Graduate and undergraduate commencement ceremonies marked the end of the  semester at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, to honor fall 2021 graduates. One of the vols own, motivational speaker Inky Johnson ('07, '09), returned to deliver the keynote address.

Both ceremonies were held in Thompson-Boling Arena, with proud graduates, families, friends, and mentors in attendance to celebrate their achievements. Johnson urged graduates to "leave everything they touch better than when they found it.” He also spoke about perseverance and determination.

“Life is a journey with ebbs and flows, ups and downs, successes and failures. You’ll experience them all,” said Johnson. “We had a game maxim when I was here at the University of Tennessee that still stands. And I want you to carry it forth with you on your journey: If the game or break of life goes against you, don’t let up. Put on more steam.”

Chancellor Donde Plowman thanked parents and relatives for their support of this year's scholars, and she congratulated graduates on their major accomplishments.

“The resilience, the flexibility, the creativity you have shown over the last two years has been nothing short of inspiring. When problems arose, you found ways to solve them. When you saw classmates and friends struggling, you stepped forward,” stated Plowman. “You showed your true Volunteer spirit through one of the most trying times in the history of our university—and the world.”

The university awarded 1,098 undergraduate degrees and 578 graduate degrees and certificates this fall. During the undergraduate ceremony, three ROTC Air Force cadets and two ROTC Army cadets were commissioned. After completing over 225 hours of community service, ten graduates were also awarded gold service medallions.

Johnson graduated from UT with a master's degree in sports psychology and now travels the world as a speaker and mentor to athletes and underprivileged youth. He is the host of the Serendipity with Inky Johnson podcast and the author of the inspirational book Inky Johnson: An Amazing Story of Faith and Perseverance, which was published in 2011.

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Inky Johnson’s Commencement Speech at the University of Tennessee: