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
UT Donors Invest in Students, Set Scholarship Record
More than 51,000 generous alumni and friends of the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, invested in students during the 2020–21 fiscal year, committing more than $202 million and transforming the student experience. The donations resulted in the record-setting awarding of student scholarships, the establishment of a student emergency fund, and the founding of the Big Orange …
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Giving
Remembering a Pioneering Woman in Physics
Estate gift of Elizabeth and James Bains to support diversity in the Department of Physics and Astronomy. The Department of Physics and Astronomy was recently surprised to receive the largest unrestricted gift in its history from Elizabeth and James Bains, who earned their PhD degrees from UT in the 1970s. One of exceedingly few women …
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Giving
Mentorship Is Key in Tri-Star Scholarship
The Tri-Star Scholarship Program helps Tennessee residents have access to the state’s flagship land-grant university, ensuring UT truly reflects the population of the state and is educating as many Tennesseans as possible. While nearly 90 percent of Tennesseans who apply to UT are offered a pathway to admittance, family finances can be a barrier to …
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Giving
Alum Matt Dirsa’s Legacy Lives on Through Scholarship and Award Established by His Family
(This article was originally published by the College of Communication and Information.) Tombras School of Advertising and Public Relations alumnus Matthew (Matt) Dirsa was a man of many interests—he loved outdoor activities such as rock climbing, golf, and snowboarding, but he and his friends also taught themselves how to knit stocking caps and he trained …
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Giving
Bruce and Nancy Sullivan to Establish Named Deanship for UT Libraries
The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Libraries is proud to announce a commitment by Bruce (’71) and Nancy (’73) Sullivan to establish the Bruce and Nancy Sullivan Dean of UT Libraries endowed position. Through contributions from their estate and a cash pledge to be fulfilled during their lifetime, the Sullivans’ generosity will enable UT Libraries to …
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Giving
Carlos and Winnie Simpson and John Tummins Memorial Scholarships Recognized
Recipients of the Carlos and Winnie Simpson and the John Tummins Memorial Scholarships recently gathered for a luncheon to learn more about the inspirations behind their scholarships. Representatives of the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, also shared the special connection between these two scholarships. UT Chancellor Donde Plowman told students, donors, and guests that extending UT’s …
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Giving
Donor Establishes Student Award to Honor Popular Business Analytics and Statistics Lecturer
Students of Brian Stevens, senior lecturer in the Department of Business Analytics and Statistics (BAS) at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville’s Haslam College of Business, have described him as “engaging,” accessible” and “responsive.” Stevens, whom students have called the best teacher they’ve ever had, has won multiple teaching awards and is known for inspiring students …
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Giving
Faculty and Staff Step Forward in Record Numbers for UT during Big Orange Family Campaign
Each year, faculty and staff inspire the Volunteer family through their ever-increasing participation in the Big Orange Family Campaign. The campaign’s ninth year boasts a record 65 percent of university employees who supported Rocky Top through their donations. UT regularly leads the Southeastern Conference for faculty and staff giving, and university employees continued to inspire …
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Giving
With Help from Student Emergency Fund, David Leventhal (’20) Thrives as an Educator Despite Pandemic
For David Leventhal (’07, ’20), the coronavirus pandemic hit during an already challenging time. A nontraditional student, Leventhal returned to UT to pursue a master’s degree in secondary education and teaching during mid-life with a young child to support and a mortgage to pay. Completing his master’s degree meant spending an entire year as …
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