ETSU Commencement

Commencement Information

Congratulations to our December 2022 graduates!

Commencement will be held Saturday, December 10 in the Ballad Health Athletic Center (Mini Dome). Guest tickets will not be required for the ceremony, and there is no limit on the number of guests per graduate.

Livestreams will be available for those who cannot attend - Please note that only the names of those graduates present at each ceremony will be announced from the stage.

All your Commencement Information

Times & Live Streams

Saturday, December 10

10:00 a.m.  College of Arts & Sciences, College of Clinical & Rehabilitative Health Sciences, College of Graduate & Continuing Studies, Clemmer College


2:00 p.m. College of Business & Technology, Biomedical Sciences, College of Nursing, College of Pharmacy (Bachelor of Science), College of Public Health

 

Commencement will be held in the Ballad Health Athletic Center (Mini Dome). 
The Ballad Health Athletic Center is located on the ETSU Campus along State of Franklin Rd.

(Physical Address: 1081 John Robert Bell Dr, Johnson City, TN 37601)

*We will not be holding a graduation practice/rehearsal. 

For information about cap and gown, please visit: https://www.etsu.edu/reg/graduation/studentregalia.php. 

Island Photography typically sends picture proofs to the student’s email. If you have additional questions, please contact Island Photography directly. www.islandphoto.com 

Ceremony Info

 

  • Ceremonies will last approximately 2-1/2 hours.
  • Students will cross an ADA-compliant ramp as their name is called.
  • Doctoral and professional students will be hooded by a college representative. 
  • Students will pause at the exit ramp for a formal photo.
  • Graduates will return to their seats on the field after they cross the ramp.

Guest Entry

  • Doors will open for guest entry 60 minutes before the beginning of the ceremony.
  • Entrances will be on the East and West side of the Ballad Health Athletic Center (Mini Dome) for guests.
  • Please bring as little as possible inside the venue. This will speed up the entry procedure and reduce chances of lines.
  • The university’s clear-bag policy will be enforced. Metal detectors will be in place and guests will be screened on entry.
  • After entering the Ballad Health Athletic Center (Mini Dome), guests should proceed to the seating areas. 

Guest Exit

Guests are strongly encouraged to make a plan to meet their graduate in the parking garage or elsewhere after the ceremony.

The building must be clear 30 minutes after the ceremony ends to allow for cleaning.

 

Graduate Info

Graduate Entry 

  • Graduates should enter from the West side of the Ballad Health Athletic Center (Mini Dome) through the center doors on the ground level.
  • Doors will open for graduate entry 60 minutes before the ceremony start time.
  • Clear bag policy is in place. Please allow time to pass through security. For more information click on security tab above.
  • Coat rooms will not be available. Please leave non-essential items in vehicles.
  • Graduates will be directed to an assigned seat on the field. All seating is socially distanced.
  • Graduates will be asked to remain in their assigned seats unless they need to use the restroom.

Graduation

  • Staff will lead you to the stage when it is time. Please stay in line, in the order you were seated.
  • As you cross the stage, your name will be read.
  • The Dean of your college will hand you a diploma tube, President Noland will shake your hand, then make your way off the stage.
  • Stop where staff tell you to stand for a picture.

Graduate Exit


  • Graduates will return to their seat on the field after crossing the stage.
  • At the close of the ceremony, platform party will process through the crowd. Please remain in your seat until the platform party has left the room.
  • Make sure to plan a spot outdoors to meet your family following the ceremony.

Doctoral Candidate Instructions: 

  • Staff will lead you to the stage when it is time. Please stay in line, in the order you were seated.
  • As you approach the stage, please carry your hood draped over your right forearm.
  • Once on the stage, your hooder will take the hood from you. Stand in front of your hooder and face the audience.
  • The hooder will open the hood and place it over your head where it will come to rest at your collar, draping the length of the hood down your back. (Depending on your height, you may need to stoop slightly.) Smile and enjoy the moment.
  • You will turn to face your hooder and thank them. This is a special moment to acknowledge the mentoring relationship you have shared with your hooder.
  • You will proceed across the stage to your Dean who will present you with your diploma tube. You will then shake hands with the President and go down the stairs at the opposite side from which you approached.
  • Stop where staff tell you to stand for a picture. You may remove your face covering for your picture, if you would like.
  • Please return to your seat for the rest of commencement.
  • At the close of the ceremony, platform party will process through the crowd. Please remain in your seat until the platform party has left the room.
  • Make sure to plan a spot outdoors to meet your family following the ceremony.

Security

Clear-Bag Policy: 

  • Guests will be allowed to enter the stadium with one clear plastic bag. 

Allowed:

  • Small clutch purses no larger than 4.5 inches by 6.5 inches (approximately the size of a hand). May include handle or strap.
  • Mobile phones
  • Binoculars, cameras, and video cameras (without cases)
  • Diapers and non-medically necessary items for babies and young children (must be carried in a clear bag)
  • Medically necessary items that must be carried in a specific bag. The bag can be non-clear and will need to be sized proportionately to the size of the medical items.
  • Umbrella strollers
  • A clear sealed plastic bottle of water. Concession stands will not be open.

Prohibited:

  • Non-clear bags of any size except as listed for medically necessary items
  • Drawstring bag
  • Fanny pack
  • Large purse mesh bag
  • Oversize tote bag
  • Pattern plastic bag
  • Tinted plastic bag
  • Diaper bags
  • Backpacks of any size
  • Alcoholic beverages
  • Tobacco products
  • Outside food, snacks, beverages
  • Open umbrellas
  • Selfie sticks
  • Unmanned aircraft
  • Parcels or presents
  • Weapons, including pocket knives
  • Hover boards
  • Segways
  • Artificial noisemakers
  • Large travel strollers
  • Posters and signage
  • Pets or animals of any kind, with exception of documented service animals. 

 

ETSU Campus and Buildings are tobacco-free facilities. No smoking/vaping is allowed in the Ballad Health Athletic Center Ballad Health Athletic Center (Mini Dome) or on premises. 

All bags and patrons subject to search. ETSU reserves the right to eject patrons for failure to adhere to policies and/or unruly and unlawful behavior. 

Health & Safety 

  • Face coverings are suggested for graduates, guests, and staff while inside the mini-dome. 
  • All graduate seating is assigned and physically distanced.

  • Enhanced cleaning protocols are in place:
    • During and in between ceremonies, all common spaces, including restrooms and touch points throughout the building, and all seating on the field will be cleaned.
    • All venue spaces and surfaces will be thoroughly cleaned following each ceremony.

Parking

  • Guests can park at any of the campus parking garages or parking lots adjacent to the mini-dome.
  • Parking is also provided on levels 3-6 of the Millennium Center Parking Garage. There is a pedestrian bridge leading from the Millennium Center to the entrance of the mini-dome. 

Parking and Drop-off Map

 

Disability Services

ADA Parking:  A portion of the ETSU Parking Garage will be designated for disability parking. Proper credentials are needed to access this area. There is a drop-off area at the intersection of State of Franklin and Harris Drive.

Parking and Drop-off Map

There is limited disability-accessible seating on the gym floor. Only one person in your group will be allowed to sit with the party member requiring accommodations and other guests will be directed to sit in the stands. This area of seating is on a first come, first serve basis. 

ASL sign language interpreters will be present for each ceremony and closed captioning will be featured on screens. 

Graduates needing special accommodations on the field should contact commencement@etsu.edu so we can connect you with the appropriate services.

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