• Nine new monuments dedicated to UTK’s National Pan-Hellenic Council now have a permanent location along Johnson-Ward Pedestrian Walkway.
The NPHC, also known as the Divine 9, is composed of nine historically African American sororities and fraternities. A dedication ceremony for the monuments took place during Homecoming.
• UTK’s Army ROTC Alumni Council is working to establish the UT Armed Forces Memorial on campus. The memorial will serve as a physical reminder of the sacrifices made and a place for people to express their grief and gratitude. The council plans to dedicate the new memorial this spring.
UTK Faculty Nationally Honored
• Three faculty members were named Fulbright Scholars for the 2021-22 academic year: Kelli Wood, assistant professor of art history; David Fox, associate professor of architecture; and Melissa Cardon, Haslam Professor of Entrepreneurship and Innovation. Additional faculty honors include National Science Foundation CAREER Awards for six research faculty; fellowships for seven faculty in the American Association for the Advancement of Science; seven faculty noted among the most highly cited researchers of 2021, and more than 150 faculty in the top 2 percent of scientists in the world for citations.
• Professor of Mathematics David Manderschied has been appointed to serve as director of the National Science Foundation’s Division of Mathematical Sciences. The division supports research at the frontiers of discovery in mathematics and statistics and supports education in the mathematical sciences. With a total annual budget of over $240 million, its programs support research and education that expand the knowledge base of the mathematical sciences through awards to individual investigators and small groups, workforce training grants and a portfolio of national research institutes.
Babu Appointed Senior Advisor
Suresh Babu was appointed senior advisor for research and STEM workforce development initiatives, a role that will focus on strategic investments in research and development and curricular innovations aimed at preparing a 21st century STEM workforce. The position will serve the UT Knoxville Office of the Provost and Office of Research, Innovation and Economic Development to advise on emerging national trends and opportunities to position UTK as a thought leader in the national and global community.
College of Law Names New Dean
Lonnie T. Brown Jr. has been named dean of the College of Law and will begin July 1. Brown, the Josiah Meigs Distinguished Teaching Professor and A. Gus Cleveland Distinguished Chair of Legal Ethics and Professionalism at the University of Georgia School of Law, previously served at Georgia as associate dean for academic affairs for the law school and an administrative fellow in the office of the senior vice president for academic affairs and provost.
UTK Serves Others
More than 300 students, faculty and staff from UTK came together Nov. 17 for the third annual Chancellor’s Day of Service. This year’s event benefited the YWCA Knoxville and Tennessee Valley. During the event, Chancellor Donde Plowman thanked the volunteers for their time and effort, noting that they exemplify the Volunteer effort that makes Rocky Top so special.
