Fall 2023

Tied by blood or chosen by the heart, the varied concepts of family and home have been explored since the first family. For some, as musician John Denver sang, they’ve come home to a place they’ve never seen before, while others find comfort in the community where they know every crack in the sidewalk and person who passes in a car. For others, home is a person. Wherever they may roam, with that person by their side, there haven is. Whatever brings us that feeling of home, it helps us to understand who we are and who we want to be.

In this issue, we look at home and family, with how happy couples approach conflict, living in a tiny home and how one man changed his definition of family. Along the way, we’re exploring 4-H’s impact on Tennessee families, how one faculty member examines the concept of home through placemaking, and students who help build homes for others.

Sam Banks, Knoxville '23, assists in constructing a Habitat for Humanity house.

Home Sweet Homes

UT Knoxville resident assistants build habitat homes for 26 years.

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A Syrian refugee camp in Jordan.

Placemaking

UT Knoxville professor studies refugee camps' environments.

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Close-up of infant grasping a woman's hand.

Grand Challenges

Meeting the Challenge

UT Knoxville alumna runs agency that helps keep families intact.

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Marcus, Isaiah, Zander and Melanie Williamson.

What Family Means to Me

Growing up, my family really valued the importance of our last name. We took a lot of pride in being…

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Illustration of a happy couple sitting on the couch.

Five Ways Happy Couples Argue

Happy couples and unhappy couples argue, but what distinguishes the two may not be so much what they argue about…

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Brian Winbigler, president of the UT Alumni Association.

Alumni Association

Commitment Through Contribution

Winbigler’s journey from a scholarship-seeking student to an enthusiastic alumni volunteer speaks to his passion for giving back and the…

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Former Sen. Lamar Alexander, left, joined UT Knoxville Chancellor Donde Plowman and former Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam, who teamed up to teach an undergraduate honors course on leading with courage—the first course to be offered through the university’s new Institute of American Civics.

News and Updates

Rankings and Recognition

UT Knoxville is ranked among the best colleges in America for affordability and quality by Money Magazine.

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Ernest Bernard, center, a professor in the Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, is the recipient of the UTIA Institute Professor Award, the Institute’s top recognition for faculty. With him are, from left, AgResearch Dean Hongwei Xin; UTIA Senior Vice Chancellor and Senior Vice President Keith Carver; College of Veterinary Medicine Dean Jim Thompson; and UT Extension Dean Ashley Stokes.

News and Updates

UTIA Holds Annual UTIA Awards and Promotion Luncheon

UTIA celebrated the outstanding work of more than 40 members of the faculty and staff at the annual UTIA Awards…

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