ETSU Spring 2021 Commencement Schedule

After holding both spring and fall commencement ceremonies virtually in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, East Tennessee State University is pleased to host ceremonies on campus for its expected 2,091 spring 2021 graduates, as well as graduates from both spring and fall 2020.

For the health and well-being of those who will gather for the celebration, the university will host several ceremonies over the course of four days instead of the traditional two Saturday ceremonies. To support a safe environment for graduates, guests and all participants during these events, a number of protocols will be in place.

Ceremony programs and livestreams are available at etsu.edu/classof2021/. 

COVID-19 Safety Protocols

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  Face coverings will be required at all times for graduates, guests and staff while inside the Ballad Health Athletic Center (Mini Dome). 
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  Attendance is limited, and each graduate will receive four tickets for guests. 
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  All graduate and guest seating will be assigned by section and physically distanced.
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  The graduate experience with check-in and crossing the stage will be contactless.
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  Enhanced cleaning protocols will be in place.
  
  

Commencement Activities

Unless otherwise noted, the following activities will be held in the ETSU Ballad Health Athletic Center (Mini Dome) on the main campus.

Thursday, May 6

• 10 a.m. Bill Gatton College of Pharmacy Hooding and Commencement
• 2 p.m. Quillen College of Medicine Hooding and Commencement, with guest speaker Dr. James Ellzy, Class of 1996
  
  

Friday, May 7

• 10 a.m. Class of 2020 Commencement, with guest speaker Aamir Shaikh, 2019-20 Student Government Association president
• 1 p.m. ROTC Commissioning Ceremony, with guest speaker Maj. Gen. (Ret.) Leslie Purser. During this ceremony held at the Martin Center for the Arts, 12 ETSU graduates will take the oath of office as second lieutenants in the U.S. Army, marking the culmination of their ROTC leadership training.
• 3 p.m. Class of 2021 Commencement – College of Arts and Sciences, with guest speaker Dr. Brooks Pond, winner of ETSU’s Distinguished Faculty Award in Teaching
• 7 p.m. College of Nursing Convocation – A time-honored tradition, the convocation is the symbolic welcoming of newly graduated nurses into the nursing profession or to advanced practice specialties
• 7 p.m. Multicultural/Lavender Graduation Celebration – This special celebration recognizing and honoring the achievements and diverse identities/ethnicities of graduating seniors from the spring, summer and fall of 2020 and spring 2021 will be held in the Martha Street Culp Auditorium on the lower level of the D.P. Culp Student Center, hosted by the Mary V. Jordan Multicultural Center and Patricia Robertson Pride Center. (Streaming will be offered via Zoom; email etsumc@etsu.edu for registration.)

Saturday, May 8

• 10 a.m. Class of 2021 Commencement – Clemmer College and College of Public Health, with guest speaker Dr. Lisa Piercey, Tennessee Commissioner of Health
• 3 p.m. Class of 2021 Commencement – College of Clinical and Rehabilitative Health Sciences and College of Nursing, with guest speaker Beth Bass, U.S. director of Women’s Sport Marketing, adidas
  
  

Sunday, May 9

• 1 p.m. Class of 2021 Commencement – College of Business and Technology, Cross-Disciplinary Studies, Pharmacy Studies, and Global Sport Leadership, with guest speaker Dr. Wilsie Bishop, provost and senior vice president for academics