By Chandra Harris-McCray
There’s a perk to following in your parents’ collegiate footsteps and attending UT. The newly created Legacy Scholarship by the UT Alumni Association celebrates the tradition of attending UT in succeeding generations.
The inaugural Legacy Scholarships have been awarded to 18 students at all UT System campuses (Chattanooga, Knoxville, Martin and the Health Science Center). Open to first-year students, in state or out of state, who are the child/stepchild or grandchild/step-grandchild of a degree-holding UT graduate, the scholarship requires a 3.0 high-school GPA as well as maintaining a 3.0 GPA in college.
“The notion of creating a legacy scholarship evolved from the strategic plan and the UTAA board’s desire to review and evaluate the scholarship program,” explains Kerry Witcher, UTAA assistant vice president. “From the creation of a task force and evaluating the scholarship program on all of the campuses, it was obvious that we needed to give merit to a legacy scholarship program and the traditions that are deeply valued and cared for by generations of UT alumni.”
The $1,000 scholarships are made possible by all campuses matching $2,000 provided by the UTAA for a total of $4,000 offered at Knoxville, Chattanooga and Martin. In an effort to be inclusive of the six colleges at the Health Science Center, Chancellor Steven J. Schwab increased the campus match, making the overall total $6,000.
The annual award “is another way to acknowledge and award our students,” explains Schwab, “particularly those who are continuing a tradition of excellence by enrolling at UTHSC like the generation before them.”
Since 1953, the scholarships funded by the UTAA have been a much-needed source of financial assistance to thousands of deserving students. To learn more about the scholarship, visit utaaconnect.com/scholarships.
UT Alumni Association Legacy Scholarship Recipients
Knoxville
Parker W. Darnall, Bells, Tenn.; Mother: Darla Tankersley Darnall (Knoxville ’85)
James McLean Long, Louisville, Ky.; Father: Craig McLean Long (Knoxville ’81)
Christian Taylor Whitaker, Franklin, Tenn.; Mother: Laura Leanne Whitaker (Knoxville ’88)
Mary Jennings Hardee, Brentwood, Tenn.; Mother: Marcy E. Shelton (Knoxville ’87, ’90)
Chattanooga
Kara Ligon, Knoxville, Tenn.; Mother: Julia Rotella (Knoxville ’90)
Lacey Hamby, Ooltewah, Tenn.; Mother: Beverly Hamby (Chattanooga ’01)
Samuel J. Williams, Chattanooga, Tenn.; Mother: Jennifer Williams (Chattanooga ’94, ’03)
Cassidy Campbell, Chattanooga, Tenn.; Father: Christopher Campbell (Chattanooga ’11)
Health Science Center
Laura Ellen Bosi, College of Nursing, Barlett, Tenn.; Mother: Judith Kay (Todd) Bosi (Health Science Center ’82)
Reed H. King, College of Dentistry, Kingsport, Tenn.; Mother: Melinda King (Knoxville, ’79, ’81); Father: Tom King (Knoxville ’79, Health Science Center ’83, ’85)
Erica Brooke Schlesinger, College of Pharmacy, Medina, Tenn.; Mother: Donna Schlesinger Robbins (Health Science Center ’86); Father: Reggie Dilliard (Health Science Center ’74)
Rachel Tidwell, College of Allied Health Sciences, Murfreesboro, Tenn.; Father: Tim Tidwell (Health Science Center ’86)
Michael Sidney Reich, College of Medicine, Rolling Hills, Calif.; Father: Gerald Reich (Health Science Center ’72)
Martin
Hannah Andrews, Franklin, Tenn.; Father: Victor Andrews (Martin ’81)
Georgia Brown, Martin, Tenn.; Parents: Laura and Brian Brown (Martin ’92)
Alyssa Counce, Caruthersville, Mo.; Father: Ben Counce (Martin ’79)
Carson Perry, Murfreesboro, Tenn.; Grandmother: Margaret Perry (Martin ’61)