The largest graduating class in the history of East Tennessee State University commenced Saturday, May 6.
Roughly 1,300 students completed the legendary walk across the commencement stage in ETSU’s Mini-Dome to receive their respective degrees. Girls with R-shirts reading “Kiss College Goodbye” could be seen wandering the crowded confines of the Mini-Dome as mothers with cameras uttered urgent comments like: “Elliot’s not looking at me!”
Esteem was plentiful among the graduates with 92 cum laude, 102 magna cum laude and 58 summa cum laude degrees being awarded. Yet the stress of finals and graduation was not over for all.
“God Almighty!” proclaimed one hopeful graduate. “I don’t know yet – they don’t post grades until Monday.”
“It’s been a long time coming,” said graduate Matthew Waldron.
At least one degree awarded was based on achievement beyond mere academic performance. The Tennessee Board of Regents granted ETSU in 2004 the privilege of awarding honorary degrees to individuals so chosen, and Dr. Ernest McKinney became the fourth recipient of an honorary degree from the university. McKinney earned recognition for his struggle against segregation and racism after growing up in nearby Jonesborough, Tenn.
Also celebrated were the retirements of Associate Registrar Theodore Garth “Ted” Mowery and Assistant Registrar for Graduation Susan P. Burkey, who retires in June. Mowery participated in his 97th and last commencement ceremony after 38 years of affiliation with ETSU. Following close on Mowery’s heels, Burkey completed her 85th commencement after 33 years with the university.
Hordes of students basking in “all the rights and privileges pertaining there unto” of their new and respective degrees burst out of the Mini-Dome. “It was excellent,” said graduate Katie Flanary, “and I wouldn’t trade it for anything else in the world.”
Some grumbling, however, could be heard among the crowd of spectators and graduates due to the premature departure of a large portion of the crowd.
“It was a little disheartening to see everybody leaving,” Waldron said.
“We were just wondering why the graduate students didn’t go first,” said one spectator. “It would be nice if everybody could have stayed.”
The majority of graduates and spectators, however, were all smiles as the largest graduating class in the history of ETSU filed off.