Keith Carver Assumes Leadership Role at UTIA

UT System President Randy Boyd and UT Knoxville Chancellor Donde Plowman announced leadership transitions in January at UTIA. UTIA Senior Vice Chancellor and Senior Vice President Carrie Castille became a special advisor to Boyd, and Keith Carver, chancellor at UT Martin, was named the new leader of UTIA.

Carver, who has a record of service to UT, will head UTIA in a two-year limited duration appointment. UTIA is thriving with record research expenditures, increased enrollment, expanding programs, including its first official school—the School of Natural Resources, formerly the Department of Forestry, Wildlife and Fisheries—and a strong Extension presence in all 95 counties.

Carver embraced the UTIA culture, visiting Knoxville-based facilities and several counties and research centers in February. In April, he and his wife, Hollianne, are co-hosting the annual UT Gardens Gala in Knoxville. The fundraising event benefits the academic and educational programs of the gardens. For more information, visit the UT Gardens website.

New Vet Center Completed

Veterinary medicine student Ravyn Clausell tries out the new Teaching and Learning Center, which allows students to become confident in their skills before their clinical years.
Veterinary medicine student Ravyn Clausell tries out the new Teaching and Learning Center, which allows students to become confident in their skills before their clinical years.

In January, the College of Veterinary Medicine celebrated the completion of the Teaching and Learning Center (TLC). The TLC creates a welcoming environment that enhances the educational experiences for students using innovation, technology and flexibility. The 19,000-square-foot addition includes the Ann and John Tickle Lecture Hall and simulation and wet labs. The simulation laboratory is a teaching and learning site that offers students the opportunity to become confident in performing technical skills before and during their clinical years in a safe, risk-free and low-stress environment before working on live animals. Both small- and large-animal models are available for practicing many procedures, including blood sampling and the placement of catheters, as well as models for practicing surgical suture placement and tying surgical knots. The building’s main concourse offers space for informal learning and exhibits by students and industry partners as well as a new entrance to the Pendergrass Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine Library.

652 River Miles Aligned with UTIA

The Tennessee River includes 652 miles of waterfront, and in January, community leaders, planners, investors and outdoor enthusiasts interested in developing, promoting and enhancing a system of recreational trails—including blueways or water routes—met for the sixth annual Tennessee RiverLine Summit. During the meeting, the Tennessee RiverLine project was announced as a major UTIA initiative.

Kayakers take to the water during the Clear Creek ribbon cutting for the Tennessee RiverLine.
Kayakers take to the water during the Clear Creek ribbon cutting for the Tennessee RiverLine.

Brad Collett, the Tennessee RiverLine director, said, “With the Institute’s focus on education through the Herbert College, its presence in every county through UT Extension, commitment to discovery and innovation through UT AgResearch, and ability to engage with communities through land-grant university partners in Alabama, Kentucky and Mississippi, the UT Institute of Agriculture and the Tennessee RiverLine are a natural fit.”