Spring 2008 Graduate Hooding Ceremony
Professional photographers were on hand at the event to take photos of graduates. A few days after the ceremony, you may be able to search for and order your photos from their website (http://www.mygradfoto.com/).
Fall 2008 Graduate Hooding Ceremony
Friday, December 12, 2008 at 4:30 p.m.
Thompson-Boling Assembly Center & Arena
More information will be made available as plans are made.
All cell phones must be turned off as soon as you enter the seating area. Please refrain from cell phone use before and during the ceremony.
Smoking is strictly prohibited inside Thompson-Boling Assembly Center & Arena.
Registration
Fall graduates are invited to attend, but must RSVP online for the ceremony by October 31, 2008. Students who graduated in Summer 2008 or who will be graduating in Fall 2008 are invited to participate, but must register by the Fall deadline.
Check our list of registered students.
Cap, Gown, and Hood
Only those students dressed in proper academic regalia (cap, gown, and hood) will be allowed to participate. Graduates are responsible for ordering regalia at the University Book and Supply Store's Graduate Counter (865-974-3459) by October 31, 2008. You must pick it up from the bookstore prior to the arriving for the ceremony. It will not be available for pick-up at the arena!
Location
Thompson-Boling Assembly Center & Arena is located at the corner of Neyland Drive and Lake Loudoun Drive in Knoxville, TN. Graduates should look for signs directing them to the proper entrance. Guests will be directed to the concourse level.
Parking
Parking for all guests and participants is available in Garage G-10, which is located between the arena and the stadium. You may access this garage by Neyland Drive or Philip Fulmer Way.
Arrival Time
Graduates must arrive at the Arena early with cap, gown and hood. Please allow sufficient time for traveling. We may not be able to accommodate students arriving after 3:30 p.m. The ceremony begins at 4:30 p.m. and will last approximately 90 minutes.
Guest Seating
No tickets are required. Unlimited seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Check-in
All graduates must check-in upon arrival and receive a name card. Only those students dressed in academic regalia will be allowed to participate. Until you reach the stage, you must have your name card with you at all times. If you wish to have photography proofs mailed to you, be sure to include your mailing address on the back of the card.
Master's and Specialist in Education candidates must register at the Master's Check-In area, which will be located in the East Hallway. Graduates should look for signs directing them to the correct location. Master's candidates will wear their hoods for the entire duration of the ceremony.
Doctoral candidates check-in at the Ray Mears Room.
Master's Seating
After registering and receiving a name card, Master's candidates should proceed to the row of seats designated for each college and be seated. Ushers will be available for seating assistance. The first candidate in each row must carry a card bearing the name of the college.
Candidates must be seated in their assigned section before 4:00 p.m. During the ceremony, ushers on each side of the row will prompt candidates when to rise and move toward the stage. Please watch the ushers for the cue to rise. Candidates will exit their seats to the left and process to the stage.
Doctoral Lineup and Procession
Doctoral candidates should arrive by 3:30 p.m. and receive a name card upon entering Ray Mears Room. Please stand adjacent to your assigned area, each designated by college signs. At approximately 4:00 p.m., Graduate School staff will instruct doctoral candidates and hooders in lining up, processing in, processing to the stage, and the proper way to hood and be hooded.
Doctoral candidates and hooders will process in after the stage party and will be seated on the right side. At the appropriate time (and after Master's candidates), doctoral candidates and hooders will be cued by ushers on each side of the row to stand. Doctoral candidates and hooders will exit their seats to the right and process to the stage, with hooder in front and followed by the candidate.
Staging
You must give the card to the Reader of Names to receive recognition upon crossing the stage. The first candidate in each college must also give the Reader of Names the college card, which will be supplied immediately prior to the beginning of the ceremony. Only students posessing a name card will be allowed to cross the stage. Proceed to accept congratulations from your college dean.
Doctoral students will be hooded on stage by a member of their doctoral committee. If a hooder is not available, the doctoral student will be hooded by the college dean.
Photography
As a courtesy to all in attendance, please have your guests refrain from advancing to the front of the stage to take photos as you are walking across. A professional photographer will be taking photos as graduates shake hands with the dean on stage. Graduates must include their mailing address on the back of their name card if they wish to be mailed a photo proof. After the ceremony, the stage will be available for additional graduate and guest photo opportunities.
Adjournment
After you have you leave the stage, return to your designated seating area and remain seated until the conclusion of the ceremony. Do not leave any personal items or valuables unattended at any time during the ceremony. Once the ceremony has been adjourned, you may meet your guests and make your departure from the Arena.