University of Tennessee commencement ceremony

The graduates celebrate at the end of the ceremony during the University of Tennessee winter Commencement ceremony at Thompson-Boling Assembly Center and Arena in Knoxville Friday, Dec. 14, 2018.

Retail and consumer science graduate Hope Lay takes her seat during the University of Tennessee winter Commencement ceremony at Thompson-Boling Assembly Center and Arena in Knoxville Friday, Dec. 14, 2018.

Some graduates decorated their caps to celebrate the final days at UT during the University of Tennessee winter Commencement ceremony at Thompson-Boling Assembly Center and Arena in Knoxville Friday, Dec. 14, 2018.

Graduates mingle before the ceremony begins during the University of Tennessee winter Commencement ceremony at Thompson-Boling Assembly Center and Arena in Knoxville Friday, Dec. 14, 2018.

The Color Guard emerges for the National Anthem during the University of Tennessee winter Commencement ceremony at Thompson-Boling Assembly Center and Arena in Knoxville Friday, Dec. 14, 2018.

A graduate listens to the Chancellor Wayne T. Davis speak during the University of Tennessee winter Commencement ceremony at Thompson-Boling Assembly Center and Arena in Knoxville Friday, Dec. 14, 2018.

Graduate Micah Abernathy waits his turn to be called to the stage during the University of Tennessee winter Commencement ceremony atThompson-Boling Assembly Center and Arena in Knoxville Friday, Dec. 14, 2018.

The Platform Party and College Representatives take the stage during the University of Tennessee winter Commencement ceremony at Thompson-Boling Assembly Center and Arena in Knoxville Friday, Dec. 14, 2018.

Chancellor Wayne T. Davis shakes hands with the graduates during the University of Tennessee winter Commencement ceremony at Thompson-Boling Assembly Center and Arena in Knoxville Friday, Dec. 14, 2018.

Family members cheer on their loved ones during the University of Tennessee winter Commencement ceremony at Thompson-Boling Assembly Center and Arena in Knoxville Friday, Dec. 14, 2018.

Gov. Bill Haslam, right, waits his turn to speak the University of Tennessee winter Commencement ceremony at Thompson-Boling Assembly Center and Arena in Knoxville Friday, Dec. 14, 2018.

Families of graduates cheer on their loved ones during the University of Tennessee winter Commencement ceremony at Thompson-Boling Assembly Center and Arena in Knoxville Friday, Dec. 14, 2018.

Alumni Susan Crunk speaks to the graduates during the University of Tennessee winter Commencement ceremony at Thompson-Boling Assembly Center and Arena in Knoxville Friday, Dec. 14, 2018.

A graduate waits his turn for his college to be called to the stage during the University of Tennessee winter Commencement ceremony at Thompson-Boling Assembly Center and Arena in Knoxville Friday, Dec. 14, 2018.

Gov. Bill Haslam speaks to the graduates during the University of Tennessee winter Commencement ceremony at Thompson-Boling Assembly Center and Arena in Knoxville Friday, Dec. 14, 2018.

College of Architecture and Design Katherine Ambroziak greets graduates as they are called to the stage during the University of Tennessee winter Commencement ceremony at Thompson-Boling Assembly Center and Arena in Knoxville Friday, Dec. 14, 2018.

Graduate Amaya Linsey is surprised by her brother Airman First Class Jerald Linsey Jr. during the University of Tennessee winter Commencement ceremony at Thompson-Boling Assembly Center and Arena in Knoxville Friday, Dec. 14, 2018.

Graduates smile before they are called to the stage during the University of Tennessee winter Commencement ceremony at Thompson-Boling Assembly Center and Arena in Knoxville Friday, Dec. 14, 2018.

during the University of Tennessee winter Commencement ceremony at Thompson-Boling Assembly Center and Arena in Knoxville Friday, Dec. 14, 2018.

Imani Beauford looks into the crowd before her name is called during the University of Tennessee winter Commencement ceremony at Thompson-Boling Assembly Center and Arena in Knoxville Friday, Dec. 14, 2018.

A graduate exits the stage during the University of Tennessee winter Commencement ceremony at Thompson-Boling Assembly Center and Arena in Knoxville Friday, Dec. 14, 2018.

Graduate Kyle Ingram sings "Rocky Top" with his classmates during the University of Tennessee winter Commencement ceremony at Thompson-Boling Assembly Center and Arena in Knoxville Friday, Dec. 14, 2018.

during the University of Tennessee winter Commencement ceremony at Thompson-Boling Assembly Center and Arena in Knoxville Friday, Dec. 14, 2018.

A graduate exits the stage during the University of Tennessee winter Commencement ceremony at Thompson-Boling Assembly Center and Arena in Knoxville Friday, Dec. 14, 2018.

Tala Shatara celebrates receiving her bachlor of science and communication degree during the University of Tennessee winter Commencement ceremony at Thompson-Boling Assembly Center and Arena in Knoxville Friday, Dec. 14, 2018.

Graduates wait their turn to shake hands with the Chancellor during the University of Tennessee winter Commencement ceremony at Thompson-Boling Assembly Center and Arena in Knoxville Friday, Dec. 14, 2018.

An excited person in the crowd yells out to their loved one during the University of Tennessee winter Commencement ceremony at Thompson-Boling Assembly Center and Arena in Knoxville Friday, Dec. 14, 2018.

Adly Shahat takes a photo as his son Kirolos Adly graduates during the University of Tennessee winter Commencement ceremony at Thompson-Boling Assembly Center and Arena in Knoxville Friday, Dec. 14, 2018.

Commissions in the United States Armed Forces are honored during the University of Tennessee winter Commencement ceremony at Thompson-Boling Assembly Center and Arena in Knoxville Friday, Dec. 14 2018.

For video front only

Amaya Linsey adjusts her tassel during University of Tennessee's graduation in Thompson-Boling Arena Friday, Dec. 14, 2018. Her brother, Airman Jerald Linsey Jr., whom she had not seen in a year, surprised her after she crossed the stage to receive her diploma.

A video is shown of student Paul Whited (at center), surrounded by family during University of Tennessee's graduation Friday, Dec. 14, 2018. Whited is currently undergoing chemotherapy at University of Tennessee Medical Center.

Amy Schiller receives a posthumous degree for her son Joseph "Tanner" Wray in Thompson-Boling at University of Tennessee's graduation Friday, Dec. 14, 2018. Wray died in February during a charity boxing match.

Airman Jerald Linsey Jr. stands in Thompson-Boling arena after surprising his sister Amaya Linsey when she received her diploma Friday, Dec. 14, 2018. The two had not seen each other in a year.

Amaya Linsey speaks to the media after University of Tennessee's graduation in Thompson-Boling Arena Friday, Dec. 14, 2018. Her brother, Airman Jerald Linsey Jr., whom she had not seen in a year, surprised her after she crossed the stage to receive her diploma.

Airman Jerald Linsey Jr. poses for a photo with his sister Amaya Linsey after University of Tennessee's graduation in Thompson-Boling Arena Friday, Dec. 14, 2018. Jerald, who had not seen his sister for a year, surprised Amaya after she crossed the stage to receive her diploma.