Commencement 2024

Commencement is a momentous occasion when we at Covenant join our graduates and their families and friends in celebrating the accomplishments of these last years, thanking God for His grace and provision, and looking ahead to His purposes in the lives of our graduates. At Covenant, we earnestly believe that the One "who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus."

Commencement will be held at the Chattanooga Convention Center in downtown Chattanooga. Below you will find information on our upcoming commencement exercises and related events. We look forward to families and friends joining us for this celebration!

Commencement Speaker

We are pleased to welcome our own Dr. William C. Davis as the speaker for our 69th annual commencement. Bill Davis (Ph.D., University of Notre Dame; M.A., Westminster Theological Seminary, California; B.A., Covenant College) is a professor of philosophy at Covenant College and an adjunct professor of systematic theology at Reformed Theological Seminary in Atlanta, Houston, and Washington, D.C. Bill has been teaching philosophy since 1992 and theology since 1999. 

Bill’s philosophical research has focused on the Ten Commandments, medical ethics, and the moral epistemology of the 18th century Scottish philosopher Thomas Reid. His most recent book is Departing in Peace: Biblical Decision-Making at the End of Life (Presbyterian & Reformed, 2017). He is also the author of Thomas Reid’s Ethics (Continuum, 2006), chapters in The Lord of the Rings and Philosophy (Open Court, 2003, “Choosing to Die: The Gift of Mortality in Middle-earth”), The Chronicles of Narnia and Philosophy (Open Court, 2005, “Extreme Makeover: Moral Development and the Encounter with Aslan”), and Reason for the Hope Within (Eerdmans, 1997, “Theistic Arguments”). In addition to his academic work, Bill has served for twenty-five years as a volunteer ethics consultant for the CHI Memorial Hospital (Chattanooga) Ethics Committee. Bill was awarded Alumni of the Year in 2002 and received the John W. Sanderson Award in 2022. Bill states, “receiving the Sanderson Award was the biggest surprise of my life. I could work at Covenant for another 20 years and still not deserve it.”

Bill has been married to Lynda for over 40 years, and they have four children (Jonathan, Amy, Rachel, and Mark) and one daughter-in-law (Winter, married to Jonathan). All are Covenant alums. When not playing the philosopher, Bill channels Sisyphus on the treadmill or elliptical machine. He redeems the time by reading historical fiction and listening to history podcasts, philosophy lectures, sermons, and sports talk radio.

Presidential Reception & Alumni Induction

Friday, May 3, 2024, 7:00-9:00 p.m.
Brock Lawn
Covenant College

Graduating seniors and their families are invited for fellowship and hors d'oeuvres. President Voyles' remarks will begin at 7:30. Graduating seniors will receive their graduation mugs and learn more about the Alumni Office. In the event of rain, the reception will be held in the Great Hall. Invitations to graduating seniors are forthcoming. Shuttle services will be available during this event.

Graduate School of Education Luncheon

Saturday, May 4, 2024, 11:30 am in Rooms 13 and 14 of the Chattanooga Convention Center

Graduate students and their families are invited to this luncheon with the graduate faculty. Invitations will be sent to graduates.

Covenant College's 69th Commencement

Saturday, May 4, 2024, 3:00 p.m.
Chattanooga Convention Center
1 Carter Street
Chattanooga, TN 37402
Tickets are not required to attend commencement.
 
Event Parking: There will be $8.00 parking available in the parking garage shared by the Convention Center and the Marriott Hotel. The entrance to the parking garage is off of Carter Street, between the hotel and convention center. The hotel address is 2 Carter Plaza, Chattanooga, TN 37402. There will also be pay-by-meter parking on the surrounding streets.  

Click here for hotel and bed & breakfast recommendations.  

Commencement will be livestreamed here.