Stories
Because Vols Help Vols.
By supporting the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, you are changing lives. Your generosity ensures hardworking Volunteers are able to achieve their dreams. Your support creates a better future for our Volunteer community through exceptional student experiences, access to expert faculty, top-ranked academic programs, and enhanced learning environments.
We are grateful for your thoughtful demonstration of the Volunteer spirit.
Your Impact
Giving
SmartBank Funds Tri-Star Scholarship for Sevier County High School Students
SmartBank, headquartered in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, has proudly partnered with the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, to fund and establish a Tri-Star Scholarship for Tennessee students to attend UT. As part of the Tri-Star Scholarship Program, this scholarship endowment will help advance UT’s commitment to provide in-state students an affordable, high-quality education. SmartBank’s recent gift specifically …
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Giving
How One Wall Built the Foundation for Faculty Success and Much More
When Libba Wall (’59) established a faculty support fund in the College of Architecture and Design, she never imagined what it would spark. With a great-grandfather who established Southern icon White Lily Flour in Knoxville in the late 19th century, Libba Wall (’59) and her family are deeply invested in the Knoxville community. Family connections …
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Giving
Simpson and Tummins Scholars Honored at Reception
Recipients of the Carlos and Winnie Simpson Scholarship and the John Tummins Memorial Scholarship were honored in March for their academic accomplishments and leadership on Rocky Top. With majors in multiple engineering fields, music, education, business administration, nursing, biology, and more, the scholarship recipients were invited to a reception on March 29 to learn about …
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Giving
Big Orange Family Campaign Celebrates a Decade of Faculty and Staff Giving
Faculty and staff of the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, again rallied in numbers during the Big Orange Family Campaign with 100 more employees over last year showing their pride for the university through a donation. The campaign takes place early in each new calendar year and in 2023 completed its 10th anniversary. Throughout the years …
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Giving
Couple Makes Record-Breaking Gift to Fund UT Scholars in Israel Program
A love of travel and a personal interest in the Holocaust spurred Dan Ricketts (’85, ’92) and his husband, Steve Frankel, to create the Frankel–Ricketts Scholars in Israel Program at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Their contribution will be the largest single donation ever made to the university’s Fern and Manfred Steinfeld Program in Judaic …
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Giving
High School Seniors Surprised with Admission to UT
Austin-East seniors Charlie Smith, Zakeyous Houston and Darius Jackson with the Herbert College of Agriculture’s Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Craig Pickett and Dean David White. On Wednesday, Feb. 8, Austin-East Magnet High School juniors and seniors gathered in the school’s auditorium for what they thought would be a speech on leadership. Instead, seniors …
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Giving
Ninth Cohort of Regal Scholars Announced
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, …
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Giving
Eight New UT Crowdfunding Initiatives to Launch in February
The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, is opening eight new projects on its VOLstarter platform during February to support campus initiatives including the Veterans Success Center, the Precious Prints Project, the Student Emergency Fund, and more. VOLstarter is the university’s crowdfunding website that provides an immediate opportunity to support projects, organizations, and initiatives directly. Donations can …
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Giving
Pinnacle Financial Partners Funds 10 Flagship Scholarship Endowments
Ten Middle Tennessee Flagship Scholarship endowments have been established at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, thanks to the generosity of Pinnacle Financial Partners. The Flagship Scholarship covers tuition and required fees up to $52,000 over four years, when combined with the HOPE scholarship, for first-year students who graduate from designated Flagship high schools in Tennessee. …
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