UT Martin’s yearlong 125th anniversary celebration opened Oct. 10 with a formal ceremony in Watkins Auditorium on the main campus. The university traces its roots to Hall-Moody Junior College established in 1900. Among those attending the ceremony were UT System President Randy Boyd, Chancellor Yancy Freeman, local and state government officials, and former UT Martin chancellors Philip Conn (1998-2000), Nick Dunagan (2001-07), Robert Smith (2015-17) and Keith Carver (2017-23). Learn more about the ongoing 125th celebration at alumni.utm.edu/celebration.
Health Care Hits the Road
UT Martin, in conjunction with the UT Health Science Center and UT Southern, received one of three mobile health units hitting the road as part of a UT System Grand Challenge Grant. The program is an investment by the UT System to fund transformative projects that improve the quality of life for Tennesseans in three areas: strengthening rural communities, overcoming addiction and advancing K-12 education. The mobile health unit will provide outreach, education and training for West Tennessee communities and health care workers and be a teaching tool for UTM nursing students.
UTM Manages Pauline Pusser Case Files
The investigation case file in the death of Pauline Mullins Pusser, wife of the late Sheriff Buford Pusser of McNairy County, was made public by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI), which designated UT Martin to manage access to the file. Pauline Pusser’s death in 1967 while riding with her husband on a domestic dispute call became the basis of the film Walking Tall in 1973. The TBI also announced that, because of new evidence, forensic testing and expert analysis, if he were alive today, an indictment would have been presented to the McNairy County grand jury for its consideration against Pusser for the murder of his wife. Access to the files is available by going to utm.edu/selmer to schedule an appointment to view the printed case file at the UTM McNairy County Center/Selmer in Selmer and to request a printed reproduction copy. The information also is being converted to a digital file, which will be available to the public once the conversion is completed.
Students Work NFL Games in London
UT Martin students worked at NFL games in London this fall for the second consecutive year. The students were part of the event-management team for the Cleveland Browns-Minnesota Vikings game on Oct. 5 and the Denver Broncos-New York Jets game on Oct. 12. Both games were played at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in northern London. The students worked in customer service, handing out gifts to the official staff and welcoming staff members to the games. These and other real-world sport management experiences are arranged and organized by Dexter Davis, professor of sport management.
New Social Work Master’s Degree Offered
UT Martin has developed a new Master of Science in Social Work degree program. The program will begin in August 2026, and applications to the program are open. This online program focuses on the preparation of advanced, generalized-study social workers to provide services to individuals, families and groups in rural communities.
