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Tennessee Tech saw the graduation of over 1,300 seniors at its first outdoor commencement in Tucker Stadium.
Tech President Philip Oldham said he admires class of 2021 and its resiliency.
“When you were asked to adapt, you did. When you were told to be patient, you were. When you were told to finish strong, you have,” Oldham said. “When the pandemic changed your world–our world–you showed me with what you did. You showed me the strength of youth in action. Now today, we celebrate that.”
One special moment came when Tech honored a student who passed away last week.
Zachary Tyler Parsley Parsley was on track to graduate this weekend summa cum laude, but lost his life in a fatal car accident in Rutherford. Oldham said a few words in his honor.
“His professors say he was intelligent, soft-spoken, caring, bright, engaging, unassuming, and well-liked by all,” Oldham said.
His brother Nick accepted his posthumous degree on his behalf.
Oldham welcomed the graduating class to what he called an elite group of individuals: Tech alumni.
