Stories have the power to inspire, teach and connect us, and they play a vital role in shaping our understanding of the world and each other.
In this edition of Our Tennessee magazine, we delve into the theme “Tell Me a Story.” Stories are the essence of our existence, capturing moments of success, lessons learned and the full range of emotions that life can throw our way. They are not merely confined to the written word but emerge in everyday moments of our lives.
Throughout my life, books have been a constant source of inspiration and wisdom. They have provided me with invaluable insights into leadership, innovation and the power of seeing things from a different point of view. But, beyond the pages of any book, I’ve come to appreciate that stories also can develop over a lifetime of experiences. Across our campuses and institutes, the stories we share are rich and diverse—from overcoming obstacles to achieving personal milestones or dreaming of what the future holds.
As we embark on what will be the greatest decade in UT history, I encourage you to embrace and share your stories far and wide. They are a testament to our resilience, our creativity and our shared commitment to making a profound difference in the world.
As we share our stories, together we will build a strong and spirited community that’s as lively and connected as our UT System family. Your experiences, both past and those yet to come, are the chapters that will define the legacy of our institution.
—Randy Boyd (Knoxville ’79)
