Someone asked, “Well, with the coronavirus disrupting our campuses, making this the ‘greatest decade in the history of the University of Tennessee’ is going to be hard, isn’t it?”
While this is definitely an epic challenge for us, it is precisely why this will be the greatest decade. We will all rise up in the face of adversity, rally together and, ultimately, succeed. These are the times that will define our decade and define each of us forever. Greatness isn’t achieved when times are easy but when times are hard. It is always achieved by the greatness of a team, and we have a great team.
Our top priority is always to keep our students, faculty and staff safe and healthy, and we are determined to give our students the support they need to complete their classes and their degrees. From Memphis and Martin to Chattanooga and Knoxville and everywhere in between, our OneUT team has rallied together. As a result of this adversity, we will be stronger and more resilient in the future, as individuals and as a university system.
Also, I’d like to say how thankful I am to the UT Board of Trustees and to all those who have shared their confidence and support for me to continue as the 26th president of the University of Tennessee for up to five more years. It is an honor and a privilege to serve our great state, my alma mater and to serve with this great team. Together, we will make this the greatest decade in the history of the University of Tennessee.
Randy Boyd, Knoxville ’79
