Tennessee Tech celebrated one of its largest Spring graduating classes in a decade during the commencement ceremony for the Class of 2026.
During his commencement speech, President Phil Oldham said the graduates from 85 counties, 33 states, and 22 different countries, represented the fearlessness and tenacity of the university.
“It’s said that adversity doesn’t create character, but it does reveal it. So graduates today, your character has been revealed clearly for its strength, tenacity and kindness,” Phil Oldham said.
As the prestige and reputation of the Tennessee Tech continues to ascend, so does the value of a value degree from the institution, Oldham said.
“In just a few minutes, you will have a degree from one of the best universities in the state of Tennessee and one of the top-ranked universities in the nation,” Oldham said. “And a university that gives you the highest average starting salary among public universities in the state of Tennessee.”
The ceremony featured video messages from guest speakers, including Stonecom Radio President and decorated sports broadcaster, Larry Stone. Stone said graduates should focus on their own choices as they enter the professional world, and encouraged the young academics to listen twice as much as they speak.
“As you get out into the business world, as you get out into your personal life, don’t worry about what other people are doing; focus on yourself,” Stone said. “Focus on the things that you control.”
Head Football Coach Bobby Wilder said students should remain positive and aggressive in their pursuit of excellence.
“Everything you want in life is on the other side of hard,” Wilder said. “What do I mean by that? For me, becoming the head coach at Tennessee Tech, this was really hard. There are only 130 of these jobs in the world. It’s hard if you want something, it’s just on the other side of hard.”
Student speaker Hannah Grace Boswell said the journey to graduation required students to adapt and grow through various challenges. Boswell said the support of the campus community played a vital role in the success of the class.
“Finding our wings didn’t mean everything went perfectly; it meant we kept going even when things were hard,” Boswell said. “It happened in the small moments, the late nights when we wanted to give up but didn’t, the early mornings when we had to show up anyway, the times we asked for help and we realized we weren’t alone.”
The university also recognized seven graduates who will receive commissions as second lieutenants in the United States Armed Forces next week. Oldham said the university proudly honors all student veterans for their service to the nation.
“Some of you are native to Cookeville and surrounding areas and many of you are now adopted residents here,” Oldham said. “Either way, this will always be your home.”
Oldham said the sense of community at the university does not go away and encouraged the new alumni to return to campus in the future.
“Candidates, I’m proud of you, of the tenacity and the creativity that you’ve shown during your undergraduate studies here,” Dean of the College of Business Thomas Payne said. “Many of you are launching your careers and some are joining our MBA or our Master’s of Accountancy programs. But wherever your journey takes you, all of you have proven your ability to conduct yourselves with honor in your profession.”
Oldham also said Tennessee Tech’s faculty is made up of distinguished educators who contribute to an environment where students flourish and gain the skills needed for success.
At the end of the ceremony, Golden Eagle graduates moved their tassels to the left side of their caps to signify the formal conferral of degrees.