The degree, a doctorate of humane and musical letters, was given at the commencement ceremony for the UT Knoxville College of Arts and Sciences. More than 12,000 were in attendance for the event. “Learning is all about taking chances, and rolling up your sleeves and working hard," Dolly told the attendees. “To learn more means to work more. Nobody ever makes it without hard work.” Dolly performed two songs for the graduates: the school’s unofficial fight song, “Rocky Top,” along with a special version of her hit, “Try.”