Knoxville Convention Center, exhibit hall A.
College of Engineering: 11:30 a.m., Saturday, May 7, at the Knoxville Convention Center, exhibit hall B.
College of Nursing: Convocation, 3 p.m., Friday, May 6, at Thompson-Boling Arena.
College of Social Work: 12 noon, Saturday, May 7, at Alumni Memorial Building.