UTK Celebrates Milestones

Michael Folkerth

1 day ago

From left, John Zomchick, provost and senior vice chancellor; Giovanna Vidoli, Forensic Anthropology Center director; Dawnie Wolfe Steadman, Forensic Anthropology Center director emeritus and professor of anthropology; Brandon Elkins, Tennessee Bureau of Investigation assistant special agent in charge; and Robert Hinde, executive dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, participate in the ribbon cutting during the Forensic Anthropology Lab opening.

A group of five people preparing to collectively cut a ceremony ribbon. — From left, John Zomchick, provost and senior vice chancellor; Giovanna Vidoli, Forensic Anthropology Center director; Dawnie Wolfe Steadman, Forensic Anthropology Center director emeritus and professor of anthropology; Brandon Elkins, Tennessee Bureau of Investigation assistant special agent in charge; and Robert Hinde, executive dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, participate in the ribbon cutting during the Forensic Anthropology Lab opening.

UT Knoxville celebrated the opening of the Forensic Anthropology Laboratory, which works to scientifically identify missing persons. The lab expands the Forensic Anthropology Center and enhances the university’s commitment to advancing forensic science.

Randy Boyd, UT System president, speaks during the Haslam College of Business topping-off ceremony.

At a topping-off ceremony celebrating the placing of the final structural beam of UT Knoxville’s new Haslam College of Business Building, university leaders announced the building will be named for UT System President Randy Boyd.

Smokey XII joined the Volunteer family, making his official debut at the 2026 Orange and White spring football game in Neyland Stadium. Smokey XII, a 2-year-old bluetick coonhound named Neyland, is being fostered by a UT College of Veterinary Medicine employee. Smokey XII’s adaptability and eagerness to learn have impressed his medical team, which includes specialists in veterinary behavior, animal welfare and animalassisted interventions. Experts at the college continue to evaluate his temperament, health and preparedness for the high-energy environment of SEC football.

Smokey XII poses in his orange and white checkerboard collar.

Rankings and Recognitions

UT Knoxville ranked among the nation’s leading graduate schools, with multiple programs earning distinction in U.S. News & World Report’s 2026 Best Graduate Schools. Nuclear engineering held steady at second, and supply chain management rose to second place among public universities this year. The university was recognized for its overall excellence in fine arts, ranking seventh among public universities and 28th nationwide. The Winston College of Law’s full-time program ranked 29th among public institutions for the second year in a row and ranked 57th nationally. The College of Nursing’s nurse anesthesia concentration ranked 15th among public institutions and 27th overall.
Military Friendly awarded UT Knoxville a Gold ranking as a Military Friendly School and named the university as a Military Spouse Friendly School.
For the eighth consecutive year, the Fulbright Program recognized UT Knoxville as one of the colleges and universities with the highest number of students and recent alumni—with 10 for the 2025-26 academic year—selected for the Fulbright U.S. Student Program.

Impactful Partnerships

From left, John Sorochan, Distinguished Professor of Turfgrass Science and Management; Alan Ferguson, FIFA senior pitch management manager; Chancellor Donde Plowman; Kaj Heyral, FIFA26 director of infrastructure and technical services; and Christian Stiegler, FIFA head of stadium and infrastructure management, pose for a group photo during the 2026 Pitch Management Research Field Day.

UT Knoxville researchers and leaders hosted FIFA officials for a field day to review progress on natural-grass pitches for FIFA World Cup 26, highlighting a first-of-its-kind collaboration to develop science-based pitch management recommendations.
UT Knoxville, in partnership with Knox County Schools, launched the Teach Knox Fellows program, an initiative aimed at investing in, preparing and supporting the professional development of 30 special education teachers annually at no cost to participants.
UT Knoxville and partners, including the State of Tennessee AI Advisory Council, SCORE (State Collaborative on Reforming Education), Vanderbilt University, the University of Memphis, Oak Ridge National Laboratory and the Tennessee Board of Regents, hosted the inaugural AI Tennessee Summit in Nashville, inviting leaders from government, industry and academia to discuss evolving needs and challenges related to artificial intelligence.