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Campus News

A Snapshot of Life on Rocky Top

Students return for the first day of classes

The first two weeks of life in Big Orange Country have been filled with hundreds of events and traditions for first-year and returning students at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.

Kelcie Rummage, a junior from Nashville majoring in public relations, said that even though this will be the start of her third year at UT, coming back to campus feels a little strange.

“I’ve grown used to the hybrid learning environment, but I truly am excited to get back on campus and start making new friends,” she explained. “This transition semester will definitely have its own challenges, but regardless of what happens we know we can overcome any obstacle that comes our way because we’ve already done it before.”

Here’s a snapshot of life on Rocky top for more than 31,000 students so far this semester.

Two new students laugh as they juggle boxes to move into their residence hall.
Students walk on Pedestrian Bridge, lined with balloons for the first day of classes on August 18, 2021.
High school sweethearts from Memphis, TN ride a scooter along Pedestrian Walkway during Big Orange Friday on August 20, 2021.
Students hold up their glow sticks during Torch Night 2021 for incoming first year students inside Neyland Stadium on August 16, 2021.
The first year students took a class photo in the shape of a Power T inside Neyland Stadium.
Chancellor Donde Plowman speaks during Torch Night 2021 for incoming first year students inside Neyland Stadium on August 16, 2021.
Students return for the first day of classes on August 18, 2021.
Two students fist-bump on the way to class.
New students walk over the seal on Pedestrian Walkway. Upperclass students shared wisdom on social media, explaining the UT tradition.
The Pride of the Southland Marching Band marches down Volunteer Blvd during their game day practice performance on August 13, 2021.
The dance team runs by the Pride of the Southland Marching Band during their game day practice performance on August 13, 2021.
Students hangout in the TREC outdoor swimming pool.
Students play spike ball during the first-year picnic held at the Humanities Plaza on August 15, 2021.
Students visit during the first-year picnic held at the Humanities Plaza on August 15, 2021.
A new student waves to the camera as her family helps her move boxes into her residence hall.
A resident assistant passes a football with an incoming new student between move-in appointments.
Students make new friends during the first-year picnic held at the Humanities Plaza on August 15, 2021.
A UTPD officer chats with a facilities services employee and a parent of an incoming student on move-in day.
Two students connect outdoors during move-in.

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CONTACT:

Maddie Stephens (865-974-3993, msteph44@utk.edu)