A FUTURE DEFINED BY VOLUNTEERS
You are Shaping UT’s Next Era of Excellence
FISCAL YEAR 2025–26 IMPACT REPORT
Your commitment has resulted in UT’s third consecutive year of record philanthropy—and that means lives changed on Rocky Top and throughout Tennessee.
Because of your generosity, current Vols thrive from the moment they arrive on Rocky Top and graduate prepared to lead, serve, and strengthen communities across our state. At the same time, UT researchers are transforming bold ideas into innovations that improve lives and power Tennessee’s future.
Thank you for believing in UT to boldly strengthen this campus and the state we call home. Each time you give, you enable the university to spark transformation.
Philanthropy is Fueling Momentum
Philanthropic support for the University of Tennessee has reached historic levels, growing from $332 million in 2023-24 to $428 million in 2024-25 and a record $581 million in 2025-26. This remarkable growth reflects the generosity of Volunteers who continue to invest in students, faculty, research, and the future of Tennessee.
That support is creating meaningful impact across Rocky Top. More than 12,000 donor-funded scholarships were awarded in 2025-26, while first-year student retention reached 92.4%. Generosity also fueled major investments across campus, including landmark academic spaces and centers, and the largest investment in university history from Dee and Jimmy Haslam.
Over the past three years:
112%
increase in philanthropic support
#1
in the SEC for fundraising growth
28.5%
compound annual growth rate
The national average for year-over-year growth in giving to higher education is approximately 3-4%.
Recognized
as an international leader in higher education fundraising
Council for Advancement and Support of Education
2025-2026 Fiscal Year
$581M
received from donors—the largest total in university history
70,300+
donors helped fuel UT’s land-grant mission
$170M
contributed toward UT’s endowment
Igniting the Next Generation of Servant Leaders
Your generosity is expanding access, strengthening outcomes, and connecting every Volunteer to be prepared to lead. In classrooms, labs, and residence halls across campus, your support is at work meeting essential needs, opening doors to life-changing programs, and supporting excellence that stretches far beyond UT.
Total enrollment surpassed previous records
with more than 40,000 students
Nearly 95%
of incoming students received some form of financial aid.
Creating a personalized student experience is our anchor, from recruitment to graduation. The record number of students choosing Rocky Top reflects the passion that defines the Volunteer family and the Volunteer experience. With many college options, there’s only one UT—where the genuine care of the Vol community supports students throughout their college journey.”
— Kari Alldredge, Senior Vice Provost for Enrollment Management
Igniting the Next Generation
Honoring Academic Mentors
Peyton Manning’s (’97) $4 million gift recognizes the professors who shaped his UT journey, while strengthening academic excellence for future Volunteers. The gift supports the establishment of the Faye Julian Dean’s Chair Endowment and the John Haas Director’s Chair Endowment, each of which will open doors to bold ideas, innovation, and a best-in-class experience for students in the College of Communication and Information.
Igniting the Next Generation
A Front Seat to History
Joshua Dobbs (’17) provided seven aerospace engineering majors with the opportunity to attend the Artemis II rocket launch—humanity’s first flight to circle the moon in more than half a century. The students also visited NASA’s Exploration Ground Systems, saw the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, and met with NASA experts.
Igniting the Next Generation
Meal Plan Support Fuels Students
A gift from Jason (’92, ’96) and Suzie (’97) Epstein established a meal plan scholarship endowment through the Center for Basic Needs, ensuring long-term, reliable support for students on campus who face food insecurity. Initiatives by the Center for Basic Needs have a track record of helping retain and graduate students at higher rates.
Igniting the Next Generation
Johnstons’ UT Legacy: Historic $2+ Million Estate Gift Expands Arts and Cultural Education
With an estate gift divided equally between the Department of Theatre and the McClung Museum of Natural History and Culture, the late Florence Fair Johnston and Hendon Russell Johnston Jr. established a lasting legacy at UT. The largest gift in the museum’s history, it will fund a new Tennessee River exhibition. This generosity also marks a transformational moment for UT, completing funding for construction of the Jenny Boyd Theatre, which is now holding productions.
Equipping Students for Challenges of an Evolving World
Investing in the student experience ensures that Vols are equipped to meet the workforce of tomorrow and strengthen communities in Tennessee and beyond. Your generosity is helping equip graduates with the knowledge, skills, and hands-on experiences needed to lead in a rapidly changing world.
Graduation rates rose to a record high for the fifth consecutive year.
74.5% of students graduate within six years. The four-year graduation rate climbed 5.2 points, reaching a record high of 66.8%.
“Rocky Top truly is home sweet home to me. It is a privilege and an honor to be able to give back to the university that did so much for me and helped me become the man I am today.”
— Grant Williams (’19)
Equipping Students for the World
Supporting Tennessee’s Special Education Teachers
As school systems across the country grapple with teacher shortages, UT is partnering with Knox County Schools to launch the Teach Knox Fellows program, a new initiative aimed at investing in, preparing, and supporting the professional development of special education teachers at no cost to participants.
Equipping Students for the World
Developing the State’s Nuclear Workforce Pipeline
A new partnership between UT, Roane State Community College, and the Tennessee Colleges of Applied Technology is transforming the nuclear workforce pipeline. In response to the growing demand for skilled workers in this critical industry, UT is creating seamless education pathways with hands-on training opportunities.
Advancing a Bold Vision for Tennessee’s Tomorrow
Your generosity is helping advance research that addresses Tennessee’s greatest challenges, strengthens our workforce, and improves lives across the state. With partners working alongside our faculty and students, UT is transforming discovery into practical solutions while
preparing the talent Tennessee needs.
#14
in the nation among public
universities for innovation
US News & World Report 2025
UT was named a 2025 APLU* Innovation & Economic Prosperity Award winner.
*Association of Public and Land-grant Universities
UT helps create vibrant, connected places where people want to live, work, and build. Our work strengthens Tennessee’s competitiveness, contributes to the nation’s security and economy, equips Tennesseans with skills that lead to rewarding careers, and improves individual lives around the country and the globe.”
— Deborah Crawford, Vice Chancellor for research, innovation and economic development
Advancing a bold vision
TVA Spearheads Nuclear Engineering Growth
Reinforcing East Tennessee’s status as the national epicenter for building a more secure energy future, the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) provided $3 million to the Tickle College of Engineering to endow the department chair for the Department of Nuclear Engineering. The endowment will provide critical resources to advance the mission of the department and strengthen research initiatives aligned with industry needs.
Advancing a bold vision
Recruiting Acclaimed Faculty
To advance UT’s leadership in research, innovation, and discovery, the university has launched a major, multi-year effort to recruit world-renowned faculty across a variety of disciplines. In alignment with UT’s land-grant mission to serve the state of Tennessee, the university is attracting faculty with expertise in artificial intelligence, advanced materials and manufacturing, energy and environment, future mobility, and health and wellness.
Advancing a bold vision
A Hub of Innovation, Technology, and Economic Development
A plan is underway, in collaboration with the University Financing Foundation, Inc., to develop the Maplehurst Innovation District—a hub for computing and artificial intelligence located between campus and downtown Knoxville. Designed as a live-work-play neighborhood, the district will support high-tech startups, the Tennessee AI Initiative, and other innovation-driven ventures.
Advancing a bold vision
Thousands of Book from Cormac McCarthy’s Library Gifted to UT
UT Libraries received thousands of books from the estate of Pulitzer Prize-winning author and Knoxville native Cormac McCarthy. Numbering between 16,000-18,000 volumes, the titles will be available for checkout by students and scholars, offering valuable insights into the author.
This Moment Belongs to Volunteers
Thank you for believing in the future of the University of Tennessee. Because of you, our university is experiencing extraordinary momentum, creating life-changing impact for students across campus.
Together, we achieved a historic milestone this year, with $581 million in philanthropic support—more than double the donor support received just three years ago. Your generosity represents a powerful vote of confidence in our mission, our people, and what Volunteers can accomplish together. Every gift expands opportunity for students, advances groundbreaking research, strengthens championship-caliber athletics, and creates lasting impact for the people and communities we serve.
The momentum we are experiencing today has been years in the making. Together, we are preparing the next generation of leaders, accelerating discovery and innovation, and building a stronger future for our state. Your investment empowers Volunteers to think boldly, solve meaningful challenges, and lead with purpose.
No one understands the transformational power of higher education more than those who call Rocky Top “Home Sweet Home.” Because of you, the future of UT has never been brighter.
Brian Broyles,
Senior Vice Chancellor for Advancement
Thank You for Making an Impact
Thank you for being part of the Volunteer community and for helping shape what’s possible at the University of Tennessee.
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