![Illustrations of a diverse group of people.](https://our.tennessee.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/ot-sm24_faculty_hero.jpg)
UTAA Recognizes Outstanding Faculty
Each year, the UT Alumni Association recognizes outstanding faculty and staff for their work in three categories.
![Yancy Freeman congratulates Hal Bynum on earning his UT Martin degree during Freeman’s first commencement as chancellor. Looking on is Philip Acree Cavalier, provost and senior vice chancellor for academic affairs.](https://our.tennessee.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/OT-S24_UTMnews_ftr.jpg)
Freeman Presides Over First Commencement
Yancy Freeman presided over his first UT Martin commencement ceremonies as chancellor Dec. 9 at the Kathleen and Tom Elam…
![Lathon Ross wears a shirt decorated by his students during a celebration of the first graduates from the Call Me MiSTER program at UT Martin.](https://our.tennessee.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/OurTN-Winter2023_mister_feature-img-1.jpg)
Call Me MiSTER
The Call Me MiSTER program strives to increase the pool of male minority educators to be effective role models.
![Latimer Engineering and Science Building](https://our.tennessee.edu/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/UTMNews-FeaturedImage.jpg)
Anonymous Gift Benefits Construction Management Degree
An anonymous gift will support UT Martin’s new Bachelor of Science in Construction Management, an engineering major developed to meet…
![Kerry Witcher, Randy Boyd, Melanie Smith Taylor, and Keith Carver](https://our.tennessee.edu/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/06242021_wildwoodfarms120-e1631709903433.jpg)
UT Martin Receives Largest Gift in UT System’s History
A $79.5 million gift will allow UT Martin to increase educational program offerings in veterinary health technology and other agricultural…
![Nancy Sanchez](https://our.tennessee.edu/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/feat-sanchez.jpg)
Conserja. Apoyadora. Amiga.
As an admissions coordinator, Nancy Sanchez provides the support and encouragement she wishes she received.
![Savannah Matheny uses a power drill to assemble a horse skeleton named Ron](https://our.tennessee.edu/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Horse-Skeleton.jpg)
Animal Science Graduate Rebuilds Horse Skeleton
A 17-hand tall, fully articulated equine skeleton named Ron will be used as a teaching model in animal science courses.
![Abby Murphy points her left toe, instructing a row of dance students behind her](https://our.tennessee.edu/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/feat_AbbyMurphyDanceEducation015-e1579143450273.jpg)
Staying ‘En Pointe’
Arts programs, including dance, are known to increase attendance rates and test scores, encourage critical thinking and boost creative writing…
![Angela Ammerman teaches Thai children the proper way to hold the violin bow.](https://our.tennessee.edu/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Amms-Teaching-Bow-2-scaled.jpg)
A More Musical World
UT Martin music education professor Angela Ammerman's life was changed after teaching violin to orphans in Thailand.
![corn harvesting equipment in West Tennessee](https://our.tennessee.edu/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/NEWS_UTM_CornHarvest.jpg)
Agricultural Business Degree Added
This is UT Martin's 18th bachelor’s degree program and expands the previous agricultural business concentration under the general agriculture degree.
![](https://our.tennessee.edu/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/NEWS_UTM_01.jpg)
Solar Garden Sculpture Dedication
Ten students in the departments of engineering and visual and theater arts collaborated in designing the Solar Garden, which was…
![Jake Bynum and daughter Ella in the Tennsee Soybean Festival parade in 2014](https://our.tennessee.edu/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/A-Sense-of-Place-and-Community.jpg)
A Sense of Place and Community
UT Martin prepared and inspired Tennessee’s youngest county mayor to run for office.
![A woman and man in baccalaureate and doctoral regalia](https://our.tennessee.edu/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/Graduation-Rituals-Regalia-and-Traditions.jpg)
Graduation Rituals, Regalia and Traditions
Caps, gowns, commencement. Where do graduation traditions come from?
![](https://our.tennessee.edu/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/feature_cover-story-image.png)
What is the Future of Higher Education?
There is a wave of change hitting universities across the country, questioning the purpose and value of higher education.
![Richard Griffin, online accounting professor at UT Martin](https://our.tennessee.edu/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/richard-griffin-online-professor.jpg)
Teaching Online
Richard Griffin, an accounting professor at UT Martin has been teaching online since 1998.
![UT Martin student Amanda Cain is one of 185 UT students across the state who benefit from UTAA-funded scholarships. Photo by Trevor Ruszkowski](https://our.tennessee.edu/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/1112-cain.jpg)
Funding Student Dreams
At age 3, Amanda Cain knew she wanted to be a veterinarian. Her dream wouldn’t have come true without a…
![Ayers Invests in Decatur County's Future](https://our.tennessee.edu/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/100928-ayers1.jpg)
Ayers Invests in Decatur County’s Future
Scholarships and a UT Martin off-campus center help students overcome challenges and earn degrees.