Kickoff to Commencement

Student, faculty, and staff spring commencement planners did some quick thinking when faced with Thompson–Boling Arena renovations that would mean canceling the formal, campus–wide spring ceremony. They came up with a grand alternative!

An evening of music, food, and fireworks seemed like the natural opening to the graduation season, and on May 9 the great idea became the first ever Kickoff to Commencement. The event was enthusiastically attended, and approval ratings were high from our graduates and their families and friends.

Gathered on the Joe Johnson/John Ward Pedestrian Mall, hundreds of grads and their guests picked up sandwiches, Cokes, and other picnic fare and found seats around the amphitheater and Humanities Plaza. Most had brought blankets or yard chairs. All food, souvenir orange UT wristbands and stadium cups, and entertainment were provided at no cost to those who attended. Special gifts to all grads were orange cords with tassels to complement their academic regalia at college ceremonies held over the following three days of individual college commencement ceremonies.

UT alum and country music star Deana Carter (’89) was the headliner and gave a show-stopping performance of “Rocky Top.” At the end of the evening, fireworks atop the Humanities Building seemed the perfect touch.

We revived the Aloha Oe candlelight tradition on the same evening at the request of our students. The first Aloha Oe was held in 1926 to signify the graduates’ journey and honor their pledge of loyalty to their university and community. The tradition ceased in the 1960s, but was reinstated by a Student Government Association bill this semester.

Graduates met at the Torchbearer, then walked along Volunteer Boulevard to the Pedestrian Mall Kickoff.

Wish you could have been there? In a way, you can. We’ve created a marvelous online photo scrapbook—and if you were there with your camera, you can submit your photos, too!

Back to eTorch