University of Tennessee System President Randy Boyd delivered the 2025 State of the University address, celebrating record-breaking achievements, expanding research efforts and highlighting the university’s growing impact across the state. Joined by UT campus chancellors and institute leaders, Boyd highlighted the collective momentum driving the UT System forward as it continues to deliver on its promise of making this the greatest decade in UT history. “In 230 years, the University of Tennessee has never been stronger,” Boyd says. “We are at the halfway point of the greatest decade in UT history, and the numbers speak for themselves.” Key highlights from the address include a historic $250 million infrastructure investment proposal by Gov. Bill Lee to enhance UT facilities, record enrollment of 62,149 students with graduation and retention rates at all-time highs, a 32 percent revenue increase to $3.4 billion since 2020, record research expenditures of $484 million that drive innovation and insights from UT campus chancellors and institute leaders on major research initiatives shaping the system’s future. To access the archived video of the 2025 State of UT address, please visit tennessee.edu/state-of-ut/.
Auto Trade Partnership
The University of Tennessee System has announced a pioneering academic partnership with the Alliance for Automotive Innovation, marking the first collaboration between the leading auto trade association and a university on auto-related policy research and workforce development initiatives. This partnership aims to foster innovation, support policy development and strengthen the automotive sector’s economic impact in Tennessee. “We are honored to be named the first academic partner of the Alliance for Automotive Innovation,” UT System President Randy Boyd says. “This partnership underscores our shared commitment to ensuring Tennessee remains a global leader in the automotive and mobility sectors. At the University of Tennessee, we view the rapid evolution of this industry as an opportunity to align our workforce development, innovation and research efforts to meet its needs.” Automaking is Tennessee’s largest manufacturing sector, supporting 225,000 jobs and the production of 670,000 vehicles in 2023. Automakers have invested $12.5 billion in electric vehicles and battery manufacturing across Tennessee.
Paint Tennessee Orange
No matter where you go in Tennessee, you’ll find UT. From classrooms to exam rooms and farms to pharmacies, we’re there. And we’re telling our story of statewide impact in a big way—by painting murals on barns and buildings across Tennessee. Submit a property in one of the 30 Tennessee counties remaining to receive a free Everywhere You Look, UT mural. Visit everywhere.tennessee.edu/murals/ for a list of eligible counties. If a county already has a mural, additional locations may still be painted with a donation to cover costs. Questions? Contact Ellie Dougherty at dougherty@tennessee.edu.
