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Tech class of 2023 to celebrate commencement this Friday
Tennessee Tech University will celebrate its spring commencement ceremonies on Friday,
May 5, in the Hooper Eblen Center.
The morning ceremony, which starts at 9 a.m., will include the following colleges
and schools: graduate studies, business, engineering, fine arts and interdisciplinary
studies.
The afternoon ceremony, which starts at 1 p.m., will include the following colleges:
graduate studies, agriculture and human ecology, arts and sciences, education and
the Whitson-Hester School of Nursing.
More than 1,400 degrees are expected to be awarded to women and men who came to Tech
from 82 counties throughout Tennessee, 19 states and 18 other countries. Those earning
undergraduate degrees represent 51 fields of study, and those receiving graduate degrees
represent 33 fields of study.
The birth dates of students from the class of 2023 range from 1961 to 2003, evidence
that an education at Tech can be for everyone, regardless of age.
As noted by Tech President Phil Oldham last fall, “Tech’s graduation rates have hit
a new high, with the six-year rate hitting 60.2% for students who started in fall
2016. This bested last year’s record of 59.9% and demonstrates a continued dedication
to graduating students on time.”
Retired professor Holly Stretz will serve as the official macebearer for both ceremonies.
Stretz retired from the university’s department of chemical engineering this past
fall with 17 years of service to the university. During her time at Tech, Stretz was
promoted to serve as the interim chair of the department. She received her Bachelor’s
in chemistry from Texas A&M University and her Master’s in chemistry from Texas State
University. She received her Ph.D. in chemical engineering from the University of
Texas. Her research interests include process fouling and dynamics of natural organic
matter in water treatment; nanocomposite structure and modeling; extreme temperature
materials dynamic properties; fate and transformation of nanoparticles in the environment;
and responsive hydrogels for medical diagnostics and drug delivery.
The spring commencement ceremonies will also feature several pre-recorded addresses
from two graduating students, including remarks from Savannah Griffin, student member
of the Tennessee Tech Board of Trustees and Kester Nucum, the 2023 Derryberry Award
recipient, as well as remarks by Tech Women’s Head Basketball Coach Kim Rosamond.
Tech will also recognize six students who will be commissioned to serve in the armed
forces as second lieutenants: Taylor S. Cadenhead, Jake A. Huner, Justin T. Keith,
Hunter M. Storey, Evan A. Wasilewski and Myka C. Winningham. Cadenhead is also honored
as a distinguished military graduate.
To watch the livestream of the commencement ceremonies, visit tntech.edu/commencement.
Tennessee Tech is ranked as the number one public university in the state, according
to Money Magazine, as well as a “Best National University” by U.S. News & World Report.
The university offers more than 200 programs of study, and Tech grads leave with the
least debt of all public universities in the state. In fact, based on total cost and
alumni earnings, Tech provides students with the highest return on investment for
any public university in Tennessee, according to PayScale. Find out more at tntech.edu.
