The University of Tennessee announced an estimated economic impact of $9.094 billion across the state for fiscal year 2017. The study includes UT and its campuses located in Knoxville, Chattanooga and Martin, as well as the Health Science Center in Memphis, the Space Institute in Tullahoma and the statewide Institute of Agriculture and Institute for Public Service.
The economic impact was calculated using payroll spending and fringe benefits, nonpayroll spending, jobs created through system-related spending and tax revenues.
“Everywhere you look, UT is making a sizeable impact in the communities it serves,” UT Interim President Randy Boyd says.
Boyd Announces UT Promise
UT Interim President Randy Boyd announced the creation of “UT Promise,” a financial aid program that will provide free tuition to qualifying Tennessee residents enrolling at UT campuses located in Knoxville, Chattanooga and Martin beginning in the fall of 2020.
The announcement was made at the annual State of UT Address in March.
“It is critically important that we take a lead role in ensuring students can achieve their dream of obtaining an undergraduate college degree,” Boyd says.
UT Promise is a last-dollar scholarship program that will guarantee free tuition and fees for students with a family household income of under $50,000 after other financial aid is applied.
Tennessee Alumnus Receives Special Merit Award
The Tennessee Alumnus received the Special Merit Award from the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) District III in February for its Winter 2018 and Fall 2018 issues.
“Thank you to our alumni, faculty and students who let us tell their stories and, thus, the story of the University of Tennessee and its impact in Tennessee and around the world,” Tennessee Alumnus Managing Editor Jennifer Sicking says.
CASE District III supports educational and professional institutions across the southeastern United States and works to help the institutions effectively communicate with alumni, students and other constituents.
The award is for general magazines from institutions with more than 15,000 students.
New Leader at Cherokee Farm
Tom Rogers, former director of industrial partnerships and economic development at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), was named president and CEO of the Cherokee Farm Development Corporation.
The corporation oversees development of the UT Research Park at Cherokee Farm, which offers tenants collaborative research opportunities with UT and ORNL.
