Author-Historian Urges Grads to Think for Themselves
Presidential historian and Pulitzer Prize–winning author Jon Meacham urged UT graduates to embrace their Tennessee spirit by learning from the past and thinking for themselves.
Campus Invited to ‘Conversation with Jon Meacham’
The campus community is invited to a sit-down with Pulitzer Prize-winning writer, editor and scholar, and honorary doctorate recipient Jon Meacham at 8 p.m. Thursday, December 14.
Commencement Ceremonies Set for December 14-15
UT’s undergraduate commencement and graduate hooding ceremonies will be held December 14-15.
Businessman, Philanthropist Niswonger to Receive Honorary Degree
The UT Board of Trustees on Friday approved awarding transportation magnate Scott Niswonger an honorary degree from UT Knoxville.
Astronaut Schmitt Receives Honorary Degree, Exhorts Grads to Lead the Way
Harrison H. “Jack” Schmitt was part of the last manned mission to the moon. Today, he shared lessons learned from that December 1972 mission with graduates of UT’s College of Arts and Sciences. During the Apollo 17 mission, the rocket that was to return home needed electrical signals to ignite. Schmitt and his fellow astronauts
Governor Phil Bredesen Earns Honorary Doctorate; Asks Graduates to Share Their Good Fortune
Phil Bredesen—Tennessee’s 48th governor—received an honorary degree from UT Knoxville at the graduate hooding ceremony Thursday evening.
HGTV Founder Receives Honorary Degree, Tells Grads to Listen, Learn, Love
Ken Lowe, CEO of Scripps Networks Interactive and creator of HGTV, told UT graduates that he built his career by combining things he loved—home remodeling, television, and electronic media.
Pomp and Circumstance: Commencement Ceremonies Are Next Week
More than 4,000 students, including 3,038 undergraduates, 805 graduate, 96 law, and 82 veterinary medicine students, will participate in commencement ceremonies next week at UT.
ORNL Director, FedEx Founder Awarded Honorary Degrees
A physicist and a business leader received honorary degrees from UT on Thursday and today and spoke to some of the university’s newest graduates, challenging them to be innovators—in their careers and in their lives.
University to Award Honorary Degrees to Gensler Managing Principal and FedEx CEO
UT will award its eleventh and twelfth honorary degrees to a leader in the world of architecture and design and the founder of one of the world’s most innovative businesses.
Edelman Urges Grads to Make a Difference
Civil rights and social equality advocate Marian Wright Edelman urged graduates to do their part to make America “more just, more hopeful, more peaceful, more productive, inclusive, and unified.” Chancellor Cheek awarded Edelman an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters —the ninth honorary degree given by UT—at the College of Communication and Information commencement ceremony.
UT to Award Honorary Degrees to Social Activist and Actress
UT will award its ninth and tenth honorary degrees to social activist Marian Wright Edelman and actress Dale Dickey. Edelman will receive an Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters and speak at the College of Communication and Information commencement. Dickey will receive an Honorary Master of Fine Arts in acting during a campus visit next year.