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Commencement

*Financially supported by Student Activity Fees

Commencement Information

The Fall 2024 commencement ceremony will take place on Tuesday, December 17th at the Ballad Health Center for the Performing Arts (BHCPA) on Northeast State’s Blountville campus and will be divided into four ceremonies by academic division.

9:00 a.m. Behavioral & Social Sciences
11:00 a.m. Health Professions and Science
1:00 p.m. Humanities and Mathematics
3:00 p.m. Technologies

Commencement Program

The Fall 2024 Commencement Program will be available here prior to the ceremony.

Commencement Etiquette

Participating students must wear regalia (cap & gown, along with honors medallion/cords, if applicable). It is recommended that gentlemen wear dark dress pants or khakis and dress shirts. It is recommended that ladies wear dresses or blouses with skirts or dress pants. Wear comfortable but nice shoes. Graduates will be allowed to carry personal items such as cell phones, car keys and wallets as long as they are secured under regalia. Students are encouraged to leave personal items in their vehicles.

Commencement Timeline

A photographer will be present prior to each ceremony for students wishing to have individual cap and gown portraits. Please arrive at least one hour prior to your ceremony to ensure adequate time for your portrait to be made. Students who do not wish to have individual cap and gown portraits made should still arrive 30 minutes prior to their ceremony to allow adequate time to check in and begin lining up for the processional.

Parking

Download a parking map (PDF) at this link.

This map shows entrance for parking areas for guests, graduates, and accessible parking.

Accessibility Accommodations

FALL COMMENCEMENT:

ADA Parking: A portion of the NeSCC General parking lot #12, rows 7-10 will be designated for disability parking. Proper credentials are needed to access this area. Proper credentials include a DMV issued handicap placard.

ADA Seating: There is limited disability-accessible guest seating in the BHPCA. This area is available by reservation. To reserve seating please complete the online Disability-Accessible Seating and/or Parking Request. Only one person in each party will be allowed to sit with the guest requiring accommodations. Other guests will be directed to sit in the general seating.

ASL sign language interpreters will be present for each ceremony.

Graduating students who need accommodations for themselves during the ceremony should contact Accessibility@NortheastState.edu or call 423.279.7640.

Regalia

The processional and recessional of students and faculty dressed in academic regalia is a traditional part of these commencement exercises. This history of academic dress goes back to the medieval universities. In the 12th and 13th centuries, when universities were taking form, they were under the jurisdiction of the church. Those studying wore a habit or a cloak to which was attached a cowl or hood. This could be pulled up over the head or thrown back, according to weather conditions. Later, the gown served the dual purpose of providing warmth in the unheated halls as well as uniformity of dress.

Please Note: Students are required to wear their graduation cap, gown, and other graduation regalia. Students may pick up their cap and gown at Grad Kickoff or in the Office of Admissions and Records. Students will receive an email notification with the date regalia will be available for pick up.

Photography

PhotoGenius will be providing individual cap and gown portraits for any graduate prior to each ceremony. These will be taken on a background with studio lighting to provide a professional quality portrait. Please arrive at least one hour prior to your ceremony to ensure adequate time for your portrait to be made. Graduates will be able to view portraits at time of sitting and also at photogenius.org after graduation. You may purchase your individual cap and gown portraits at this time or online. If you would like a proof to be mailed to your home address, there will be a $5.00 sitting fee. Proofs and order forms will be mailed to each graduate's home address. If you have any questions, please call: 1.276.386.2547 or email werphotogenius@Gmail.com. Your online code will be sent to you via email 72 hours after the ceremony. If you do not receive your code, please contact photogenius at 1.276.386.2547 or email werphotogenius@Gmail.com.

Commencement FAQs

Do I have to attend the commencement ceremony?
While participation is not mandatory, we encourage all graduating students to attend.

How many guests can attend?
Our spring commencement ceremony takes place at the outdoor amphitheater on Northeast State’s Blountville campus. Our fall commencement ceremony takes place at the Ballad Health Center for the Performing Arts on Northeast State’s Blountville campus. There is no limit on how many guests each graduate can invite to attend. However, seating is limited in the Ballad Health Center for the Performing Arts. Should the auditorium reach capacity, classrooms in the Humanities building will be available for guests to view the live stream of the ceremonies.

Is there a rehearsal prior to the commencement ceremony?
No. Northeast State does not have a rehearsal. Please arrive early and you will receive instructions from staff when you check in.

How long will the commencement ceremony last?
The length of each ceremony is approximately 1 hour, but this will depend on the number of graduates participating.

Will I receive my diploma at the commencement ceremony?
Diplomas are not distributed at the commencement ceremony. Diplomas for fall, spring, and summer will be available for pick up in the Office of Admissions and Records approximately 4-6 weeks following each graduation semester. Email notifications will be sent to students with the date diplomas will be available.

Does my participation in the ceremony mean that I have been awarded a degree or certificate?
Attending the commencement ceremony in no way confirms official graduation. All program requirements must be completed before the credential can be placed on your transcript or diploma.

Archived Commencement Ceremonies

Fall 2023

Fall 2021

Spring 2021

Spring 2021 Commencement Program
Northeast State YouTube (ceremonies from live streaming)
7:30 p.m. Virtual Ceremony

Spring 2020

Spring 2019

Spring 2018

Spring 2017

Spring 2016

Careers

Contact

Local: 423.323.3191
Toll-Free: 800.836.7822

Address

2425 Highway 75
PO Box 246
Blountville, Tennessee
37617-0246

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Current Students

Northeast State Community College, a Tennessee Board of Regents institution, is an equal opportunity, affirmative action institution. For questions or concerns, please contact the Affirmative Action Officer.