Commencement

A Message From President Bell

bell

Congratulations on your upcoming graduation!! You have worked very hard for the reward you are about to receive and we are so proud of you, Tennessee Tech’s newest alumni. I want to extend best wishes to each of you. An ancient poet once gave a blessing appropriate for an occasion like this, especially one at Tennessee Tech:

Even youth grow tired and weary, and young people stumble and fall, But those who maintain their hope will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not be faint.

It’s time for you to go forth, and soar . . . on wings, like eagles! Congratulations to each of you!

All my best,

Robert R. Bell
President

There is no commencement ceremony for students who complete their degree requirements in the Summer semester. This began Summer 2010.

Undergraduate students who want to participate in the commencement ceremony at the end of Fall semester may do so by supplying the Graduation Office (DH122) with that information.

Fall Commencement will be December 17, 2011 at 10:00 CST at the Hooper Eblen Center. Students graduating in the Fall will receive the email during Fall semester with the respond date included.

Speaker

Dr. John "Steve" Copeland

A native of the Alpine Community of Overton County, Copeland received a bachelor's degree from Tennessee Tech University and graduated from Auburn University with a doctorate of veterinary medicine. He established his practice in 1970 and has continued to practice veterinary medicine and surgery in Cookeville, Tennessee.

He was appointed by former Gov. Lamar Alexander to the Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners and by Cookeville City Council to the Board of Trustees of Cookeville Regional Medical Center. He is a member of the Advisory Board of Nashville State Community College, Cookeville Campus, and is a Director of First National Bank of Tennessee. He served three years as chairman of the State of Tennessee Department of Labor Work Force Development Board. Copeland was elected to three terms on the Cookeville City Council and served one term as vice mayor.

Copeland was appointed to the Tennessee Board of Regents on August 13, 2009, by former Gov. Phil Bredesen to represent the 6^th congressional district.

Diploma

Diplomas will be mailed to all those undergraduates who graduate in the Fall no later than January 13, 2012. They will be mailed to the address you provide to the Graduation Office during the Fall semester in response to an email with a weblink.· Please make sure this is an address where you can receive mail at that date.

Caps and Gowns

Cost of the cap and gown is included in the General Access Fee paid each semester – no additional charge
Senior Salute is October 19, 2011 from 1 – 5 pm and October 20, 2011 from 10 – 2pm in the Tech Pride Room of the Roaden University Center
The supplier has a variety of sizes to choose from
If you cannot attend either of those dates, caps and gowns will be available in the University Bookstore on the ground floor of the Roaden University Center
Staff from the bookstore will be at the commencement ceremony with limited supply of caps, gowns and tassels
Those candidates receiving commission from the ROTC department may wear their uniform under the cap and gown but are required to wear the mortar board

Dress

Men: slacks (no jeans or shorts), shirt, and comfortable shoes (no sandals, flip-flops or tennis shoes)
Women: dresses or skirts, slacks or capri pants (no jeans or shorts) and comfortable shoes (no tennis shoes or flip-flops)
There is no place for personal belongings to be left so please leave those with family members
Keep in mind you will be standing for quite a while, so choose clothing and shoes for comfort

Behavior

Anyone under the influence of alcohol is subject to being removed from the line of march
Use of cell phones during ceremony is prohibited
Use of air horns and other such devices is prohibited and will be confiscated

Graduation and Rehearsal

Fall 2011 commencement ceremony will be December 17, 2011 at 10 a.m. CST in the Hooper Eblen Center
All candidates are required to be there·no later than 8:45 a.m. CST in cap and gown
Rehearsal will be·December 15, 2011 at 4 p.m. CST in the Hooper Eblen Center – attendance is not required but helpful
Candidates need to enter at the Ticket Office entrance – there will be signs directing you to the appropriate area of the concourse for lineup
Undergraduate candidates are alphabetical with their college or school
Graduate candidates are alphabetical by degree level
Personnel from the Graduation Office, the Graduate School, or other staff will be checking the line of march
You must check in with the person for your line - otherwise your name will be removed from the list and your name will not be called out.
Tickets for guests are not required – seating is first come, first served

Special Facilities

Any candidate requiring special facilities to participate in the ceremony due to a physical disability should contact the Graduation Office at 931-372-3543 by December 12, 2011
Questions concerning disabled parking areas may be directed to the University Police at 931-372-3234

Attendance

Fall commencement ceremony will last approximately· 2 - 2 ½ hours
Candidates who plan to participate are required to stay for the entire time
No participants are allowed to leave until the ceremony is over
Participation in the ceremony does not confirm clearance for receipt of a diploma – do not cite participation as evidence of graduation
All candidates participating will receive a diploma cover as they cross the stage and will receive their diploma in the mail after confirmation of graduation

In Absentia Status

Fall 2011 candidates - Those candidates choosing to graduate in absentia must complete and submit the information in the website http://www2.tntech.edu/records/grad no later than November 11, 2011

Honors

Graduation with honors (cum laude, magna cum laude, and summa cum laude) for the listing in the commencement program and what is announced at commencement ceremony is determined by the cumulative GPA (all TTU coursework plus transfer credit) at the beginning of the final semester.
Honors notation on the diploma and student transcript include the final semesters coursework
Graduation honors are only available for undergraduate students
Cum Laude (3.50-3.69), Magna Cum Laude (3.70-3.89), Summa Cum Laude (3.90-4.0)
Students graduating with a 4.00 GPA will also receive the W. A. Howard Award and plaque.· A notation of the award will appear on the diploma and transcript

Photographs

Photographic Services will have their professional photographers at the commencement ceremony
As you approach the ramp to go on stage you will be asked to pause for a picture and another photo will be taken as you shake hands with the President
You will be contacted when the proofs are available online by Photographic Services
Photographic Services' phone number is 931-372-3305

Requirements

Fall 2011 candidates - All coursework for undergraduate degrees must be completed and grades submitted by Monday, December 19, 2011.
Fall 2011 candidates - Students taking coursework at other colleges must have the official transcript sent to the Office of the Registrar, P.O. Box 5026, Cookeville, TN· 38505 no later than January 13, 2012.
Any transcripts received after this date will be considered for the next semester’s graduation

Outstanding University Debt

Chapter 654 of the Public Acts of 1976 prohibits state institutions of higher education from issuing diplomas, transcripts, or grade reports of any nature to any student unless the student has satisfied all debts or obligations owed to the institution
Fall 2011 candidates - Parking tickets or other outstanding debts must be cleared with the Business Office (DH100) by 3:30 on Friday, December 16, 2011