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Graduation Information

Graduation

Commencement will be on May 3 at 5 P.M. and Saturday May 4 at 10 a.m. at Hardin Valley Campus Courtyard

Congratulations! 

Graduation is an exciting time. We look forward to celebrating with you at Commencement – which is held each May and December. Summer graduates will participate in the fall commencement in December.

To ensure that you are ready to graduate, there are necessary requirements you’ll need to complete in your final semester at Pellissippi State.

It’s important to frequently check myPellissippi and your campus email during your last semester for important information regarding graduation. You will receive updates and instructions, many of which have time-sensitive deadlines. It’s your responsibility to be aware of those deadlines and ensure you meet them.

Potential graduates are required to submit a graduation application in order to participate in Commencement.  Participation in Commencement is limited to degree seeking students.

If you need assistance, please call 865.539.7317 or 865.694.6723

Mark your calendars!

Spring 2024 Commencement will be held in person at the Hardin Valley Campus courtyard on Friday, May 3 at 5 p.m. and Saturday, May 4 at 10 a.m.

Arrival and Check-in

Registration will begin one hour before the ceremony is scheduled to begin.

Parking

Commencement Parking Map (PDF)

Open Parking

All Open Parking Lots are available for parking, and the O5, 08 and O9 lots are the parking areas designated for commencement parking.

Drop-offs

Drop-offs can be made by driving into the Visitor Lot, and you will need to speak to the uniformed official to gain access.  Many graduates find this helpful, as well as others with mobility challenges.

Accessible Parking

There is limited accessible parking also in the Visitor Lot, and it is first come first serve.  The Faculty Lot 2 (F2), beside the ERC has been designated for accessible parking, since it is a large lot.  A hangtag is not needed to park in the F2, but you will need to speak with the uniformed official controlling parking in the F2 to gain access.  There are other federally designated handicap parking spaces in several other lots on campus that will be uncontrolled and also first come first serve. Please see the map and look for the wheelchair symbol, as well as the highlighted F2 lot.

Guests and Live Streaming

The commencement ceremony will be live streamed on our Pellissippi State YouTube channel to allow family and friends unable to attend in person an opportunity to celebrate with our graduates.

To accommodate graduates and guests to the best of our ability with limited seating, each graduate may bring up to four guests. Guests must register in advance.

Any additional tickets will be available on a first-come, first-served basis five days before the ceremony begins.

Inclement Weather Plan

In case of inclement weather, the Commencement ceremonies will be relocated to:
Faith Promise Church
10740 Faith Promise Ln
Knoxville, TN 37931

If there’s uncertainty regarding the weather forecast, please check your Pellissippi email regularly for updated relocation details. The ceremonies will maintain their scheduled times: 5 p.m. on Friday and 10 a.m. on Saturday.

Prohibited Items

We ask for your assistance and compliance with the facility restrictions

  • No Outside food or beverages.
  • No Alcohol of any type.
  • Smoking of any kind is prohibited, including electronic cigarettes
  • Weapons of any type, including, but not limited to, firearms, including licensed concealed carry guns; knives; pepper spray; blades; tools; etc.
  • Fireworks.
  • Laser Pointers
  • Bullhorns & Air Horns
  • Glitter or Confetti of any kind
  • Animals, with the exception of service animals as defined by the American with Disabilities Act (ADA).
  • Hoverboards, or any Motorized vehicles or devices with the exception to use for ADA purposes.
  • Scooters, Bikes, skateboards, roller skates, power wheels, rollerblades, power wheels & sneakers with wheels.
  • Drones unless approved by the Event Management Staff upon arrival.

Should you arrive with any of the prohibited items you will be asked to return them to your car. There is not on-site storage for any prohibited item to collect after the ceremony. Refusal to comply with any of these prohibitions may result in removal from the venue for the duration of the ceremony.

Disability Accommodations and Requests

Graduates who are registered with the Disability Services office and need accommodations for the ceremony should reach out to their assigned coordinator as soon as possible.

Guests in need of accommodations should reach out in advance of the ceremony to accommodations@pstcc.edu or call 865-694-6411 for assistance.

Photos

Professional photos will be provided by GradImages and only be available at commencement. GradImages will not be available for photos after the ceremony. Please contact GradImages for photo delivery times and pricing.

Bouquets for Purchase

Bouquets will be available for purchase at the graduation ceremonies.

Timeline of Events

May 3

  • Commencement Ceremony 5 p.m. Hardin Valley Campus Courtyard

May 4

  • Commencement Ceremony 10 a.m. Hardin Valley Campus Courtyard

Frequently Asked Questions

As you plan your schedule for your final semester you need to meet with your advisor to ensure you are ready to graduate. Your advisor will review your degree audit and verify you have completed all the requirements necessary to earn your degree. Remember you can schedule advising appointments in myPellisiippi through Navigate.

Your advisor will provide you with a pin to apply for graduation and a password to use to schedule the exit exam. Please submit your graduation application when you register for classes prior to your final semester at Pellissippi State.

Apply for graduation in myPellissippi under “Student Self-Service”, select “More Options” and click “Student Records”, then “Apply to Graduate/Graduation Status”. The deadline to apply to graduate is typically four weeks prior to the semester graduation date. Please check with your advisor for more information.

The graduation application allows you to identify any honors society memberships you may have.

You will be notified through your Pellissippi State email account that your graduation application has been received. Following receipt of your graduation application, the Records office will notify you of any missing requirements or deficiencies. It is your responsibility to ensure all requirements are fulfilled prior to graduation. You should check your Pellissippi State email regularly for any updates.

Please verify your mailing address is current prior to graduation through your myPellissippi account. If you need assistance updating your mailing address, please contact the records office at 865-694-6632 or records@pstcc.edu. 

All Tennessee community college graduates are required to complete an exit exam. When you meet with your advisor to apply to graduate, your advisor will help you register for the Exit Exam. You will also have the option to complete the exam remotely and will receive emails with the instructions.

The exam is not part of your grade and your score does not affect your ability to earn your degree. However, you must complete the exam to be eligible to graduate.

The exam tests your skills in college-level reading, writing, mathematics and critical thinking. The exam consists of 36 multiple-choice questions and takes about 45 minutes to complete.

The College Bookstore sells graduation announcements and other items such as diploma frames, memorabilia and gifts.

Graduates must wear a cap and gown to participate in the commencement ceremony. Our caps and gowns are black, and we encourage graduates to dress nicely to complement the gowns.

When the intent to graduate form is completed, you are added to the list of people who will graduate. This form includes height and weight so that the correct size of regalia can be ordered.

  • Caps and gowns will be available for sale on April 10 at the Graduation & Career Fair on the Hardin Valley campus
  • The cost is just under $42, including sales tax
  • Payment is due at pickup
  • If you cannot attend the fair, an email will be sent with instructions on purchasing a cap and gown or having it sent to a different campus bookstore

Participants in commencement who have a disability and require special accommodations should contact Disability Services at 865-539-7153 early in their last semester of college.

If a member of the audience has a disability and requires special accommodations, please ask an usher at the event for directions to special seating on the arena floor.

There is limited accessible parking also in the Visitor Lot, and it is first come first serve.  The Faculty Lot 2 (F2), beside the ERC has been designated for accessible parking, since it is a large lot.  A hangtag is not needed to park in the F2, but you will need to speak with the uniformed official controlling parking in the F2 to gain access.  There are other federally designated handicap parking spaces in several other lots on campus that will be uncontrolled and also first come first serve. Please see the map and look for the wheelchair symbol, as well as the highlighted F2 lot.

You will not receive your diploma during the commencement ceremony. Your diploma will be available for pick-up four – six weeks after graduation each semester. You will be notified when your diploma is ready for pick-up and a postcard will be mailed to the address on file. You will also be notified through your Pellissippi State email address so be sure to check it frequently. If you have an address change please contact the records office at records@pstcc.edu or call 865-694-6632.

Please verify your mailing address is current prior to graduation through your myPellissippi account. If you need assistance updating your mailing address, please contact the records office at 865-694-6632 or records@pstcc.edu