News Summary
The University of Tennessee at Knoxville will host graduation ceremonies from May 15 to May 17, awarding around 6,200 degrees. Notable graduates include Kamah Karyeah in social work, Ariana Kerney in nursing, and Mark Jackson in nuclear engineering, each poised for impactful careers in high-demand fields. The ceremonies will coincide with local high school graduations, marking a significant transition for all graduates entering various professional sectors.
KNOXVILLE, TN – The University of Tennessee at Knoxville is set to hold graduation ceremonies from May 15 to May 17, 2025, awarding approximately 6,200 degrees to qualified graduates. This year’s graduating class includes many students entering high-demand career fields, notably in nursing and nuclear engineering.
Among the notable graduates this year are Kamah Karyeah, Ariana Kerney, and Mark Jackson. Karyeah, who was born in Liberia and raised in Clarksville, began her academic journey with plans to study psychology but shifted her focus to social work after learning about UT’s acclaimed program. She became an ambassador for the College of Social Work and completed over 500 hours of practical experience at Austin-East Magnet High School. Karyeah has also been accepted into the online Master of Science in Social Work program. Additionally, she completed the Air Force ROTC program and is set to work as a public affairs officer at Joint Base Langley-Eustis in Virginia, earning recognition as a Torchbearer for her academic excellence.
Ariana Kerney, hailing from Kingsport and a third-generation UT student, began her studies focused on nursing, developing a passion for patient advocacy during her clinical placements at UT Medical Center. After graduation, she will work as an ICU nurse in the Knoxville area and has further enriched her experience through a mission trip to Kenya and research in the college’s Honors Program.
Mark Jackson, from Medina, entered UT in 2020 and successfully completed his degree in nuclear engineering. He plans to work as an air battle manager stationed at Tyndall Air Force Base in Florida and credits his ROTC training for enhancing his leadership skills. Jackson also has connections at the Y-12 National Security Complex due to a UT research fellowship.
The University of Tennessee’s social work program is highly regarded, ranked 24th among public and private institutions by U.S. News and World Report. Additionally, the nuclear engineering graduate program is in the top five nationally, with the Tickle College of Engineering ranked 52nd.
The graduation ceremonies will coincide with the start of high school graduations in Knox County, which also begin on May 15, 2025. Knox County students will complete their classes for the school year the following week, with the last day of school occurring on May 22, 2025, which will be a half-day. There are designated rain days scheduled for May 19 and May 24, after which students will enjoy an 11-week summer break, returning to school on August 7, 2025.
This year’s commencement ceremonies will celebrate not only the academic achievements of the graduates but also their readiness to step into critical roles in their communities and professional fields. With increasing demand in sectors like healthcare and engineering, the graduates are poised to play vital roles in addressing workforce needs as they transition from academia to their careers.
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Additional Resources
- Knox News: Knoxville Graduation Ceremonies Photos
- Wikipedia: Graduation
- WATE: Knox County Schools 2025 Graduation Schedule
- Google Search: Knoxville Graduation 2025
- Knox News: UT Knoxville Degrees and Careers
- Google Scholar: University of Tennessee Knoxville
- Knox News: Knox County School Calendar
- Encyclopedia Britannica: School Calendar
- MSN: Knoxville Weather and Graduation
- Google News: Knoxville Weather
