UT Martin now offers a concentration in public health as part of its health and human performance degree at all six regional centers beginning in the fall 2026 semester. The centers are in Jackson, Parsons, Ripley, Selmer, Somerville and Springfield. The public health concentration was previously offered only at the main campus. The Bachelor of Science in Health and Human Performance degree prepares students for careers in exercise science, public school teaching in health and physical education, public health and various pre-professional programs.
New Business Building Named for Bill and Amy Rhodes
The UT Board of Trustees approved naming the new UT Martin College of Business facility the Bill and Amy Rhodes Business Building, to be commonly known as Rhodes Hall. Both are UT Martin alumni. The naming was approved during the board’s annual meeting in June and recognizes the Rhodes’ long-standing support of the university. The building is scheduled for completion in spring 2029.
Tractor Team Finishes in Top 20
The UT Martin tractor team placed 15th overall in the 29th annual American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers International Quarter-Scale Tractor Student Design Competition. The four-member team competed against 22 other teams from the United States and Canada, some of which had more than 20 team members. This year marked the 14th year that the team has participated in the international competition. The competition consists of student teams who design and build working tractors to one-fourth scale.
Graduate Receives Degree “Across the Pond”
Jada Curlin of Drummonds officially graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Agriculture on May 6 via Zoom, four days after her classmates graduated in the formal ceremony in UT Martin’s Kathleen and Tom Elam Center. Curlin was enrolled in a study-abroad course in agricultural education at the Società Dante Alighieri di Siena of the University of Siena, Italy, and was joined by friends for her graduation in Siena, while Chancellor Yancy Freeman and other guests also joined the ceremony virtually. Curlin was not aware of the surprise commencement until she saw Freeman on the computer screen. Curlin is a first-generation college graduate.
Smith Earns Top Educator Honor
Clinton Smith, UT Martin professor of special education, received the 2026 Higher Educator of the Year award from the National Education Association. Smith was presented with the honor and a $10,000 award funded by the NEA Foundation at the 2026 NEA Representative Assembly. The Higher Educator of the Year award recognizes a postsecondary education professional who continually engages in outstanding student-centered professional practice, exemplary state/local labor-based advocacy and robust community participation.