Congratulations to a Special Group of Graduates
Commencement is always a favorite occasion on Rocky Top, and this year we celebrated a remarkable group of graduates.
The Class of 2024 arrived on campus four years ago at a time of great uncertainty. It was during a global pandemic that these students, having missed their high school graduation, headed to college unsure of how their experience would unfold.
They came to campus with open minds and unwavering belief in themselves. They trusted that they were prepared and that the people around them, both on campus and at home, would be there to support them.
Today they are perhaps the most prepared and resilient graduates UT has ever produced. It’s been inspiring to watch them grow and flourish during their time on Rocky Top, honing their skills, pursuing undergraduate research, becoming leaders on campus, sharing their talents, and serving others.
This spring we awarded more than 5,600 undergraduate, graduate, law, and veterinary degrees across 11 colleges. The graduating class included 811 first-generation college students, 276 honors students, and 119 international students.
Thirteen Air Force ROTC cadets and 28 Army ROTC cadets were commissioned. Additionally, 344 graduates earned service medallions to wear during their commencement exercises, commemorating their service to campus and the Knoxville community.
We also had the opportunity to recognize one of our community’s most deserving leaders, the late Robert Booker.
Mr. Booker was Tennessee’s first African American state representative and a key figure in Knoxville’s civil rights movement. His leadership and documentation of local history have enriched generations of Knoxvillians.
Before Mr. Booker’s passing in February, I went with College of Arts and Sciences Interim Executive Dean Robert Hinde to his East Knoxville home, where we presented him with an honorary Doctor of Humanities degree. It was a deeply meaningful experience.
Mr. Booker told me how special it was to him to receive this year’s honorary degree and how he hoped others—especially our graduates—understand the value of engaging in our community and learning from others. I am grateful to have known Mr. Booker, and we are proud to honor his legacy in this way.
While we were there he provided a message for our graduates, which we shared with them at the College of Arts and Sciences commencement ceremony. I hope you’ll take a moment to watch it.
TRANSCRIPT
It is a great privilege to present you with an Honorary Doctorate of Humanities degree from the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.
Congratulations, Dr. Booker.
Dr. Plowman and officials of this great university and faculty, friends who are about to graduate. I thank you for this moment of reflecting on how savoring and important the occasion is for a high honor like this and I’m grateful.
You who are about to graduate today have had some of the greatest experiences of your lives and professors steeped in their particular fields have given their best thinking.
But it is my fervent prayer that you will leave this place and work hard at your chosen profession. Also, that you will use your experience in education to help guide your community.
Our world is still too full of hate, violence, intolerance, and injustice. Only an enlightened public can change that.
The American mind is not all that small. It welcomes all ideas. To be fully vetted to cherish those ideas that make us great and keep an eye on those who might do us harm.
This is why we are here today. You have to read some of those banned books. You have to hear lectures from liberals and conservatives alike.
You have heard the best arguments. You have prepared to meet the world in all its diversity. I wish you the best of luck.