Winter 2024

Across the University of Tennessee System, leaders work to open more doors to students and to make sure they receive the help they need to successfully graduate. Throughout the pages of this issue of Our Tennessee, we’ll share stories of ways our campuses and institutes make pathways for students and engage the public.

From guaranteed early admissions for qualified Tennesseans to a program that helps high school students experience college and realize it’s for them, UT lights the way to higher education. Read about one high school athlete recruited to a program at UT Martin who said, “That was the first time someone had shown an interest in me academically.” That program changed his plans and put him on the path to a different future. Step by step, we show our students how to climb to their potential.

Two students walking across campus at UT Martin.

A One-Two Punch

Guaranteed early admissions and an expanded UT Promise qualifying income level help make college more accessible and affordable for Tennesseans.

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UT President Emeritus Joe Johnson. (Photo by Adam Brimer)

Sincerely, Joe

UT President Emeritus Joe Johnson is fondly remembered through his letters.

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University High Principal Arielle Garcia Hayes welcomes a student with a hug.

University High

University High, headquartered at UTC, offers Hamilton Country students enrollment in college-level courses taught by UTC faculty and directly supported…

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Trevor Vickery, a student veteran at UT Knoxville, goes for a run across campus.

Serving those Who Serve

UT Knoxville is committed to providing services and resources in order to help our veteran students succeed academically, professionally, and…

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Brynna Stubblefield, left, and Macey Davis prepare to help organizations in Pulaski as part of 'Into the Streets'.

The Value of Community Service

Each fall, UT Southern students head “Into the Streets” to give back to Pulaski. Along the way, they learn about…

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Kids in the Lake County 4-H program fish off a walkway at Reelfoot Lake.

Focus on 4-H

Christian-Boyer is among the UT Extension agents now able to focus solely on 4-H and Youth Development, thanks to a…

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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.

Call Me MiSTER

The Call Me MiSTER program strives to increase the pool of male minority educators to be effective role models.

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Alondra Gonzalez Mireles in her green UTHSC scrubs.

Wanting More

UTHSC's enrollment programs with partner schools across the country provide increased access to nursing programs for students.

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Illustration of a business man reaching out for assistance.

Certified Learning

The Naifeh Center's Tennessee Certified Public Manager program allows graduates to earn graduate school credits.

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UT Southern students organized a disability resource fair to aid families.

Enabling Change

UT campuses and institutes have combined forces to improve the lives of rural Tennesseans with developmental disabilities. At UT Southern,…

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What Got Them Through

The college journey shapes individuals in ways they may not fully grasp until years later. The campuses within the University…

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UT System President Randy Boyd speaks to high school students on his yearly UT Promise Tour.

A Ladder Up

Listen to this story Education stands as the grand equalizer, providing a ladder up for every individual to reach for…

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Margaret Perry, sixth chancellor of UT Martin, watches children play outside the children's center that would be named for her.

Margaret Perry Makes History

Margaret Perry served as UT Martin’s sixth chancellor from 1986 to 1997. She was the first woman to serve as…

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Courtney Brown, UT Knoxville '23, speaks to high school students about her personal experiences as a UT Promise scholarship recipient.

Why Scholarships Matter

UT Knoxville graduate Courtney Brown reflects on the opportunities she found through UT Promise.

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UT System President Randy Boyd speaks to high school students on the 2023 UT Promise Tour.

Record Enrollment Celebrated

The UT System saw all-time record enrollment this fall with 58,726 students enrolled in the System's five campuses.

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Former NFL quarterback and VFL Peyton Manning (Knoxville ’97) was appointed a professor of practice in the College of Communication and Information.

Former Alumni Joins Faculty

Former NFL quarterback and VFL Peyton Manning (Knoxville ’97) was appointed a professor of practice in the College of Communication…

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Conceptual rendering of the Dorothy and Jim Kennedy Health Sciences Building, the future home of the UTC School of Nursing.

UTC School of Nursing Celebrates $8 Million Gift

UT Chattanooga received an $8 million gift from the Kennedy Foundation to name the UTC School of Nursing the Dorothy…

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Front row, from left: Ken Vickers, Brant Harwell, Melissa Ryckman, Cheri Thomas, Judy Cheatham, Cindy Young, Parker Phifer and Jennifer Aust. Second row, from left: Olivia Kate Willis, Emily Grace Russell and Elizabeth Mae Ayers. Third row, from left: Hunter Dunavant, Makinze Talley, Alexa Bryan and Abigail Beasley.

Students Join Alpha Chi

Twenty-three UT Southern students joined the Tennessee XI Chapter of Alpha Chi National Collegiate Honor Society.

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Dr. Harold Conner Jr., the son of former assistant dean of students Harold Conner Sr., speaks about his father at the naming ceremony.

Residence Halls Named for Pioneers

UT Martin named two residence facilities in honor of pioneers Jessie Lou Arnold Pryor and Harold Conner Sr..

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Dental students on their rotation in Knoxville.

UTHSC Dentistry Expands Clinical, Educational Profile in Tennessee

The UTHSC College of Dentistry has established new student clinical rotation sites in Crossville and Knoxville.

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Hongwei Xin

Xin Receives Leggacy Maker Award

Hongwei Xin, Dean of UT AgResearch, was recognized at the 2023 Egg Industry Issues Forum with the Leggacy Maker Award…

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LEIC instructor Dereck Stewart speaks to UT Knoxville Police Department Deputy Chief of Operations Mike Richardson.

LEIC to Extend Cultural Competency Training

A program that started on UT’s undergraduate campuses will go nationwide, thanks to a grant the Law Enforcement Innovation Center…

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