KNOXVILLE — More than 240 students from the College of Engineering officially became graduates of the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, as about 2,000 parents, friends and relatives watched them walk across the stage inside Thompson-Boling Arena on May 12.
In his commencement address, Raja Jubran, founder and chief executive officer of Denark Construction Inc., offered five suggestions for a successful future: be a leader; stand up for what you believe in; make the right choices; take care of your family; and take care of your community and give back to it. Jubran also reminded graduates to thank everyone who helped them along the way — parents, community, alumni and faculty.
Jubran earned his civil engineering degree from UT Knoxville in 1981. He has led the management team of Denark, a general contracting and engineering company, since its incorporation in 1985. He is also a former member of the college’s Board of Advisers and the recipient of its 2004 Nathan W. Dougherty Award for outstanding achievements in engineering.
As its top students, the college recognized Zachary Dixon, an aerospace engineering major; Mark May, a chemical engineering major; and Timothy Wentz, a computer engineering major.
Daniel Smith was recognized as the winner of a Society of American Military Engineers Award. This Society Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) Award of Merit is a national award given to only 20 ROTC Air Force cadets in the nation by central military service board.
Lt. Col. Michael S. Angle, a professor of aerospace studies at UT Knoxville, officially commissioned seven graduates into the U.S. Air Force and the U.S. Army. Brittany Arnold, Andrew Jackson, Garrett Karnowski, Sharon King, Christopher Riley, Smith and Benjamin Yeager are now second lieutenants.
Wayne Davis, dean of engineering, led the ceremony’s academic procession which included associate deans, department heads and faculty representatives. Susan Martin, provost and senior vice chancellor, and Brad Fenwick, vice chancellor for research, also attended the ceremony.
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C O N T A C T :
Kim Cowart (865-974-0686, kcowart@utk.edu)