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    UndergraduateGraduateMedicalPharmacy
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    Bachelor’sGraduateOnlinePharmacy
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  • Tools
     Email GoldLink D2L Safety
  • 3Advisories
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ETSU Commencement

10:00 AM Live Stream2:30 PM Live StreamCommencement Program

Commencement

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Congratulations to our Spring 2025 graduates!

 

Commencement was held on Saturday, May 10 in the Ballad Health Athletic Center (Mini Dome).

Links to the live streams and digital program are above. Below are some highlights from all the ceremonies. Please note that only the names of those graduates present at each ceremony were announced from the stage.

All your Commencement Information

Times & Colleges

During the academic restructuring on July 1, 2024 some ETSU majors moved to a new college. Please consult the list below to confirm which ceremony to attend.

Click here for the Commencement Program

10:00 A.M. Ceremony - Click here to view the live stream

  • College of Public Health
    Environmental Health
    Epidemiology
    Health Administration
    Health Data Analytics
    Health Sciences
    Microbiology
    Public Health
    Recovery Research
    Rural Public Health
  • Clemmer College of Education & Human Development
    Applied Science
    Curriculum & Instruction
    Early Childhood Development
    Early Childhood Education
    Educational Leadership
    Elementary Education
    Interdisciplinary Studies
    Reading
    School Librarianship
    Special Education
    Teacher Education


  • College of Arts & Sciences


    Anthropology
    Appalachian Studies
    Applied Data Science
    Art
    Biology
    Bluegrass, Old Time, and Country Music Studies
    Bluegrs, Old-Time, Roots Study
    Chemistry
    Communic. & Storytelling Studies
    Communication Studies
    Criminal Justice and Criminology
    Engineering
    Engineering Technology
    English
    Foreign Languages
    Geographic Information Systems
    Geosciences
    Graphic Design
    History
    Interior Architecture
    International Affairs
    Mathematical Sciences
    Mathematics
    Music
    Philosophy
    Physics
    Political Science
    Psychology
    Psychology (PHD)
    Public Administration
    Sociology
    Studio Art
    Surveying and Mapping Science
    Theatre

2:30 P.M. Ceremony - Click here to view the live stream

  • Quillen College of Medicine
    Biomedical Sciences
  • Bill Gatton College of Pharmacy
    Pharmacy Studies
  • College of Nursing
    Nursing

  • College of Health Sciences
    Allied Health
    Audiology
    Clinical Nutrition
    Counseling
    Dental Hygiene
    Human Services
    Indiv, Family, & Community Sciences
    Kinesiology
    Nutrition
    Occupational Therapy
    Radiologic Science
    Rehabilitative Health Sciences
    Respiratory Therapy
    Social Work
    Speech-Language Pathology
    Sport Nutrition
    Sport Physiology and Performan
    Sport Science & Coach Education


  • College of Business & Technology
    Accountancy
    Brand and Media Strategy
    Business Administration
    Computer Science
    Computing
    Data Analytics
    Digital Media
    Economics
    Film Production
    Finance
    Global Sport Leadership
    Information Systems
    Management
    Marketing
    Media and Communication
    Sport and Recreation Mgmt
    Sport Management
    Supply Chain Management


We will not be holding a graduation practice/rehearsal. Seating assignments will be emailed on the Monday before the ceremony.

For information about cap and gown, please review Student Regalia Information.

There will be an opportunity to buy flowers and gifts at commencement. Proceeds go to the Preview and Orientation Leader Organization (POLO), Alpha Lambda Sigma (Adult Student Honor Society), and Tao Sigma (Transfer Student Honor Society). Families and supporters have the option to purchase at the door or pre-order through this link.

Island Photography will be taking pictures of each graduate. They typically send picture proofs to the student’s email. If you have additional questions, please contact Island Photography directly. www.islandphoto.com 

Guests

Guest tickets are not required for the ceremony, and there is no limit on the number of guests per graduate. Ceremonies will last approximately 2 hours. Professional photographs will be taken of each graduate during the ceremony, and printed programs will be available for those attending in person.

Guest Entry

  • Doors will open to guests 60 minutes before the beginning of the ceremony.
  • Guest entrances will be on the East and West side of the Ballad Health Athletic Center (Mini Dome).
  • The university’s clear-bag policy will be enforced. Metal detectors will be in place and guests will be screened on entry.
  • Please bring as little as possible inside the venue. This will speed up the entry procedure and reduce chances of lines.

Seating

  • Guest seating is on a first-come, first-served basis.
  • Accessible seating is available for those with mobility restrictions. Please go to the Disability Services tab for more information.
  • For safety reasons, guests are to remain seated for the duration of the ceremony.
  • Aisles and passageways are to be kept open at all times.

Guest Exit

  • Commencement closes with a recessional. Please remain seated until after the recessional is completed. 
  • Guests are encouraged to meet their graduates outside, in the parking garage, or elsewhere after the ceremony.
  • Please do not require graduates to leave the ceremony before it ends.

Graduates

10:00 AM Commencement Seating Assignments

Click Here to download accessible file


2:30 PM Commencement Seating Assignments

Click Here to download accessible file

Graduates do not need to RSVP to attend. Below are detailed instructions for the day.

Graduate Entry

  • Doors will open for graduates 60 minutes before the ceremony start time.
  • Graduates should enter from the West side of the Ballad Health Athletic Center (Mini Dome) through the center doors on the ground level.
  • The university’s clear-bag policy will be enforced. Metal detectors will be in place and graduates will be screened on entry.
  • Please bring as little as possible inside the venue. This will speed up the entry procedure and reduce chances of lines.
  • Once inside the venue, graduates should find their seats before connecting with friends and faculty.

Graduate Attire

  • Please arrive wearing academic regalia.
  • Commencement is a formal, dignified event, so wear your best underneath your academic regalia.
  • Avoid wearing shoes that are difficult to walk in or can cause you to trip and fall.

Ceremony information

  • For safety reasons, graduates are to remain seated for the duration of the ceremony. Aisles are to be kept open at all times.
  • Staff will lead you to the stage when it is time. Please stay in line, in the order you were seated.
  • All graduates will proceed up a ADA-compliant ramp leading to the stage.
  • As your name is read, please cross the stage.
  • Doctoral candidates will be hooded by a college representative. 
  • You will receive a diploma tube, President Noland will shake your hand, then please make your way off the stage.
  • Staff will direct you to stand for a formal photograph and then return to your seat.

Graduate Exit

  • Commencement closes with a recessional. Please remain in your place until after the recessional is completed.
  • Following the ceremony, you will receive an exclusive Commencement Buc Badge. These will only be distributed after the ceremony is completed.
  • Graduates and faculty can remain on the floor after the ceremony to say farewell and take pictures together.
  • Make sure to plan a spot outdoors to meet your family following the ceremony.

Doctoral Candidate Instructions

  • As you approach the stage, please carry your hood draped over your right forearm.
  • Once on the stage, your hooder will take the hood from you. Stand in front of your hooder and face the audience.
  • The hooder will open the hood and place it over your head where it will come to rest at your collar, draping the length of the hood down your back. (Depending on your height, you may need to stoop slightly.) Smile and enjoy the moment.
  • You will turn to face your hooder and thank them. This is a special moment to acknowledge the mentoring relationship you have shared with your hooder.
  • You will proceed across the stage to receive your diploma tube, shake hands with the President and go down the ramp at the opposite side from which you approached.
  • Staff will direct you to stand for a formal photograph and then return to your seat.
  • Commencement closes with a recessional. Please remain in your place until after the recessional is completed.
  • Make sure to plan a spot outdoors to meet your family following the ceremony.

Faculty

Faculty are encouraged to attend commencement and celebrate with their students. There is no need to RSVP. Below are detailed instructions for the day.

Faculty Entry

  • Please arrive wearing your regalia and plan to arrive at least 30 minutes prior to the ceremony start time.
  • Faculty should enter on the west side of the Mini-dome through the doors on the ground level facing the parking garage. There will be a sign above the door marked “Faculty.”
  • The university’s clear-bag policy will be enforced. Metal detectors will be in place and guests will be screened on entry.
  • Please bring as little as possible inside the venue. This will speed up the entry procedure and reduce the chances of lines.

Faculty Procession

  • Please report to Gordon Ball basketball court, room W101, at least 15 minutes prior to ceremony start time.
  • Faculty will line up by college in the hallway 10 minutes prior to ceremony start time.
  • The procession will enter the field through the Southwest doors and process down the first aisle to the faculty seating area. Banner carriers will continue to the stage to post the banners. Staff will direct those hooding to a special reserved seating area. All other faculty will be seated by college. Staff will be on hand to give the cue for when to enter and where to go.
  • Please be sure to turn off your cell phone before the ceremony begins.

 Hooding

  • Faculty who are hooding should check in with the hooding coordinator upon arrival to the Gordon Ball basketball court.
  • At the appropriate time during the ceremony those hooding will be prompted to line up and will be guided by staff to the stage entrance. They will go up the graduate entrance ramp and stand on the designated spot on stage. Graduates will take turns to be hooded. Faculty will hood each of their respective graduates, then exit the stage, and return to their seats.

 Faculty Exit

  • At the close of the ceremony, the platform party will process back through the central aisle. We request that all faculty and students stay through the end of the ceremony until after the platform party recesses.
  • Enjoy time celebrating with graduates. 

Commencement Hooding Instructions

Parking

  • Guests can park at any of the campus parking garages or parking lots adjacent to the mini-dome.
  • Parking is also provided on levels 3-6 of The James and Nellie Brinkley Center Parking Garage. There is a pedestrian bridge leading from the James and Nellie Brinkley Center to the entrance of the mini-dome.
  • For more information about accessible parking locations, please go to the ETSU accessibility map.

Parking and Drop-off Map

 

Disability Services

There is limited disability-accessible guest seating on the gym floor. This area is available on a first come, first serve basis. Only one person in each party will be allowed to sit with the guest requiring accommodations. Other guests will be directed to sit in the stands.

A portion of the ETSU Parking Garage will be designated for disability parking. Proper credentials are needed to access this area. There is also a drop-off area at the intersection of State of Franklin Road and Harris Drive.

Please click here for a Parking and Drop-off Map.

ASL sign language interpreters will be present for each ceremony and closed captioning will be featured on screens. Students will cross an ADA-compliant ramp to reach the stage. Graduating students who need accommodations during the ceremony should contact disabilityservices@etsu.edu.

Etiquette, Protocols, & Security

By tradition, the ETSU Commencement Ceremony is a formal, dignified event to honor the achievements of graduating students. To help preserve the decorum of the event, it is requested that guests and graduates exercise etiquette appropriate to the occasion. We ask that you please observe the following:

  • Be on time: Please plan to arrive on campus one hour before the ceremony starts. This will give you enough time to park and walk to the ceremony venue.
  • Cell phones should be turned off or operated in silent mode during the ceremony. Do not speak on a cell phone or carry on a conversation during the ceremony as this prevents others from hearing and enjoying the ceremony.
  • Be respectful: Commencement is both a joyous and solemn event. Please express your excitement in ways that will not prevent others from hearing the speaker, seeing the stage, and enjoying the ceremony.
  • Remain through the full ceremony: As a courtesy to all graduates and families, everyone is requested to remain until the conclusion of the ceremony.

Public Safety

For safety reasons, guests and graduates are to remain seated for the duration of the ceremony. Aisles and passageways are to be kept open at all times. Only graduates, faculty and commencement personnel will be permitted in graduate areas.

Security

The university’s clear-bag policy will be enforced. Metal detectors will be in place and guests will be screened on entry. There is no need to empty pockets before passing through the metal detectors.

Allowed:

  • Guests will be allowed to enter the stadium with one clear plastic bag.
  • Small clutch purses no larger than 4.5 inches by 6.5 inches (approximately the size of a hand). May include handle or strap.
  • Mobile phones, binoculars and cameras
  • Diapers and necessary items for babies and young children
  • Medically necessary items that must be carried in a specific bag. The bag can be non-clear and will need to be sized proportionately to the size of the medical items.
  • Umbrella strollers
  • A clear sealed plastic bottle of water. Concession stands will not be open.

Prohibited Items:

  • Glass
  • Balloons, confetti and silly string
  • Non-clear bags of any size, except as listed for medically necessary items
  • Alcoholic beverages
  • Tobacco products
  • Outside food, snacks, beverages
  • Open umbrellas
  • Selfie sticks
  • Unmanned aircraft or drones
  • Wrapped parcels or presents
  • Weapons, including pocket knives
  • Skate boards, hover boards or Segways
  • Artificial noisemakers
  • Large strollers
  • Posters and signage
  • Pets or animals of any kind, with exception of documented service animals. 

 

ETSU is a tobacco-free campus. Smoking/vaping is not allowed on the premises.

All bags and patrons subject to search. ETSU reserves the right to eject patrons for failure to adhere to policies and/or unruly and unlawful behavior. 

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