Carson-Newman to recognize record number of graduates during May 5 ceremonies

Graduate Student Commencement will begin at approximately 7 p.m.

Watch the 9 a.m. Commencement

Watch the 11 a.m. Commencement

Watch the 1 p.m. Commencement

(April 27, 2017) –A record number of Carson-Newman University graduates will receive degrees during Spring Commencement ceremonies on Friday, May 5.

The University will confer over 600 degrees during its undergraduate and graduates services.

The undergraduate ceremony will be held at 9 a.m. at Burke-Tarr Stadium with the graduate ceremony is slated for 7 p.m. in Holt Field House.

Three Carson-Newman alumni will be honored during the morning festivities. Sevierville attorney and 1968 graduate Richard Wallace will receive the Distinguished Alumnus Award for decades of service to his community, profession, church and alma mater. Dr. Jean Love, C-N tennis coach, associate professor of physical education and exercise science and 1983 alumna, will be feted with the R. R. Turner Spirit of Carson-Newman Award, for selfless service to students and colleagues. A 2008 graduate, Merideth George Marano, will be presented the Outstanding Young Alumna Award in celebration of her operatic success on both international and domestic stages.

Tennessee Commissioner of Education Dr. Candice McQueen will address graduates during the evening ceremony. McQueen has served as education commissioner for the state since 2015. During her first year, McQueen led a statewide effort to create a new strategic plan and vision for schools called Tennessee Succeeds. She has sought to nurture relationships between Nashville and classroom teachers. Working alongside Governor Bill Haslam and the first lady of Tennessee, Crissy Haslam, McQueen helped to launch the comprehensive statewide literacy effort Read to be Ready.

Founded in 1851, Carson-Newman is located in Jefferson City, Tennessee, among the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains. The University has over 2,600 students and offers 50 undergraduate majors, as well as associate’s, bachelor’s, master’s and doctorate degrees.