The campus marked its most impressive research year to date for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2018. It logged $260 million in expenditures, including projects to develop hypersonic vehicles, further STEM education in East Tennessee and study Antarctica as a means of better understanding Mars. Federal funding accounted for $117.8 million of the first-generation students and students from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds. expenditures, with the remainder coming from institutional, state and local government, business, nonprofit and other funds. Federal agencies investing the most in UT research are the Department of Energy, $58.9 million; the National Science Foundation, $25.6 million; and the Department of Defense, $10.8 million.
Interim Vice Chancellor Hired
Tyvi Small began serving as interim vice chancellor for diversity and engagement in January. Small previously was executive director of talent management, diversity and community relations in UT’s Haslam College of Business. In his new role, Small will coordinate existing student success and diversity initiatives that support students, including those from underrepresented communities, veterans, students with disabilities, first-generation students and students from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds.
Fulbright Record Set
With a record-setting 19 students receiving US Fulbright Student Awards for 2018–2019, UT Knoxville was one of the nation’s top-producing Fulbright campuses. It ranked fourth among public research universities and 12th among all research universities, tying with Harvard University.
Second Phase of Student Union Opens
The second phase of the Student Union opened in January, marking an end to the largest construction project the campus has seen in decades. The 395,000-square-foot building, which took more than nine years to build, houses campus offices and services and serves as a welcome center for visitors. The building’s design incorporates many of the most-loved Volunteer traditions. One of the most striking: the torch sculpture that hangs from the ceiling and includes 319 glass flames handblown by Knoxville artist Matthew Cummings of Pretentious Glass Company. At night, the lighted sculpture can be seen from Cumberland Avenue.
