Each year, the campuses within the University of Tennessee System honor alumni whose achievements, service and leadership reflect the spirit of UT and bring distinction to their alma mater. Each campus recognizes excellence in its own way, from lifetime service and professional achievement to early-career impact and community leadership. The awards celebrate the many paths of success forged by UT graduates, and the 2025 alumni award winners exemplify dedication to their professions, their communities and the university.
UT Knoxville
Distinguished Alumnus/Alumna Award
Dedicated to the spirit of the Volunteer, the Distinguished Alumnus/Alumna Award is reserved for alumni who have excelled at the national or international level. The award recognizes an alumnus or alumna of UT Knoxville who has attained extraordinary distinction and success in his or her field and whose achievements have brought credit to university and benefit to his or her fellow citizens.
- Joe Baker (Knoxville ’01)
- Jessi Baker (Knoxville ’03)
- Darrel Hackett (Knoxville ’95)
- Bob Kesling (Knoxville ’77)
- Lynne Parker (Knoxville ’88)
- Barry “Butch” Wilmore (Knoxville ’94)
Alumni Professional Achievement Award
The Alumni Professional Achievement Award recognizes alumni who have a record of notable career accomplishments and a history of outstanding contributions to their profession. The award is presented to acknowledge their success which brings honor and credit to the UT Knoxville.
- G. Rumay Alexander (Knoxville ’72, ’75)
- James Atchley (Knoxville ’86, ’88)
- Thomas Black (Knoxville ’21)
- Mike Dodd (Knoxville ’95)
- Angela Hardin Yochem (Knoxville ’98)
Alumni Service Award
The Alumni Service Award recognizes exceptional service or long-term continuing service or leadership to UT Knoxville. It is designed to publicly acknowledge those individuals or organizations who have given significant amounts of time, talent or resources to the university over an extended period.
- Daniel Dougherty (Knoxville ’00)
- Christopher Hall (Knoxville ’79)
- Watty Brooks Hall (Knoxville ’80)
- Rita Freeman Silen (Knoxville ’74)
- Brent Trentham (Knoxville ’90)
- Antoinette Williams (Knoxville ’02)
Alumni Promise Award
The Alumni Promise Award recognizes alumni no older than 40 who have demonstrated distinctive achievement in a career, civic involvement or both. This award is presented to acknowledge alumni who are making a mark early in their career.
- Michael Gomez (Knoxville ’21)
- Jasmine Manning (Knoxville ’17)
- Brooks Morelock (Knoxville ’11)
- Maria Natale (Knoxville ’12)
- Dena vonWerssowetz (Knoxville ’07, ’09)
- Jayme Walters (Knoxville ’20)
UT Chattanooga
Outstanding Service Award
The UT Chattanooga Outstanding Service Award recognizes community leaders who demonstrate exemplary personal service and commitment to UTC and the community. The award recipients rise above the ordinary standard of service.
- State Sen. Bo Watson, R-Chattanooga, (Chattanooga ’83, HSC ’84)
Distinguished Alumni Award
The UT Chattanooga Distinguished Alumni Award is the highest annual commendation presented to an alumnus or alumna. This award recognizes alumni who demonstrate extraordinary service to their alma mater, their field and their community.
- Hiren Desai (Chattanooga ’91)
GOLD Excellence Award
The GOLD Excellence Award is one of the most prominent honors presented to an alumnus or alumna. The award recognizes those who graduated within the last decade and have exemplified early success and positive contributions within their profession, community or other impactful areas.
- Hallie DeHart (Chattanooga ’18)
UT Martin
Outstanding Alumni Award
The Outstanding Alumni Award is awarded for outstanding achievement in his or her chosen profession.
- Tymikia Glenn (Martin ’01)
Outstanding Young Alumni
The Outstanding Young Alumni Award honors a university alumnus under 40 years of age for outstanding achievement in his or her chosen profession.
- Jacob Ross (Martin ’11, ’13)
University Service Award
The University Service Award honors an individual or individuals for exemplary service to the university.
- Bill Rhodes (Martin ’87)
UT Health Science Center
DENTISTRY
Outstanding Alumnus Award
The highest award given by the University of Tennessee Dental Alumni Association recognizes a graduate and member of the profession of dentistry who has distinguished himself or herself in community service, leadership, teaching, research and/or service to the university.
- Dr. Joseph Safirstein (HSC ’99) — Outstanding Alumnus Award
- Dr. Waletha Wasson (HSC ’79) – Outstanding Alumna Award
- Dr. S. Barrett Sexton (Knoxville ’94, HSC ’97) – Distinguished Service Award
Recent Alumna/Alumnus Award
This award recognizes an outstanding early-career graduate of the College of Dentistry who, through extraordinary achievements, service and contributions, has been an outstanding ambassador to his or her alma mater, profession, community, state and nation.
- Dory Sellers Gaston (HSC ’13)
MEDICINE
Outstanding Alumnus/Alumna Award
The Outstanding Alumnus Award is not limited to those in active medical practice and recognizes a member of the medical profession who has distinguished himself or herself in various areas.
- Dr. John Howington (HSC ’89)
- Dr. H. Lynn Massingale (HSC ’77)
- Dr. Natascha Thompson (Knoxville ’93, HSC ’98)
NURSING
Outstanding Alumnus/Alumna Award
An Outstanding Alumnus/Alumna Award is presented based upon recommendations from UTHSC College of Nursing/Methodist Hospital School of Nursing alumni, faculty or other UTHSC College of Nursing constituents.
- Dee Blakney (HSC ’99, ’07) – 2025 Most Outstanding Alumna Award (posthumously awarded)
- Hope Ferguson (HSC ’15) – 2025 Recent Outstanding Alumna Award
- Jackie Morton (MNUR ’95) – 2025 Most Outstanding Methodist School of Nursing Alumna
In 2006, the Methodist Hospital School of Nursing closed, and alumni were absorbed into the UTHSC community. This award was created to engage and welcome them.
Most Supportive to Nursing Award
A Most Supportive to Nursing Award is presented each year based upon recommendations from UTHSC College of Nursing alumni, faculty or other UTHSC College of Nursing constituents.
- Dianne Greenhill (HSC ’62, Knoxville ’73)
PHARMACY
Outstanding Alumnus Award
The Outstanding Alumnus Award is the UT Health Science Center College of Pharmacy Alumni Association’s highest honor given to a graduate of the college in recognition of service to the college and community, leadership in local, state or national health or non-health-related organization, and teaching or research.
- William “Bill” Greene (HSC ’81)
Recent Alumna Award Winner
This award recognizes an outstanding graduate within the last 15 years whose achievements have been significant to the UT Health Science Center, to the general welfare of the community and to the profession.
- Megan Lowe (HSC ’17)
Distinguished Service to Pharmacy Award
The Distinguished Service to Pharmacy Award recognizes significant contributions to the pharmacy profession through legislative or service efforts.
- Tennessee Pharmacists Association