This year’s Regal Scholars make the ninth cohort to attend the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Regal, a subsidiary of Cineworld Group, began in Knoxville in 1989, and has helped 40 students from Knox County attend UT each year since 2013 through the generosity of the Regal Foundation.
Ten high-achieving students from each class (first-year, sophomore, junior, and senior) are selected to receive the scholarship. Taylor Johnson (Class of 2024) attends the university thanks to Regal’s support.
“Receiving the Regal Scholarship has meant the world to me,” said Johnson. “It enables me to continue my college education and make progress toward a career as an educator. It is great to know that people care about making sure college students like me are supported in their education, and the Regal Scholarship is one of many things that has helped me feel supported in my journey.”
Matt Eyre, Regal chief operating officer and president of the Regal Foundation, explained that sharing a birthplace with UT inspired the company to give back and support the people of the Knoxville community.
“Regal and UT are part of the social fabric of East Tennessee, and we are proud to be a longtime partner with the university,” said Eyre. “Through our foundation, we proudly support the communities in which we operate with the Regal Scholars program being one of our longest ongoing partnerships supporting the next generation of leaders.”
It is great to know that people care about making sure college students like me are supported in their education, and the Regal Scholarship is one of many things that has helped me feel supported in my journey.
– Taylor Johnson (Class of 2024)
This scholarship represents only a portion of what Regal has done to support UT. The company has also given extensively to the Haslam College of Business, including initiating a professorship, and to UT Athletics, including the naming of Regal Soccer Stadium.
UT Provost John Zomchick expressed his appreciation on behalf of the university for Regal’s generosity over the years.
“Regal’s partnership has made the Volunteer experience possible for hundreds of students,” said Zomchick. “The Regal Scholars program is just one example of the company’s support for the university, and we greatly appreciate Regal’s generosity. By giving to UT, they are investing in the future of our state and contributing to UT’s land-grant mission to provide educational opportunities for Tennesseans.”
Because of Regal’s support, a whole generation of local students have joined the Volunteer family and built a foundation on Rocky Top for their futures.
The 2022–23 Regal Scholars are: Iesha Abdur Raqeeb, Zainab Abuirqeba, Kaitlyn Bales, Morgan Cable, Hannah Crace, Anastasia Fine, Gabriel Godish, Arnashia Gray, Sarah Huang, Taylor Johnson, Edward Kim, Aidan Lankford, Andrew Lawall, Alleyah Lynch, Lydia Marinich, Kellie McGhee, Savannah Miranda, Cayleene Moore, Fredy Ortiz, Ritu Patel, Marissa Posani, Abby-Noelle Potter, Cordelia Ridenour, Julie Ruiz Archundia, Roni Ruiz Archundia, Chrystyn Sammy, Brana Shankle, Riley Shepard, Cainin Sherrill, Zachary Shular, Hunter Smith, Philip Soulier, Dakota Stiles, Cody Taylor, Peyton Theisen, Chante Thomas, Robert Trevathan, Brandon Webster, Maya Wilson, and Celia Zhang.
