Roane State Community College will be having Commencement celebrations in two different formats: Outdoor in-person and Virtual.
The Virtual Ceremony will be a pre-recorded celebration featuring President Whaley, a student speaker and congratulatory messages from some of your favorite Roane State professors and staff. Each graduating student's name will appear in the virtual ceremony that will be released the evening of May 7, 2021.
In-person Commencement Ceremonies will be held outdoors on the Roane County (Harriman) campus on Friday, May 7, and Saturday, May 8, 2021, for those who wish to participate. Graduates and their guests will drive up to a drop-off point for the graduate, who will then exit the vehicle and continue on to the stage to receive their diploma before rejoining their guests.
Graduates will receive an email with a link to sign up for the time they will attend. Students, please check your RaiderNet email at least weekly for emails from the graduation office.
If you cannot attend the designated time for your discipline or degree, you may pick any of the available times.
2:00-4:00 PM (ET) - Nursing and Health Science Certificate Graduates
Advanced Emergency Medical Technician, Advanced Pharmacy Technology, Emergency Medical Technician, Massage Therapy, Medical Coding, Nursing, Paramedic, Polysomnography.
5:00-7:00 PM (ET) - Health Sciences Graduates
Dental Hygiene, Health Information Management, Health Sciences, Medical Informatics, Occupational Therapy Assistant, Physical Therapist Assistant, Radiologic Technology, Respiratory Therapy, Surgical Technology, Vision Care Technology.
9:00-11:00 AM (ET) - AAS Program and Non-Health Certificates, Middle College
Business, Chemical Engineering Technology, Computer Information Technology, Contemporary Management, Criminal Justice, Early Childhood Education, Environmental Health Technology, Financial Services, General Technology, Geographic Information Systems Technology, Mechatronics Technology, Paralegal Studies.
12:00-2:00 PM (ET) Transfer Program Graduates
Associate of Arts, Associate of Science, Associate of Fine Arts, Associate of Science in Teaching.
With the new in-person commencement plan, guests are still welcome to attend with the graduate as long as all guests remain inside their vehicle. There will be marked areas in the parking lots for waiting on other graduates or family members to arrive so that you and your family can travel through the line together.
All guidelines and restrictions will comply with CDC and state governing guidelines and restrictions in place at the time of the ceremonies.
The wellness screening is a questionnaire designed to determine if a person is at risk of spreading COVID-19. It can be completed online the day of arrival on campus or on paper prior to the ceremony. Paper copies will be available at the check-in station. The screening questions cover things like possible symptoms and exposures to COVID-19. In-person temperature checks will not be part of the screening process. If a graduate fails the initial screening for any reason, they will go through a secondary screening process to determine if they can be granted access.
Grad Images is the official photographer for the event. A professional picture will be taken as graduates receive their diploma and then a second still picture will be taken with a formal backdrop. Proofs will be available online a few days after the event.
Vehicles will then be directed toward the exit immediately after the graduate receives their diploma cover and additional items. The college will have two designated photo areas at the end of the drive-through area for graduates to take pictures with family members or classmates.
For 2021, caps and gowns can be ordered online through the RSCC Bookstore website beginning April 17, 2021. There is no additional charge for the cap and gown and they are yours to keep. Your height and weight is all you need to know to order your cap and gown.
For those of who have achieved academic honors (3.5 GPA or higher as of the Fall 2020 semester) you may purchase a gold honors tassel for an additional fee. The bookstore has a listing of students eligible for the gold honors tassel. Gold honors tassels may only be purchased online at this time.
There will be a delivery fee of $7.50 for shipped orders, or graduates can pick up their cap and gown free of charge in the bookstore during normal business hours.
Please see the main Graduation page for more about picking up your diploma.
Participation in the commencement ceremony does not mean you have graduated from Roane State! Final grades and final evaluations need to be completed prior to the granting of the degree/certificate. All course substitutions, final grades, exit exam (if applicable) and other college obligations must be completed by the end of your graduating term or the posting of your degree will be extended to future terms.
Amy Keeling • (865) 354-3000 ext. 4257 • Click name for email address
Roane State Community College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, ethnicity or national origin, sex, disability, age, status as protected veteran or any other class protected by Federal or State laws and regulation and by Tennessee board of Regents policies with respect to employment, programs, and activities. View full non-discrimination policy.
