Judy Flanagan served as Director of Special Events at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville from 1990 to 2006 and was the first in this position at the university. Prior to her tenure at UT, Flanagan worked in special events at Walt Disney World, Orlando, Florida, and directed parades for two World’s Fairs (Knoxville, 1982 and New Orleans, 1984) as well as several other major events nationally and internationally. She received a master’s degree in communications from UT in 2004.
Flanagan was passionate about special events and animal rights and spent her life serving others. She had three huskies and was an avid collector of different items of interest. Flanagan retired to Savannah, TN where she spent summers during her lifetime.
The Judy Flanagan Special Events Scholarship was established in 1996 to benefit students within the College of Communication and Information who are interested in a career in special events. To date, 13 students have been awarded.
The Judy Flanagan Animal Law Excellence Endowment was established in 2020 to benefit students in the College of Law and provides support for animal law programs such as animal law moot court, animal law pro bono projects, faculty lessons, and animal law student organizations.
It means a lot to know the entire Volunteer community has our backs, and it’s a great lesson in what a group of committed people can accomplish.
– Jack Duren (’20), a member of the Student Alumni Associates
