Dr. Kenyatta Lovett, executive director for Complete Tennessee, will serve as keynote speaker during the University of Tennessee at Martin’s spring 2019 commencement ceremony, scheduled to begin at 11 a.m., May 4, in the Kathleen and Tom Elam Center.

Lovett is responsible for developing and implementing the programming necessary to support Tennessee’s vision to increase the number of state residents who hold postsecondary degrees by the year 2025. He also leads Complete Tennessee’s research initiatives to shape policies and practices regarding higher education statewide.

Before accepting his current position, Lovett served as assistant vice chancellor for the Tennessee Board of Regents, where he led statewide initiatives to enhance Tennessee’s community college system and helped to implement statewide higher education reforms, including the Complete Tennessee Act of 2010 and former Gov. Bill Haslam’s Drive to 55. The Tennessean also recognized Lovett as one of five key people in the launch of the Tennessee Promise scholarship program. His wife, Tracey, is also a UT Martin alumna.

More than 700 UT Martin students are eligible to graduate this semester, and each student attending the commencement ceremony has been issued six tickets for friends and family members. Spring commencement is a ticketed event, and tickets will be checked at the door. Those without tickets will be able to watch the ceremony live from the Skyhawk Fieldhouse or online at utm.edu/commencement.

Dr. Linda Martin, vice president for academic affairs and student success for the University of Tennessee System, will represent the UT System during the ceremony.

For more information, contact the UT Martin Office of University Relations at 731-881-7615.
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