Commencement Weekend

Services, Ceremonies and General Information

Graduation Rehearsal

The Class of 2024 will hold graduation rehearsal at 9:00 a.m. on Friday, May 3 in Humphreys Court. All graduates who are marching are asked to attend the graduation rehearsal. Instructions for marching will be reviewed. Inclement weather* tickets will be distributed during rehearsal, 3 tickets per student. A photo ID will be required to pick up tickets and they must be signed for.

Senior Brunch

Immediately following Graduation Rehearsal on Friday May 3 at 10:30 a.m., all graduating seniors are invited to Senior Brunch. This is a new event we hope will serve as a celebratory time to fellowship and enjoy a final meal with your class before the Commencement Ceremony. We encourage you all to attend and share in this event with your fellow seniors. An email with location and details will be sent in the coming weeks. If you have questions, please contact  Maddie Taylor via email.

Baccalaureate

Friday, May 3 at 4:00 p.m. Baccalaureate services will be held at the Clayton Center for the Arts, Ronald and Lynda Nutt Theatre. Graduating seniors, their family and friends, and the College’s faculty and staff are invited. Seniors, please plan to gather in the Harold and Jean Lambert Recital Hall beginning at 3:30pm. If you have questions, please contact  Maddie Taylor via email.

Commencement

Graduation exercises for the Class of 2024 will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 4th, on the lawn between Anderson Hall and Fayerweather Hall.  The Commencement speaker will be Theresa Pierno of the National Parks Conservation Association. Pierno will also be receiving an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters from the College.   

Members of the graduating Class of 2024 should arrive at Harold and Jean Lambert Recital Hall between 9:00 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. 

An overflow location in the Alumni Gym will be open even if the ceremony is held outside for those who wish to get out of the sun and heat.    

For questions concerning the Baccalaureate or Commencement ceremonies, please contact  Maddie Taylor via email.

Live Stream of Commencement & Baccalaureate

The Commencement and Baccalaureate ceremonies will be live-streamed and viewable through the College’s official social media channels and website, where a link will be easily accessible from the homepage. Questions regarding this service should be directed to Karen Eldridge via email or at 865-981-8207.

The broadcast will be archived on the MC website and Facebook within hours of the ceremony’s conclusion. The archived broadcast will be accessible for a time, but not forever.

General Info for Students and Families

Graduation Items

Cap and Gowns may be purchased at the campus bookstore starting March 27. Cap and Gowns can be purchased at the bookstore anytime between March 27 and May 3. The Jostens company will be on campus March 27-28 to collect orders for class rings and invitations. Stoles and Cords are distributed from your advisors and other campus leaders. 

Photography at Commencement

Professional Photos: PhotoPlay Studios will be taking photos of the graduating seniors at Commencement.  Photos available for purchase include shots of individual graduates receiving their diplomas from the president and a photo of the entire Class of 2023.  Pre-ordering is not necessary.  Proofs of the photos can be viewed online at www.photoplaystudios.com, and will be available for viewing by the afternoon of May 20th. PhotoPlay Studios offers several packages ranging in price up to to $29.95.  Questions about photography should be directed to the photographers by calling 865-546-0977.

Class Photo: Graduates are to assemble at 8:45 a.m. on May 4 in the Clayton Center for the Arts for the Class of 2024 photo.

StageClip Videos: The College’s Advancement Office is partnering again with StageClip to provide personalized video clips for graduates to share on social media. Seniors should watch their my.maryvillecollege.edu accounts for an email that will provide details and instructions.

Parking & Security

Parking: Your state-issued disability placard is required for special parking considerations.
Security: There will be heightened security for this event. In the case of any emergency, please alert security immediately at (865) 981-8112

Inclement Weather

In case of inclement weather, Commencement will be moved to the Ronald and Lynda Nutt Theatre inside the Clayton Center for the Arts. Seating will be by ticket only, 3 tickets per student (distributed during Graduation Rehearsal).  All other guests may view the ceremony in the Alumni Gym where it will be broadcast live in high definition on a large screen. The decision to move inside will be announced on the Maryville College website before 6:00 a.m. on May 4th. Seniors will be able to pick up tickets during graduation rehearsal on Friday, May 3rd (a photo ID will be required to pick up tickets and they must be signed for).

Accessibility

If you or a loved one has a disability and needs an accommodation to participate in one of these events, please let us know by completing the Accessibility Request Form

  • For example, you could let us know if a loved one uses a wheelchair and needs accessible seating, if they need a large print program in order to see your name on your big day, or if they need to sit close to the interpreters.

Once you complete the form, someone will be in touch to discuss how we can make these MC celebrations accessible to all the important people in your life.