UT Knoxville graduation Countdown

Older than the state itself

Chartered in 1794 as Blount College, UT predates the state of Tennessee by two years. The 'Volunteers' name honors the Tennesseans who answered the call in the War of 1812 and the Mexican-American War, and the ethos survives in the Volunteer Creed's Torchbearer: 'one that beareth a torch shadoweth oneself to give light to others.' Today the flagship co-manages Oak Ridge National Laboratory with Battelle and is nationally known for supply chain management at the Haslam College of Business, nuclear engineering and its research ties across East Tennessee.

Four days of ceremonies at Food City Center

Ceremonies fill Food City Center — the 21,678-seat arena on the Tennessee River that Vol fans still call Thompson-Boling — spread across four days and split by college so every graduate's name can be read aloud. Graduate hooding gets its own ceremonies, orange is everywhere from stoles to socks, and no one leaves without at least one full-throated 'Rocky Top.' Afterward, the Torchbearer statue at Circle Park draws the longest photo line on campus. Winter graduates get their own commencement weekend each December.

Graduates, class by class

The Class of 1910 sent Clarence Brown to Hollywood, where he directed Greta Garbo and earned the campus theatre that bears his name. Howard Baker, Class of 1949, became Senate majority leader and White House chief of staff; Jim Haslam, Class of 1952, captained the 1951 national champions and founded Pilot. Dave Ramsey, Class of 1982, built a personal-finance empire; Peyton Manning, Class of 1997, delivered Super Bowl wins in both Indianapolis and Denver; and Chamique Holdsclaw, Class of 1999, won three straight national titles with the Lady Vols.

Planning your trip — and sharing the moment

Knoxville absorbs 100,000-fan football weekends, so graduation won't overwhelm it — but downtown and Cumberland Avenue hotels near campus still book up fast, and four days of ceremonies mean you should confirm your graduate's exact date and time before reserving anything. Food City Center's size keeps guest seating comfortable, though parking lots fill early, so build in a buffer. If you're in the Class of 2027, share this countdown with your friends, your family and your group chat, and count down to Rocky Top together.

Quick facts

• Chartered in 1794 as Blount College, two years before Tennessee statehood
• Record enrollment of 40,421 students in fall 2025
• Commencement venue Food City Center seats 21,678
• Neyland Stadium holds 101,915 — among the largest stadiums in the United States
• UT co-manages Oak Ridge National Laboratory through UT-Battelle
• Spring 2027 ceremonies run May 13–16; a December commencement serves winter graduates