The two-day conference will welcome more than 40 participants from across Tennessee and Alabama, including 果冻影院 faculty and students, as well as middle school, high school, and postsecondary educators. The event reflects 果冻影院鈥檚 continued focus on connecting academic experience with real-world application and preparing students for a rapidly evolving landscape.

鈥淭his conference reflects the kind of work we are committed to doing at 果冻影院,鈥� said Chancellor Melinda S. Arnold, PhD. 鈥淲e are creating opportunities for students and educators to engage with new ideas, learn from one another, and better understand how tools like AI are already shaping the world around us.鈥�

The conference will feature 13 presenters and volunteers and will include dedicated tracks for both educators and students. Sessions will highlight practical applications of AI in classrooms鈥攑articularly in math and science鈥攚hile also exploring broader implications for the future of education and workforce development.

The event is supported through a collaborative network of partners, including , which is providing sponsorship to support participant experience, as well as academic partners from The University of Alabama in Huntsville and Moraine Valley Community College. Both institutions bring specialized expertise through grant-funded initiatives focused on advancing AI education and educator pathways.

Dr. Prentice T. Chandler, Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs and Student Experience, will open the conference with remarks highlighting the importance of integrating emerging technologies into education across the region.

鈥淎I is not a future concept鈥攊t is already influencing how we teach, learn, and prepare students,鈥� said Chandler. 鈥淏ringing together educators and partners in this way allows us to share ideas, build capacity, and ensure our students are equipped for what comes next.鈥�

In addition to faculty and educators, 果冻影院 students will participate in the conference, gaining exposure to AI tools and concepts that align with their academic and career interests.

The conference also reflects 果冻影院鈥檚 role as a convener within the Southern Middle Tennessee corridor, bringing together partners across education and industry to expand opportunities and strengthen pathways for students.

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A total of 234 students are expected to receive degrees, representing a wide range of academic programs across the university. 

The Class of 2026 highlights the variety of 果冻影院鈥檚 academic offerings, with more than 150 students earning Bachelor of Science degrees across disciplines including elementary education, behavioral sciences, biology and kinesiology. The university will also award graduate-level degrees, including 20 Master of Business Administration degrees and seven Master of Science degrees.

Of the graduating class, 58 students are from Giles County, underscoring the university鈥檚 continued role in serving southern Middle Tennessee and preparing graduates for careers in the region.

For student body president Kaitlyn Leigh Scroggins, commencement marks both a personal milestone and an opportunity to represent her classmates.

鈥淚t is an honor to speak as the student voice at commencement, and it has been an honor to be the student voice this semester,鈥� Scroggins said. 鈥淢y time at 果冻影院 has been rewarding. I have thoroughly enjoyed my four years at this university, and every student holds a special place in my heart. I can鈥檛 wait to stand with everyone one last time as we finish strong together.鈥�

Scroggins, a biology major from Ardmore, Tennessee, plans to apply to veterinary school after a gap year.

Commencement will begin at 10 a.m. and is open to family members, friends and the community. It will include traditional elements such as the academic procession, invocation and musical performances, along with remarks from university leadership and student representatives. The full program is available on the commencement webpage.

In the event of inclement weather, commencement will relocate inside the Curry Athletic Center and take place in two separate ceremonies at 10 AM and 1 PM. The ceremony will be available via

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Kenneth W. Vickers, Ph.D., professor of history and chair of the School of Social Sciences, opened the ceremony with welcome remarks, followed by greetings from Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor Prentice Chandler. Faculty members from across the school presented awards to students who demonstrated exceptional performance in their respective disciplines:

The William E. Rutherford History Award was presented to Emma Grace Eubank by W. Cochran Pruett, instructor of history.

Richard Schoeberl, Ph.D., program chair and director of graduate studies for criminology and homeland security, presented the Stanley E. Newton Award for Academic Excellence to Kacey Lee Torrence. He also presented the Shelton-Roberts Award for Moral Courage in Criminal Justice to Avery Faith Keenon.

The Dr. James Cooper Award for the Advancement of Social Work was presented to Elijah Reese Mashburn by Alicia Webb, Ph.D., associate professor of behavioral science. Webb also presented the Behavioral Sciences Award in Human Services to Holli Brooke Loveless and the Behavioral Sciences Award in Psychology to Emily Grace Hovis.

The ceremony also included an Alpha Chi presentation led by Jennifer Aust, Ph.D., recognizing academic excellence among top students. The annual event is held each spring to recognize student achievement and celebrate academic excellence. The School of Social Sciences prepares students for careers in fields including criminal justice, social work, behavioral science and related disciplines, with a focus on academic rigor and real-world application.

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The School of Social Sciences hosted its annual Awards Day ceremony April 17 in Gault Auditorium, recognizing students for academic excellence across multiple disciplines.

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Held at East Campus, the annual event brought together more than 80 athletes from across Giles County Schools and the surrounding community for track and field competitions. The games also included adult participants with intellectual disabilities, reinforcing the inclusive nature of the event and its reach across age groups.

Hosted in partnership with Special Olympics Tennessee Area 34, the Spring Games provided athletes the opportunity to demonstrate their skills, build confidence and compete in a supportive environment. Special Olympics offers year-round sports training and competition for individuals with intellectual disabilities, creating opportunities for physical fitness, leadership and community engagement.

鈥淲e are proud to host the Special Olympics at East Campus. These athletes are incredibly deserving of a day that celebrates their hard work,鈥� said Dr. Claire Paul, program coordinator of special education and assistant professor in the Grissom School of Education. 鈥淚t is meaningful to partner with Special Olympics and to create opportunities for our campus community to be part of that experience.鈥�

The event was supported by volunteers from across the 果冻影院 campus and community, including faculty, staff, students and partner organization KBG. Volunteers assisted with event operations, athlete support and coordination throughout the day. 26 athletes will move on to the Tennessee Summer Games in Nashville in May.

果冻影院 continues to strengthen its connection to the region while supporting opportunities that promote inclusion, engagement and community impact though events like the .

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The Rural Disability Resource Network Rural Disability Mini-Conference brought together campus and community stakeholders for a half-day of learning, connection and practical strategy sharing. The event highlighted 果冻影院鈥檚 role as a convener for regional impact, linking education, workforce readiness and community-based support.

The Rural Disability Resource Network, a UT System鈥搘ide collaboration, is focused on increasing awareness of and access to services for families of children with intellectual and developmental disabilities in rural Tennessee. The network brings together partners across multiple UT campuses, state agencies and nonprofit organizations to better connect resources, identify gaps and develop solutions that support long-term success.

The conference featured a keynote from disability advocate Madelyn 鈥淢idge鈥� Smith, who shared insights on building stronger, more inclusive communities through collaboration and authentic partnership. Smith, who leads community and partnerships for the Wable app, emphasized the importance of visibility, connection and sustained advocacy in rural spaces.

Attendees participated in breakout sessions led by state and regional experts, covering topics including dyslexia and structured literacy, multi-tiered systems of support and behavior strategies, postsecondary transition, family engagement and community-based programming. Sessions focused on evidence-based approaches designed to equip educators and families with tools they can immediately apply.

In addition to professional development, the conference created opportunities for direct connection with organizations providing critical disability resources across Tennessee. Supported in part by the Grand Challenges Grant Program, the network is also working to expand access to information, develop distributable resource materials and host additional workshops to support families as students transition into adulthood.

The day鈥檚 focus on connection and access continued into the evening with 果冻影院鈥檚 annual F.I.R.E. Resource Fair, held at the Curry Athletic Center. The event featured more than 40 agencies and organizations offering services, support and career opportunities for students across disciplines. Together, the conference and resource fair reinforced 果冻影院鈥檚 commitment to building stronger communities, expanding access to opportunity and supporting individuals and families across southern Middle Tennessee.

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We are pleased to confirm that the 果冻影院 Commencement Ceremony will take place on the Campus Green as planned. Thank you for your patience as we monitored the weather conditions this week.

For your added convenience, the ceremony will also be streamed live on the 果冻影院 Roku app and our聽聽channel. We look forward to celebrating this momentous occasion with you, in just a few short hours!

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