Featured photo: From left, Wayne County Executive Jim Mangubat and Waynesboro City Manager John Hickman pose in front of one of the latest murals to decorate the state.
The UT System has been celebrating its presence across the state with its “Everywhere you look, UT” mural campaign.
Throughout November and December 2021, the campaign expanded its reach with the addition of five new murals across southern middle and northeastern Tennessee:
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• Speerit Hill Farm, Giles County
• Doss Construction, Lawrence County
• James Y. Ross Law Office, Wayne County
• Scott County Farmers Market,
Scott County
• UT Law Enforcement Innovation
Center, Anderson County
Since its launch in 2018, the campaign has placed 24 murals throughout the state, 12 of which were completed in 2021. The system plans to add 15 additional murals in 2022 to work towards the goal of painting one mural in each of Tennessee’s 95 counties by 2030. To learn more about the campaign and its locations or to nominate a canvas, visit everywhere.tennessee.edu/murals/.
UT System Accomplishes 2021 Goals
UT System President Randy Boyd highlighted the system’s 2021 successes during a January 2022 meeting with the UT Board of Trustees Executive Committee.
The milestones include acquiring UT Southern (formerly Martin Methodist College), which had a 9 percent increase in fall enrollments and a 200 percent increase in applications for 2022. Additionally, a record-breaking enrollment of 53,983 students—led by UT Knoxville—pushed the UT System past its goal of 2 percent growth in enrolled students, achieving 2.7 percent.
Graduation rates increased across the system: a .8 percent increase for four-year degrees and a 2 percent increase for six-year degrees. The system also expanded its UT Promise scholarship, extending the household income threshold from $50,000 to $60,000.
The UT-Oak Ridge Innovation Institute pushed forward with its joint graduate programs, backed by a combined $28 million in funding from the U.S. Department of Energy, Gov. Bill Lee and the Tennessee General Assembly.
“True to our values, we were bold and impactful, nimble and innovative, and optimistic and visionary,” Boyd says.
Image Caption: UT System staff began moving into UT Tower in January. The move brings about 250 system employees from throughout Knoxville to the top five floors of the former TVA East Tower in downtown Knoxville.
