READY. SET. SOAR.
2023 CHANCELLOR’S ANNUAL REPORT
FROM THE CHANCELLOR
My arrival in August 2023 as the University of Tennessee at Martin’s 12th chancellor brought with it personal excitement and anticipation for the opportunity to lead this great university. Even before I arrived, I recognized that a solid base exists to move the institution forward. The university’s faculty and leadership have done an amazing job through many changes and challenges.
My optimism for the future is guided by the university’s Strategic Plan, which provides a roadmap to follow and a framework with which to evaluate progress that will take us to the next level. Much has been accomplished, but much remains to be done. You can see the report’s main goals on page 4 of this report and see the entire document at utm.edu.
The 2023 Chancellor’s Annual Report highlights progress achieved and new goals to attain in the Strategic Plan and points us to the 2025 plan refresh that will take us to 2030. You will also see other accomplishments and milestones that add to the university’s rich history.
Students remain at the center of all we do, so please join me as we work toward new goals, achieve results, and create a university that is welcoming to all. I always value your ideas and input to make the University of Tennessee at Martin the best it can be.
Dr. Yancy Freeman, Chancellor
UT MARTIN
2022-2025
GOAL I
Prepare graduates to be responsible, informed, and engaged citizens in their workplaces and the larger community.
GOAL II
Recruit, retain, and graduate students prepared for careers, professions, and life.
GOAL III
Ensure a campus that is open, accessible, and welcoming to all.
GOAL IV
Promote strategic, sustainable, and responsible stewardship of human, financial, and capital resources in support of university goals and objectives.
GOAL V
Through service and advocacy, UT Martin will improve the vitality and prosperity of West Tennessee and beyond.
Laying the groundwork for any idea or initiative is important to successful implementation and outcome. The university’s 2023 journey included many examples of ideas taking shape, including the university’s support for BlueOval SK. The joint venture between Ford Motor Company and SK On to produce electric trucks starting in 2025 at the Memphis Regional Megasite will transform West Tennessee. A class guided by Dr. Adnan Rasool, assistant professor of political science, worked closely with the City of Stanton to develop community needs assessment surveys and draft development projects. BlueOval SK is an example of a real-world learning opportunity for students that will benefit West Tennessee.
Even the most basic beginning can be a catalyst for future success, and UT Martin is READY on many fronts. With the 2023 appointment of Dr. Yancy Freeman Sr. as the new chancellor and his vision for refreshing the university’s existing Strategic Plan, great things are ahead for a university that is critical to West Tennessee’s growth and prosperity.
Prepare graduates to be responsible, informed, and engaged citizens in their workplaces and the larger community.
• Call Me MiSTER graduates first students – UT Martin’s Call Me MiSTER program honored its first five graduating seniors Monday, April 17, at the 2023 Louis C. Glover UT Martin Call Me MiSTER Celebration held in the Boling University Center. Students in the UT Martin Call Me MiSTER program learn how to change lives through teaching. The event was named in memory of the late Dr. Louis C. Glover, initial program coordinator for the UT Martin Call Me MiSTER program and a Department of Educational Studies faculty member. The celebration was sponsored by Tosh Farms in Henry County, and the celebration programs were donated by Rawls Funeral Homes.
• Technology addresses tornado threat – UT Martin hosted the first Technology Against Tornado Student Competition and Exposition on April 21 in the Latimer-Smith Engineering and Science Building. With rapid growth of emerging technology and the need to protect people and property against tornadoes, the competition aims to inspire and engage students by transforming their innovative ideas into real-world functional products. The event was sponsored by IEEE Computer Society and offered a one-day free summit open to the public.
• Students complete BlueOval City project for City of Stanton – Five College of Business and Global Affairs students who were part of the global experiential learning lab and the international development class presented their final project to the mayor of Stanton, Dr. Allan Sterbinsky. Under the guidance of Dr. Adnan Rasool, assistant professor of political science, the students worked closely with the City of Stanton, located near the BlueOval City site, to develop community needs assessment surveys as well as draft development projects. This experiential learning opportunity was facilitated by the Office of Research, Outreach and Economic Development.
• New dean begins work – Dr. Jeffrey Bibbee joined UT Martin effective June 15, 2023, as the dean of the College of Humanities and Fine Arts. Bibbee came to UT Martin from the University of North Alabama where he served as the associate dean of the UNA College of Arts, Sciences and Engineering. Bibbee has a Ph.D. in history from King’s College London and a B.A. and M.A. in history from Auburn University.
• Freeman named chancellor – The university welcomed a new chancellor after a special meeting of the UT Board of Trustees held July 14. Trustees approved UT System President Randy Boyd’s recommendation that Dr. Yancy Freeman be appointed as the next UT Martin chancellor. Freeman’s appointment was effective Aug. 9, and he succeeded Dr. Keith Carver, who moved to senior vice chancellor/senior vice president of the UT Institute of Agriculture earlier in the year. Freeman had served at UT Chattanooga for the past 25 years in various admissions, recruitment, and enrollment roles.
• Kolitsch named associate provost – Dr. Stephanie Kolitsch was named associate provost for academic affairs. She will continue to manage all accreditation through the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges and institutional effectiveness. Additionally, the academic records office and Honors Programs will now report to her, and she will manage the undergraduate and graduate catalog and the quality-assurance funding report submitted to the Tennessee Higher Education Commission. Kolitsch is a professor in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics and previously served as acting provost.
BlueOval City
Recruit, retain, and graduate students prepared for careers, professions, and life.
• Agricultural grant secured – Dr. Joey Mehlhorn, professor of agricultural economics and the dean of graduate studies, and Dr. Todd Winters, the dean of the College of Agriculture and Applied Sciences, are the co-principal investigators on a grant provided by the federal government to foster the next generation of diverse agricultural professionals across the nation. The $262.5 million investment into institutions of higher education is provided through the U.S. Department of Agriculture and funded through the Inflation Reduction Act. UT Martin’s share of the grant is $186,618.
Call Me MiSTER teacher
Jonathan Utley
Active shooter training involves law enforcement and emergency personnel.
Ensure a campus that is open, accessible, and welcoming to all.
• Active-shooter training held – Law enforcement and other emergency officials joined forces May 25 at UT Martin for an active-shooter training exercise in the Johnson EPS Building. Located next to the Paul Meek Library on Mt. Pelia Road, the building became the scene for three active-shooter scenarios designed to stop the threat and overload local emergency systems.
• O’Neill is new public safety director – Michael O’Neill was announced in June as the next director of the UT Martin Department of Public Safety. O’Neill came to the university after serving 28 years in the Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office in St. Paul, Minnesota, where his most recent rank was commander.
• Scholarship established for low-income students – The Simmons Bank Martin Branch gifted $9,000 to UT Martin as a Simmons Bank Student Development Scholarship for low-income students.
• Access and engagement discussed – UT Martin Chancellor Yancy Freeman led Access and Engagement Town Halls on Sept. 14 and Oct. 2 in Watkins Auditorium. Both were livestreamed and available online. The University of Tennessee System is committed to access and engagement. Recent changes to the federal and state landscapes related to diversity create an opportunity to reflect and reevaluate engagement with students, faculty, and staff. That includes structures, strategies, and metrics related to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Promote strategic, sustainable, and responsible stewardship of human, financial, and capital resources in support of university goals and objectives.
• Grant addresses pandemics – The university received a $500,000 award from the Tennessee Department of Health to provide funding to address the COVID-19 pandemic and other emerging pandemics. Funds will be used to purchase a rapid-response trailer stocked with related supplies and equipment.
• Participates in textbook affordability event – The university and the Textbook Affordability Leadership Team participated in a global, weeklong event called Open Education Week, March 6-10, in partnership with the Tennessee Higher Education Commission’s 2023 Tennessee Open Education Week. Open Education Week has been observed since 2013 and is one of the leading global community events for raising awareness and showcasing exemplary open-education work and textbook affordability worldwide.
• Support for libraries discussed – The UT Martin Paul Meek Library, in collaboration with the Obion River Regional Library, hosted a one-day conference March 22 for library staff from school, public, and academic libraries throughout Northwest Tennessee. The one-day conference, sponsored by the United Way of West Tennessee, welcomed more than 100 participants and was designed to support the region’s public, school, and academic library workers.
• New leadership named – Jessica Cannon-Macklin was welcomed as the new Ripley Center director during a reception. Dr. Simpfronia Taylor transitioned from the director’s position to serve as the center’s grant and community program director. The Ripley Center was dedicated in September 2007 followed by an expansion of the facility that was dedicated in February 2013.
• Hagan leads Physical Plant – Dana Hagan was named the next director of the UT Martin Physical Plant. Hagan came to UT Martin in 2006 as a temporary employee under former Physical Plant Director Tim Nipp. She was named full-time project coordinator in July 2009, the first to fill that position, and assumed additional duties as the associate director in 2020. Hagan is the first female to hold the director’s position.
Library Conference
Dana Hagan
Through service and advocacy, UT Martin will improve the vitality and prosperity of West Tennessee and beyond.
• DETER receives second grant – In November 2021, the criminal justice program received a two-year grant to teach and develop de-escalation techniques for police and first responders and build a training center for that purpose. Two years later, the project received another two-year grant to bolster that mission. Called DETER, the De-Escalation Techniques and Emergency Responses project has proven to be successful, garnering $547,293 in the original grant from U.S. Department of Agriculture Delta Health Care Services. The second phase of the grant program brought an additional $407,000, bringing the total grant investment to $954,293. A big part of the project is to educate the public on how to safely interact with police, understanding the police perspective in risky situations.
Lawrence D. Bromley Training Center
Bromley Training Center Coin
Dr. Brian Donavant, criminal justice professor, operates the de-escalation training simulator.
• Attend Leadership Institute – Three UT Martin representatives attended the 2023 UT Leadership Institute, Feb. 5-10, in Nashville. Dr. Will Bird, associate professor of agricultural education; Dr. Keith Dooley, chair and associate professor, Department of Family and Consumer Sciences; and Kiara Castleman, assistant registrar, attended the leadership-development event with colleagues across the University of Tennessee. The institute was formed in 1981.
• Elam Center Pool closes – The university announced closure of the Elam Center Pool, which was built in 1976. The new UT Martin Campus Master Plan calls for the current pool space to be converted to indoor recreational space.
• New soccer coach named – Athletic Director Kurt McGuffin has announced the hiring of Mike Varga, who owns over 300 career victories at the collegiate level, as the fifth head coach in Skyhawk soccer history. Varga came to UT Martin after nine seasons as head coach at Gardner-Webb University in Boiling Springs, North Carolina. He has accumulated 254 victories over 28 years as a collegiate head women’s soccer coach, including stints at the University of South Alabama (1999-2012) and Lincoln Memorial University (1994-98). He has won three conference championships and coached 78 all-conference honorees over his impressive coaching career.
• Appointed to board – Brian Carroll, the university’s dietetic internship director and a lecturer in the Department of Family and Consumer Sciences, was appointed to the Tennessee Board of Dietician and Nutritionist Examiners by Gov. Bill Lee. Lee appointed Carroll to the position July 6 as a representative of registered dieticians and nutritionists. His term expires June 30, 2026.
• Bell promoted to executive director – Erica Bell was promoted to executive director of regional centers and online programs. Bell’s responsibilities include oversight of the university’s five regional centers in Jackson, Parsons, Ripley, Selmer and Somerville as well as UT Martin Online, provider of the university’s online programs.
Erica Bell
2023 UT Leadership Institute participants
Mike Varga
Once ideas are formed, support takes center stage as ideas begin to take flight. A highlight from 2023 was UT Martin students achieving the university’s highest six-year graduation rate. In addition to academic achievement, UT Martin students participated in leadership-development conferences and competition that showcased skills and provided networking opportunities that will serve UT Martin degree holders as they compete in the world economy. These kinds of achievements and opportunities can only happen because of the people who support new ideas, advocate for funding, and strive to achieve success.
In March 2023, a Celebration of Generosity and Gratitude honored donors by bringing them together with the students who benefited from their generosity. Meanwhile, the RISE Campaign marked the successful conclusion of the largest fundraising effort in the university’s history. UT Martin is SET for what the future will bring.
Prepare graduates to be responsible, informed, and engaged citizens in their workplaces and the larger community.
• Chosen for Reagan Faculty Leave – Dr. Matthew Braddock, professor of philosophy, was chosen to receive the 2023-24 Hal and Alma Reagan Faculty Leave. Braddock will take his leave during the spring 2024 semester and will research medical ethics. The Hal and Alma Reagan Faculty Leave Program is a faculty-development program that enables participants to become more effective teachers and scholars by engaging in a variety of academic/renewal experiences.
• Opening meeting includes new chancellor – The University-Wide Opening Meeting was held Monday, Aug. 14, in the Boling University Center’s Watkins Auditorium, and for the first time, the event that welcomed new and returning faculty also recognized new and returning staff members. Among the newcomers to the event was Dr. Yancy Freeman, the university chancellor who began his tenure on Aug. 9.
• Teaches in Nigeria – Dr. Violet Bumah, an assistant professor of chemistry at UT Martin, took part in the Carnegie African Diaspora fellowship at the University of Calabar in Nigeria, helping to teach biochemistry, chemistry and microbiology students abroad. The fellowship began May 22 and lasted through Aug. 18.
• Students return for fall 2023 semester – Students returned to campus Aug. 17 to open Welcome Weekend with Move-In Mania. A first-ever Welcome Home Picnic was held at 6 p.m. when students, faculty, and staff mingled, enjoyed a cookout dinner, and relaxed after the day’s move-in activities. Classes began Aug. 21 at the main campus and five regional centers.
Recruit, retain, and graduate students prepared for careers, professions, and life.
• Sharing the science – Sixteen faculty, graduate, and undergraduate students attended the UT Martin-Murray State Sigma Xi Joint Research Symposium on Saturday, April 1, in the new Latimer-Smith Engineering and Science Building. Established in 1886 at Cornell University, Sigma Xi was designed to encourage a sense of companionship and cooperation among scientists in all fields.
• Highest six-year graduation rate – Dr. Philip Acree Cavalier, provost and senior vice chancellor for academic affairs, reported to the UTM Advisory Board that 54.8% of the university’s first-year students enrolling in fall 2017 graduated by June 2023. This is the highest six-year graduation rate since records on that statistic have been kept. He credited that success to UTM Director of Undergraduate Admissions Destin Tucker – this was her first recruiting class at UT Martin – as well as the university’s faculty and staff. The advisory board met Friday, Sept. 8, in the Boling University Center. The meeting was the first for Dr. Yancy Freeman as chancellor.
Fall 2023 Graduates
Jemele Hill, Civil Rights Conference
WestStar African American Youth Leadership Conference
Ensure a campus that is open, accessible, and welcoming to all.
• Civil Rights Conference held for 23rd year – The 23rd Civil Rights Conference in February addressed the theme “Who Will Stand in the Gap? A Clarion Call for Justice Seekers.” The conference brought nationally recognized individuals to campus to address topics on justice and equity, including sports journalist Jemele Hill.
• African American Youth Leadership Summit held – More than 100 West Tennessee high school sophomores registered to attend the WestStar Leadership Program’s first in-person ALStar African American Youth Leadership Summit on Feb. 14 at the West Tennessee AgResearch and Education Center in Jackson. The inaugural summit was held in 2021 and held virtually until 2023.
• Bike-Share Program adds wheels – The UT Martin Center for Sustainability and Department of Agriculture, Geoscience, and Natural Resources funded purchase of five additional bikes for the Bike-Share program, expanding the fleet to 10. The original bikes and docking stations were purchased in January 2021. The bicycles can be checked out to provide transportation around the main campus.
• Banquet concludes Pride Year – The Center for Women and Gender Equality held their “Everyone is Awesome” banquet as a culmination of Pride Year and to celebrate the LGBTQ community and allies, April 11, in the Boling University Center. During the event, Tammy Stanford, a student success counselor, was given the second annual Elliot McKeel Ally Award for a faculty or staff member who exemplifies allyship and advocacy. Tammy is known for supporting her students, being a voice for them and generally creating a welcoming and accepting environment on campus. The award is named after Elliot McKeel, a UTM student who died in July 2021. Elliot was an advocate for LGBTQ students on campus.
Promote strategic, sustainable, and responsible stewardship of human, financial, and capital resources in support of university goals and objectives.
• Generosity and gratitude recognized – Current UT Martin students and donors gathered March 7 in the Duncan Ballroom for the 2023 Celebration of Generosity and Gratitude, an event organized by the Division of University Advancement. The evening connected scholarship supporters with students who benefit from individual giving.
• New Jackson Center director named – Anita Cannedy was named director of the UT Martin Jackson Center. Prior to attaining this position, she served as the director of Jackson Christian School secondary campus since 2017.
Bike-Share Program
Generosity and Gratitude
Donors Rita and Mike Maness with recipient Bentley Gordon
Through service and advocacy, UT Martin will improve the vitality and prosperity of West Tennessee and beyond.
• Named executive director – Alisha Melton was named executive director for the Office of Research, Outreach and Economic Development. She previously served as interim executive director since October 2021. The office coordinates research and sponsored programs, university outreach, and UT Martin’s economic development initiatives.
• MBA program director appointed – Jenny Killebrew was promoted to director of the university’s MBA program and undergraduate student services in the College of Business and Global Affairs.
• Appointed to search committee – Dr. Philip Acree Cavalier served on the search committee for a new Jackson State Community College president. Dr. Flora Tidings, chancellor, Tennessee Board of Regents, appointed the committee members.
• Students participate in leadership summit – The WestStar Leadership Program hosted its annual RisingStar Leadership Summit on Nov. 9 at the Boling University Center and Nov. 10 at the Student Recreation Center. Students from several counties across West Tennessee took part in leadership building activities and took individual campus tours based on their career choice.
Alisha Melton
• MLK Event features Lane College president – UT Martin student Justice Watkins and Lane College President Logan Hampton were keynote speakers for the annual Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration and Breakfast on Jan. 16 in the Martin Event Center. The celebration, first held in 2013, was sponsored by the city of Martin, the university and the UTM Black Student Association.
• Performs at Carnegie Hall – Dr. Chan Mi Jean, a lecturer of music in collaborative piano, performed Jan. 24 at the Joan and Sanford I. Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall. She was invited to perform after placing first in the piano category of the 8th New York International Concours in June 2022.
• Education Summit held – The WestStar Leadership Program’s WestTeach class of 2022 hosted the 2023 West Tennessee Education Summit on March 10 at the West Tennessee AgResesearch and Education Center in Jackson. The summit brought together communities, business leaders, school and district leaders, high school students, and elected officials to showcase best practices in the classroom and discuss ways to implement change.
• Exhibit features “I Am Who I Am” – The art exhibit called “I Am Who I Am. We Are Who We Are” opened in the Paul Meek Library, Wednesday, March 29. Artist Amy Bartell discussed her project, a part of the Pride Year celebration through the Center for Women and Gender Equality. Bartell interviewed students, faculty, and staff and created compositions that capture the individual stories but also demonstrate that we are all connected. During the artist talk, Bartell shared inspiration for her artwork and appreciation of the UTM community in their support for this exhibit. The exhibit remained in the library through the end of the semester.
• Take Back the Night March held – Students, faculty, and staff participated in the Take Back the Night March Monday, April 3, as part of Sexual Assault Awareness Month, which is nationally recognized during the month of April. Participants gathered at the Boling University Center patio to hear the history of the movement and learn about resources and support for survivors of sexual assault. Martin Mayor Randy Brundige signed a proclamation declaring that April be recognized as Sexual Assault Awareness Month, and students, faculty, and staff received flashlights before taking a lighted march through the quad.
UT Martin student Justice Watkins
Dr. Chan Mi Jean, Carnegie Hall
• African American Leadership Conference held – The UT Martin WestStar Leadership Program hosted the 24th African American Leadership Conference Tuesday, April 18, at the West Tennessee AgResearch and Education Center in Jackson. The conference connects African Americans in leadership positions and diverse work environments throughout West Tennessee.
• Win OVC championship – History was made April 29 in the Ohio Valley Conference Beach Volleyball Championship finals as UT Martin won the championship for the second straight season following a 3-0 sweep of Morehead State. The victory capped off a true undefeated run through OVC play as the Skyhawks followed a 10-0 regular season with three sweeps in the league’s championship event.
• Gibson highlights fossil research – The UT Martin Research Series moved off-campus May 9 to the Martin Public Library to highlight the work of Dr. Michael Gibson, professor of geology and director of the UT Martin Coon Creek Science Center. He offered highlights of his lifetime study of fossils from around the world, with particular emphasis on work in West Tennessee. He has documented and named new species, has had fossil species (and a shark) named in his honor, and is credited with finding Tennessee’s first dinosaur skull. Gibson shared stories about the “perils” of fossicking, including being robbed in the Guatemalan jungle and diving adventures with sharks, barracuda, and octopi.
• Finishes strong in OVC Commissioner’s Cup – For the second straight academic year, UT Martin generated its highest finish in the Ohio Valley Conference Commissioner’s Cup standings. Created prior to the 2008-09 academic year, the OVC Commissioner’s Cup is a symbol of overall athletic excellence in conferencesponsored championships. The Skyhawks compiled 83.5 points overall, which ranked fifth in the conference standings. That tally trailed only Southeast Missouri (102 points), Tennessee Tech (90.5), Eastern Illinois (89) and Little Rock (86.5) in the top five. Trailing UT Martin were Tennessee State (63.5), SIUE (61.5), Morehead State (61.5), Southern Indiana (57), and Lindenwood (46.5).
Ohio Valley Conference Beach Volleyball Champions
Coon Creek Science Center fossils
• Baseball earns tournament appearance – Fresh off its best Ohio Valley Conference finish in school history, the Skyhawk baseball squad earned a spot in the OVC Championship held at Mountain Dew Park in Marion, Illinois.
• Rodeo team competes in NCFR – The UT Martin Rodeo team competed in the College National Finals Rodeo on June 11-17 at the Ford Wyoming Center in Casper, Wyoming. The Skyhawk men’s team completed the regular season ranked No. 7 nationally with 5,630 points. By placing second in the Ozark Region, the UT Martin cowboys automatically qualified to compete for a national championship – accomplishing that feat for the 48th time in the last 49 years.
• Beach volleyball honored – UT Martin earned the Ohio Valley Conference Team Sportsmanship Award in beach volleyball for the first time in school history. This marks the third year for this award in the sport of beach volleyball as Eastern Kentucky won in 2020-21 and Eastern Illinois was voted the winner for the 2021-22 campaign.
• Advisory Board meets – A 3% overall increase in tuition and mandatory fees, including a 2% tuition increase, was part of UT Martin’s proposed 2023-24 budget that was approved by the UTM Advisory Board during its summer meeting May 26 in the Boling University Center. The proposed budget went to the UT Board of Trustees for consideration at the board’s annual meeting June 29-30 at the UT Health Science Center in Memphis.
• Selected for leadership group – Dr. Jamie Mantooth, executive director of enrollment services and student engagement, was recently accepted into the eighth cohort of the Complete Tennessee Leadership Institute. Twentysix leaders from higher education, K-12, business, and nonprofit sectors were selected for the one-year program that allowed them to understand key higher education and workforce data and develop regional advocacy strategies to ensure more students are earning degrees and credentials that prepare them for careers. The CTLI is a partnership of the State Collaborative on Reforming Education (SCORE) and The Hunt Institute.
• Historic Grove Apartments demolished – Demolition of Grove Apartments began Dec. 4, which signaled the official end of a long-standing campus landmark. The apartments were built in 1964-65 to house a growing number of married students. The complex also supplemented housing for single male students until new men’s dormitories were completed in 1966-67. The space will initially provide more green space and a gathering point for different activities.
Grove Apartments demolition
From nationally-ranked academic programs to realizing leadership opportunities, UT Martin found many opportunities to SOAR in 2023. In addition to championship teams, university athletes excelled in the classroom, as Skyhawk athletics earned a 3.24 cumulative grade-point average during the fall 2023 term. The achievement marked the eighth consecutive semester that UT Martin student-athletes have accumulated at least a 3.20 cumulative GPA.
Success and inclusion go hand in hand, and UT Martin soars with its history as an inclusive university. The university played a major role in the first 50 years of Title IX and celebrated Jan. 24 with an event that recalled the anniversary of the landmark legislation. Residence halls were named during 2023 Homecoming for African American pioneers who chose UT Martin as their college home, and the WestStar Leadership Program held its third African American Youth Leadership Summit in Jackson, the first in-person summit since the pandemic. In many ways, 2023 was a year for Skyhawks to take flight.
Prepare graduates to be responsible, informed, and engaged citizens in their workplaces and the larger community.
• Students attend Southeast Journalism Conference – Thirteen UT Martin students attended the Southeast Journalism Conference, Feb. 9-11, in Thibodaux, Louisiana. Among the honors earned by the university during the annual SEJC was WUTM-FM 90.3 “The Hawk” being named the “Best College Radio Station in the South.”
• Ranked nationally – UT Martin was ranked nationally and in Tennessee for online program quality by two ranking services. The university’s Online MBA Program was tied for 51st out of 344 ranked schools, and online education programs tied for 169th place among 329 ranked universities in the U.S. News and World Report’s 2023 Best Online Programs. Also, Intelligent.com, a resource for program rankings and higher education planning, included UT Martin among the top-10 Best Online Colleges in Tennessee in 2023.
• Online history program recognized – UT Martin received a national ranking by Best Accredited Colleges for its online history program. UT Martin was ranked 31st in the country and recognized for its financial aid awards, quality of education, faculty and campus resources.
• Rankings include UT Martin – UT Martin ranked highly in several college and university rankings issued by University Headquarters. Also known as UniversityHQ, University Headquarters compiles a list of more than 4,000 schools and ranks them in several categories. The 2023 rankings included: Online degrees in Tennessee: 10th; Best Affordable Economics Degree, National: 53rd; Most Affordable Colleges for Accounting, National: 95th; Most Affordable Business Management Degree, National: 97th; Best Master’s Degree in Tennessee: 17th; Best Bachelor’s Degree in Tennessee: 18th; and Best MBA Degree in Tennessee: 19th.
• Publishes book – Dr. Adnan Rasool, assistant professor of political science, announced the publication of his book, “Sabotage: Lessons in Bureaucratic Governance from Pakistan, Taiwan and Turkey.” The book answers the question, “How does a state continue functioning and ensuring public service delivery even during times of political crisis?” by arguing that it is a high-quality bureaucracy operating with institutional autonomy.
• Travel to New Zealand – Five UTM faculty and staff members and six students from the College of Business and Global Affairs visited UTM’s newest study-abroad location, the University of Otago in Dunedin, New Zealand, in August. Faculty, staff, and students were welcomed to campus with a Maori ceremony and the Otago study-abroad team, and for several days, the group attended classes, stayed in the international student housing, visited the residential colleges, dined on campus, and visited student organizations and student recreation.
• U.S. News rankings announced – The 2024 U.S. News & World Report university rankings were released Sept. 15, and UT Martin was tied for 27th among Southern regional universities. UT Martin tied for eighth among regional universities in the South in the Best Colleges for Veterans category and ranked 26th among regional universities of the South in best value.
Faculty in New Zealand
Mayor Randy Brundige and WUTM’s Colby Maclin celebrate World College Radio Day.
Princeton Review lists UT Martin – The Princeton Review placed UT Martin among its top 109 colleges and universities in the South region. The 2024 ranking marks the 21st consecutive year for UT Martin to be listed among the top colleges and universities in the
Online programs ranked – The university’s online programs ranked fifth among Tennessee colleges and universities by Online Masters Colleges, a resource that ranks online higher education degree programs. The ranking was based on OMC’s comprehensive evaluation process, which assesses universities on multiple factors such as graduation and retention rates, affordability and program accreditation.
Freeman tour concludes – The “Take Flight with Freeman Tour” that introduced UT Martin Chancellor Yancy Freeman to people across West and Middle Tennessee ended Tuesday, Nov. 28, in Shelby County. The tour took Freeman to several high schools in West and Middle Tennessee to talk with students about their future at UT Martin. He also visited several cities throughout the region. The tour began Aug. 18 – just nine days after taking office – in Martin. Visits to Nashville, Union City, Dyersburg, Ripley, Paris, Somerville, Jackson, and Parsons followed during the next three months.
• Athletics earns academic honors – Skyhawk athletics earned a 3.24 cumulative grade-point average during the fall 2023 term, continuing an incredible run of academic success for the program. Fall marked the eighth straight semester that UT Martin student-athletes have accumulated at least a 3.20 cumulative GPA. Overall, 233 Skyhawks earned Athletic Director Honor Roll accolades by maintaining at least a 3.0 cumulative GPA. A total of 61 UT Martin student-athletes achieved perfect 4.0 GPAs for the fall 2023 semester, 26 of which kept an unblemished 4.0 for their collegiate careers.
“Take Flight with Freeman Tour”
Martin
Recruit, retain, and graduate students prepared for careers, professions, and life.
• Super Bowl cohort represents UTM – UT Martin’s 10th student cohort attended and worked the mega sports event Feb. 12 in Glendale, Arizona, led by Dr. Dexter Davis in the College of Business and Global Affairs. The experiential-learning opportunity included time assisting with operations at the TPC Scottsdale for the Waste Management Phoenix Open, part of the PGA Tour.
• Win banking competition – The Conference of State Bank Supervisors named a student team from UT Martin as winner of the 2023 Community Bank Case Study Competition. The announcement came July 12 from the Conference of State Bank Supervisors (CSBS). The Conference of State Bank Supervisors is the national organization of bank regulators from all 50 states, American Samoa, District of Columbia, Guam, Puerto Rico, and U.S. Virgin Islands. The members of the UT Martin team are May 2023 graduates Dan Hoffman of McKenzie, Cole Hollis of Trenton, and Abbey Strong of Cookeville, and December 2023 graduates Ben Arnold of Henderson and Libby Rushton of Waverly. John Clark, Dr. Lajuan Davis, and Dr. Mark Farley, all in the College of Business and Global Affairs, served as faculty advisors.
• Participate in conference – The computer science department’s senior seminar class attended the ACM Conference Nov. 16-17 in Gatlinburg. Sixteen students participated, presenting a total of five team projects with two teams securing top-three placements.
• Freeman presides over first commencement – Dr. Yancy Freeman presided over his first UT Martin commencement ceremonies as chancellor Dec. 9 at the Kathleen and Tom Elam Center. Kim Seymour, a 1992 graduate and the chief human resources officer for Etsy.com, delivered the commencement address to a total of 345 participants at the 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. ceremonies. UT System President Randy Boyd conferred degrees for the summer and fall graduates.
Computer science student Jackson Horton participated in the ACM Conference.
2023 Super Bowl student cohort
Ensure a campus that is open, accessible, and welcoming to all.
• Title IX celebrated – The 50-year anniversary of Title IX was celebrated Jan. 24 with a panel discussion in Watkins Auditorium featuring Dr. Mary Ellen Pethel, Belmont University faculty member and author of the book “Title IX, Pat Summitt, and Tennessee Trail Blazers: 50 Years, 50 Stories.” The panel featured UT Martin Athletics Hall of Fame members Bettye Giles (1985), Lin Dunn (2010), Dr. Lucia Jones (1993), and Julia Brundige (2004).
• Attention to military members and veterans – UT Martin earned the 2023-2024 Military Friendly® School gold ranking in the small public category for the support provided to military veterans who attend the university. The Military Friendly® Schools survey is the longest-running, most comprehensive review of college and university investments in serving military and veteran students.
• During Homecoming Weekend on Oct. 20, two residence facilities were named in honor of two UT Martin pioneers: Arnold Pryor Place in honor of Jessie Lou Arnold Pryor, the first African-American student at UT Martin, and Conner Community in honor of Harold Conner Sr., the first African-American administrator at UT Martin.
• Speaker series begins – The inaugural Dr. Henry H. Parker Speaker Series and Legacy Luncheon was held Friday, Oct. 20, at the Duncan Ballroom in the Boling University Center featuring guest speaker Dr. Ibram Kendi. For 33 years, Dr. Henry H. Parker was a philosophy faculty member at UT Martin. Before his UT Martin service, he was a faculty member for 25 years at the University of Northern Iowa. He served as an instructor at the University of Minnesota-Morris for four years. Parker was previously honored Feb. 7 during the university’s annual Civil Rights Conference for his long association with the event.
Military Friendly School
Harold Conner Jr. speaks during Conner Community naming.
Promote strategic, sustainable, and responsible stewardship of human, financial, and capital resources in support of university goals and objectives.
• Latimer-Smith Building opens – The new Latimer-Smith Engineering and Science Building opened with the first day of spring 2023 classes. A $6.5 million gift by Bill and Carol Latimer of Union City made the $65 million, 120,000-square-foot building possible. The building was dedicated Oct. 27, 2022.
• RISE Campaign ends with celebration – Raising $178.2 million is a good reason to celebrate, and UT Martin friends and supporters did just that with a dinner and celebration event Friday evening, Aug. 11, at Discovery Park of America in Union City. The RISE Campaign, the largest fundraising effort in the university’s history, officially concluded as more than 150 guests gathered at Dinosaur Hall to thank campaign leadership and donors for exceeding the $175 million goal before the June 30 campaign close. A total of 14,751 donors contributed to the campaign that will support student scholarships, athletics, capital projects, and more.
• Receives first scholarship – Aaron Hasapis, a police officer in Bolivar, was the first recipient of the Robert Kirk Lee Scholarship at the UT Martin McNairy County Center/Selmer. He was announced as the winner at the start of the 2023-24 school year. The scholarship assists non-traditional students. Lee’s widow, Susan, established a scholarship at the center in her late husband’s name. Robert Lee was an adjunct professor there since the center opened in 1998. Lee died in November 2022. He was the youngest person to be elected sheriff of McNairy County, serving from 1982 to 1994, becoming the first person to serve three consecutive terms.
Latimer-Smith Engineering and Science Building
Aaron Hasapis pinning
Ashley Vance of the Ripley Center staff, Ripley Mayor Craig Fitzhugh, and UT Martin’s Erica Bell celebrate the new Ripley Center mural.
UT President Randy Boyd at the RISE Campaign Celebration
Through service and advocacy, UT Martin will improve the vitality and prosperity of West Tennessee and beyond.
• Named Featured Faculty Scholar – Dr. Angie MacKewn, professor in the Department of Psychology, was recognized as the spring semester Featured Faculty Scholar. She presented about her research Jan. 19 in a presentation titled “Metabolic & Psychological Improvements After Clean Keto & Intermittent Fasting.”
• Conference holds 25th event – The WestStar Leadership Program’s 25th Working Women’s Conference was held Feb. 10 in the Boling University Center featuring the conference theme “Life is a Highway.” The conference welcomed more than 220 participants.
• WestStar graduates 33rd class – The WestStar Leadership Program graduated its 2023 class Tuesday, June 20, in the Boling University Center’s Duncan Ballroom. A 5:30 p.m. reception was followed by dinner at 6, and the graduation ceremony concluded the program. Dr. Charley Deal, vice chancellor for university advancement, emceed the annual event. Hannah Stewart, Office of University Relations, and Laura Suiter, Office of Development, represented UT Martin in this year’s class.
• Conference marks 25th year – The 25th Mid-South Agricultural Finance Conference was held Aug. 9 in Watkins Auditorium. The conference is mutually hosted by the UT Martin Gilbert Parker Chair of Excellence and the Horace and Sara Dunagan Chair of Excellence in Banking. Dr. David Kohl, professor emeritus from Virginia Tech, sponsored by Farm Credit Mid-America, was the keynote speaker and has participated in all 25 conferences.
• Mural campaign includes Ripley Center mural – Lauderdale County received its first “Everywhere You Look, UT” mural in November on the city’s farmers market. This is the 43rd Tennessee county to welcome a mural in the statewide University of Tennessee System campaign. The UT System has a goal to paint a mural in each of the state’s 95 counties by 2030 to remind residents and travelers of UT’s presence in their lives. In addition to the campaign mural on the south-facing roof of the farmers market, a second mural promoting the UT Martin Ripley Center is displayed on the north-facing wall of the structure.
• Carver selected to fill UTIA position – Dr. Keith Carver was selected by UT System President Randy Boyd and UT Knoxville Chancellor Donde Plowman as the new leader of the UT Institute of Agriculture. Carver began the interim position March 1 following UT Board of Trustee approval. He had served as UT Martin chancellor since January 2017. Provost and Senior Vice Chancellor Philip Acree Cavalier was named to serve as UT Martin interim chancellor.
• Pat Summitt remembered – “We Back Pat” Night was held Feb. 23 when Skyhawk basketball welcomed Tennessee State to the Elam Center for a doubleheader. Donations were accepted for the Pat Summitt Foundation and its work to support Alzheimer’s disease research and awareness. Summitt was a 1974 UTM graduate and is a UT Martin Athletics Hall of Fame member.
• Named top engineer – Brian Qualls, senior broadcast engineer for WUTM 90.3 “The Hawk” and UTM Television, was the 2023 recipient of the Tom Gibson Award for Outstanding Engineering, awarded annually by the Intercollegiate Broadcasting System. The honor was announced at the annual conference of the organization, held in March in New York City.
• Honored by the OVC – Dr. Mahmoud Haddad, professor of finance, was honored by the Ohio Valley Conference during the OVC Basketball Championship, March 1-4, in Evansville, Indiana, when he was announced as UT Martin’s Outstanding Faculty Commitment to Student Success Award recipient. The awards were created by the provosts from OVC-member institutions to recognize outstanding faculty members at each school.
“You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown” production
• Earn recognition – The Office of University Relations earned several awards from the 2022 Collegiate Advertising Awards in the 2022 national competition. All awards were announced in March and were based on entries from schools with enrollments between 5,001 and 10,000 students. The 2021 Chancellor’s Annual Report received a Gold Award for annual reports; a Parsons Center T-shirt design earned a Silver Award in the advertising specialty category; and a photo titled “Dresden Tornado Clean-Up” earned a Silver Award in the photo/illustration category.
• Musical presented – The Department of Visual and Theatre Arts presented the two-act musical “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown,” March 2-5, in the Harriet Fulton Theatre.
Celebrating Greek Life – Greek Fest, a traditional weeklong celebration of UT Martin Greek life, was held March 6-10. Among the week’s activities, service night March 7 featured Greek chapters packing Narcan bags for the
Brain Awareness Day observed – Hearing and brain awareness activities took center stage March 11 during a Brain Awareness Day event March 11 at the Martin Public Library. Department of Biological Sciences students and faculty members, University Scholars, Westview High School STEM Club members, the Martin Kiwanis Club, and Martin Public Library staff operated six learning stations for visitors. A second Brain Awareness Day was held April 15 at Discovery Park of America and offered by university faculty and students.
2022 Collegiate Advertising Award Winners
Line Dance
• Naming honors Carpenter – Retired Skyhawk golf coach Jerry Carpenter was surprised March 25 with a ceremony at the Rhodes Golf Center that announced the naming of the outdoor portion of the facility in his honor. Carpenter spent 18 seasons as head golf coach. Attendees in the large crowd included community members, former players and Bill Rhodes, UT Board of Trustees member and president and CEO of Autozone, Inc. Rhodes is in the UT Martin Athletics Hall of Fame as an accomplished member of the golf team. A gift from the Rhodes family made the golf center possible.
• Students attend apparel and accessories market – Students in the UT Martin chapter of the Fashion Merchandising Association visited the Atlanta Apparel and Accessories Market on March 29-April 1. The market helped educate the students on wholesale buying, fall trends, and fashion shows. Dr. Mercan Derafshi, assistant professor of fashion merchandising, accompanied the students on the trip.
• Captain’s Challenge exceeds donor goal – UT Martin raised over $440,000 and exceeded its donor goal of 1,600 individuals with 1,643 gifts made during the ninth annual “Captain’s Challenge” held April 5.
• Receives Beth Maloan Award – Emily Pennington received the spring 2023 Beth Maloan Outstanding Student Employee award for her outstanding job performance and dedication to the university. Pennington was a senior mass media and strategic communication major from McMinnville who was the writing intern in the Office of University Relations for the 2022-23 academic year.
• 55th Rodeo held – The 55th Spring College Rodeo was held April 13-15 at the Ned McWherter Agricultural Complex. The traditional event brings top college rodeo teams to campus for week of related activities and competition.
Honored for TVA Investment Challenge service – Dr. Mahmoud Haddad, professor of finance, was recognized for providing an invaluable educational investment opportunity to UT Martin students at the TVA Investment Challenge Program conference April 17-18 in Nashville. UT Martin was also recognized for its 25-year partnership with the TVA Investment Challenge Program.
Jerry Carpenter
Emily Pennington
• Rodeo team honored – The university’s 2014 men’s rodeo team was honored when university officials presented permanent signage on University Street on the north edge of campus, Saturday, April 15, touting the program’s national championship. The Skyhawks made history after becoming the first collegiate team located east of the Mississippi River to win the national men’s rodeo team championship. John Luthi, who retired in the summer of 2022 after 25 years as head rodeo coach, returned to Martin for the dedication ceremony.
• Weakley County Chamber event honors individuals – Five university employees were recognized during the Weakley County Chamber of Commerce Annual Awards Banquet, April 18, in the Duncan Ballroom. Emma Bruner, Office of University Relations; Lindee McCurley, Boling University Center; and Jennifer Smiley, WestStar Leadership Program, graduated with the 2023 Leadership Weakley County Class. Jennifer Cooper, Office of Research, Outreach and Economic Development, received the Emerging Leader Award presented by the Weakley County Young Professionals. The event’s conclusion was highlighted by David Belote, Office of Campus Recreation, receiving the Weakley Countian of the Year Award. He was honored for his long service to the area, including multiple years as a Martin alderman and executive director of the Tennessee Soybean Festival. Belote retired in summer 2023 from the university as interim director of campus recreation.
• Honored for work with adult learners – Alex Beene, an adjunct instructor for the Office of University Outreach, received the 2023 Edgar M. Easley Outstanding Teacher Award from the Coalition on Adult Basic Education. This award “is given to an individual who understands the characteristics of the adult learner and who is committed to the adult/continuing education profession.”
• Honored as top employees – Dana Hagan of the Physical Plant and Bryan Dean of the Department of Chemistry and Physics received spring 2023 Outstanding Employee Awards for their university work. The awards were presented April 14 during the spring semester clerical and support staff coffee in the Boling University Center.
John Luthi
• Student leaders chosen – The Agriculture Future of America Organization released selections for some of its most exclusive recognitions, and four students from UT Martin were among those chosen. Victoria Holliday, a junior agricultural engineering technology major from Lexington, Kentucky; Sarah Tyler, a sophomore agricultural business student from McEwen; Libby Rushton, a junior agricultural business major from Waverly; and Bree Mills, a sophomore agricultural education major from Decaturville, were selected to participate in different AFA leadership activities.
• Faculty members receive awards – UT Martin teaching award recipients were honored April 16 during the university’s annual Honors Day event held in Watkins Auditorium. Faculty and student award recipients from the past academic year were recognized. Faculty members honored were Dr. Matthew Braddock, professor of philosophy, Cunningham Outstanding Teacher/Scholar Award; Dr. David Dietrich, associate professor of counseling psychology, UT Alumni Association Outstanding Teacher Award; Dr. John Oelrich, associate professor of music, Coffey Outstanding Teaching Award; Dr. Renee LaFleur, associate professor of history, UT Alumni Association Outstanding Teacher Award; and Tomi McCutchen, instructor of mass media and strategic communication, Outstanding Academic Advisor Award.
• Communication alums honored – The Department of Mass Media and Strategic Communication presented Amy Dysinger McCollom with its Outstanding Young Alumni Award and Dave Parker with its 2023 Distinguished Alumni Award during an end-of-semester reception. McCollom, a 2012 UT Martin graduate, is the associate director of project management at Ramsey Solutions in Nashville. Parker is a 1986 graduate and is a radio and digital marketing consultant for Forever Communications in Jackson.
• May commencement features Ford executive - Liliana Ramirez, global director for workforce development, Ford Motor Co., delivered the commencement address at both ceremonies May 6 in the Kathleen and Tom Elam Center. She spoke about the importance of resilience for success in life. Interim chancellor Dr. Philip Acree Cavalier presided over the two ceremonies and conferred degrees. Dr. Bernard Savarese, acting vice president, UT Office of Academic Affairs and Student Success, represented the UT System.
Liliana Ramirez, Ford Motor Co.
• Receive Paul Meek Awards – Gracie Barber, of Kansas City, Missouri, and Tia Moore, of Collierville, were each presented with Paul and Martha Meek Leadership Awards during the second spring commencement ceremony May 6. These are the only awards given during commencement each semester and showcase students who have displayed outstanding community and campus service.
• Complete Citizens Police Academy – Courtney Roberts (Office of Research, Outreach and Economic Development), Hannah Stewart and Emma Bruner (Office of University Relations), and Laura Plunk (Office of Educational Studies) graduated May 4 from the City of Martin’s Citizens Police Academy. The academy is a nineweek class in which citizens learn what police do daily while also participating in two ride-along opportunities throughout the nine weeks.
• Memorial Day Commemoration held – The 23rd Memorial Day Commemoration was held May 26 between the Paul Meek Library and Boling University Center. U.S. Rep. David Kustoff (R-8th District) offered a legislative welcome and retired U.S. Army Lt. Gen. Dennis Cavin, a UT Martin graduate, was the guest speaker.
• Carpenter named to OVC Hall of Fame – Longtime Skyhawks head golf coach Jerry Carpenter was one of three inductees elected to the OVC Hall of Fame Class of 2023. Carpenter joined the late Middle Tennessee head track and field coach Dean Hayes and former SIUE head softball coach Sandy Montgomery in this year’s class. That trio was officially inducted at the annual OVC Honors Brunch held Friday, June 2, in Nashville.
• Presents documentary – Henri Giles presented her documentary “Waiting in the Wings: African Americans in Country Music” on June 7 at the National Museum of African-American Music in Nashville as part the lead-up to the Country Music Association Festival. Giles, an instructor in the UTM Department of Mass Media and Strategic Communication, produced “Waiting in the Wings” in 2004, featuring the history of country music through the African-American perspective, starting with its roots in American slavery and moving to the 21st century.
• Receive President’s Awards – Four UT Martin faculty and staff members received 2023 President’s Awards, announced by UT System President Dr. Randy Boyd during the annual UT Board of Trustees meeting June 30 in Memphis. The four recipients were the most of any UT System campus or unit. Those honored were–Embrace Diversity Award, faculty: Henrietta Giles, a lecturer in the Department of Mass Media and Strategic Communication; Excel in All We Do Award, faculty: Dr. Stephanie Kolitsch, the interim provost and senior vice chancellor for academic affairs as well as the director of accreditation and liaison to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges; United and Connected Award, faculty: Dr. Clinton Smith, a professor and chair of the Department of Educational Studies; and Optimistic and Visionary Employees Award, staff: Destin Tucker, the director of undergraduate admissions.
• Soybean Festival celebrates 30 years – UT Martin partnered with the city of Martin and many others to sponsor the 30th annual Tennessee Soybean Festival, Sept. 2-9. UT Martin has been a festival partner since the event’s conception.
• 65th pageant held – Maleia Bigham, a sophomore fine and performing arts major from Turtletown, Tennessee, won the Miss UT Martin title during the 65th Miss University of Tennessee at Martin Scholarship Pageant on Sept. 10 in Watkins Auditorium. Bigham will next compete in the statewide Miss Tennessee Volunteer Scholarship Pageant set for July 2024 at the Carl Perkins Center in Jackson.
• Board of Governors meets – The UT National Alumni Association Board of Governors met Sept. 14-15 in Martin, one of board’s three annual meetings. The board heard presentations about current UT Martin programs, toured the campus and shared ideas. UT Martin graduates on the 32-member board are Dr. Levi Pointer, Memphis; Dr. Jimmie Mancell, Memphis; William Winstead, Memphis; Dr. Jackie Johnson, assistant vice chancellor of alumni relations and annual giving, Martin; Tanika Lester, Memphis; April Armstrong, Memphis; and Dr. Cindy Brasher, Memphis.
Performs for Ed Sargent Guest Artist Series – Kallen Esperian brought her world-renowned vocal talents to UT Martin on Tuesday, Sept. 12, in the Harriet Fulton Theatre in the Fine Arts Building. The performance was the fall semester’s performance for the university’s Ed Sargent Guest Artist Series. The guest artist series is named for UT Martin graduate Ed Sargent, a Bolivar native. Sargent is a Grammy-nominated producer who also manages musical acts that tour extensively in the U.S., Canada, and 38 other countries around the globe.
Maleia Bigham, Miss UT Martin
• Oracle dedicated Oct. 20 – Dr. Paul Blaylock spoke at the dedication ceremony for the Blaylock Inspiration Oracle on Oct. 20. The open-air structure was made possible through a $2.4 million donation by Blaylock. He is a 1968 UT Martin graduate who later earned medical and law degrees.
• Homecoming Awards presented – Three alumni were recognized with awards during Homecoming festivities on Oct. 21.Those earning alumni awards were: Brandon Anderson, Outstanding Young Alumni Award: Anderson is a 2019 UTM graduate with a bachelor’s degree in health and human performance. He is a financial planner with Prudential Advisors and is a resident of Frisco, Texas; Dr. Julie Basler, Outstanding Alumni Award: Basler is a 1995 UTM graduate with a bachelor’s degree in English, earning her master’s degree in English from Murray State University and doctorate in English from Middle Tennessee State University. A resident of Aurora, Colorado, she is the president of Platt College in Greenwood Village, Colorado, and the author of three Pearson writing workbooks and several national articles; and James Wingett, University Service Award: Wingett is a 1983 graduate of UT Martin with a bachelor’s degree in business administration. He also attended the Stonier Graduate School of Banking at the University of Delaware. A resident of Memphis, Wingett has 40 years of experience in financial services, encompassing commercial banking, insurance, investment banking and investment management. He cofounded Wolf River Capital Management in 2008 after leading FTN Financial’s structured and corporate finance groups.
Blaylock Inspiration Oracle Dedication Ceremony
Brandon Anderson
Dr. Julie Basler
James Wingett
• Harriss inducted – Dr. Elaine Harriss was inducted Oct. 6 into the Steinway & Sons Teacher Hall of Fame. The professor of music has been teaching piano for more than 50 years.
• First trip to Washington, D.C. – The WestStar Leadership Program organized its first trip in the program’s history Oct. 25-28 to Washington, D.C. The trip included a tour of the Capitol Building led by U.S. Rep. David Kustoff and his staff.
• Honorary degree conferred – The university’s agricultural business program is among the top majors pursued by UT Martin students. It’s only fitting that the program’s creator, Dr. Rodney “Doc” Thomsen of Dresden, was honored for his vision, and the university did so in a notable way. Chancellor Yancy Freeman conferred an honorary doctorate of agricultural business degree on the retired faculty member Nov. 6 in the Tosh Family Auditorium located in Brehm Hall.
• Earns national FFA recognition – UT Martin sophomore Lainey Hutchison of Gadsden was named the American Star in Agribusiness at the FFA National Convention in Indianapolis on Nov. 8. The farm and ranch management major and UT Martin rodeo team member was an FFA member all four years of high school. Sixteen American Star Award finalists from throughout the U.S. were nominated by a panel of judges who then interviewed the finalists. Four were chosen for the national awards.
• Alum thanks veterans for their service – UT Martin alum and retired Col. David Strauss spoke at the university’s Veterans Day program Nov. 10 in Watkins Auditorium. The Bradford native and 39-year U.S. Army veteran spoke about the phrase “Thank you for your service.”
• Make that three – The UT Martin football team claimed its third straight conference title Saturday, Nov. 11 –either a shared title or an outright championship – beating Big South-OVC Football Association rival Southeast Missouri 41-14 in Hardy M. Graham Stadium. This was the first year for the football association. The Skyhawks shared the 2022 OVC championship with SEMO and won the 2021 title outright.
• Perform with Jackson Symphony – The UTM Choir and Caroline Oldfather, a May 2023 graduate from UTM, performed Saturday, Dec. 2, in a holiday program with The Jackson Symphony at the Carl Perkins Civic Center in Jackson in the “Holiday Pops 2023” concert.
• Meek Awards presented – Daariq Burton of Memphis and Emma Copley of Centerville were presented with the Paul and Martha Meek Leadership Award during fall commencement. First awarded in 1970, the Meek Award is given to a graduating senior who has demonstrated outstanding leadership qualities while at UT Martin. The award was originally established and funded by the three Meek children to honor their parents. Dr. Paul Meek is the UT Martin library’s namesake, having led the university as its executive officer (1934-51), administrative dean (1951-67), and chancellor (1967). These are the only awards given during commencement each semester and showcase students who have displayed outstanding community and campus service.
• Santa’s Village supports community for 39 years – The 39th Santa’s Village was held Dec. 7-10 at the Ned McWherter Agricultural Complex. A traditional holiday collaboration between UT Martin and the City of Martin, the event collects food and toys from visitors for distribution by We Care Ministries of Martin.
2023 CHANCELLOR’S ANNUAL REPORT
PHILANTHROPIST ROLL OF HONOR
Gifts of $250,000 or More
Lynn M. Alexander
Brittany Kasprack
R. Van Swaim
Gifts of $100,000 or More
William L. Blankenship
Paul Blaylock, M.D., J.D. and Gaynelle Nolf, Ph.D.
Warren and Patricia Carmichael
Mary Jo Dougherty*
First Choice Farm & Lawn
Nancy Graham*
Rosann Nunnelly
Pepsi MidAmerica
John and Greta Salmon
The Tucker Foundation
Jim and Barbara Wingett
Gifts
of
$50,000 or More
Dale and Julie Allen
Sylvia Collier Davis
Bill and Carol Latimer
Marshall F. Priest
John and Phyllis Ray
James and Alonna Tosh
Volvo Penta
Weakley Farmers Co-op
Gifts
of
$25,000 or More
Milo and Shirley Borden
Marvin Downing
FB Financial Corporation
Susan Holly Gallup
Beth Akins Goff
H & M Company, Inc.
Walter Hoffmann and Ann Johnson
Gerald M. Holloway
Susan W. Lee
Paul and Nancylee McCord
Charles and Bettye Moore
Rodeo Boosters Club, Inc.
Deborah Cannon Rushing*
Frank W. Rushing*
Security Bank & Trust Company
Selmer/McNairy County Industrial Development Board
Kimaria L. Seymour
Alison Lee Smith
TLM Associates, Inc.
UT Federal Credit Union
Zeta Tau Alpha Foundation, Inc.
Gifts of $10,000 or More
Jerry and Clara Jo Arnold
Patrick and D’Ann Averwater
Betsy Ross Foundation, Inc.
Kyle and Laura Bond
Randy and Jenny Boyd
Raymond A. Bratcher*
Hal and Melanie Bynum
Commercial Bank and Trust Company
Ed and Shannon Cotter
Cade Cowan
Nick and Cathy Dunagan
First Citizens National Bank
Paul Fisher
John and Elizabeth Foote
Keith and Linda Fowler
Todd and Jennifer Hampton
J. Reginald Hill
Robert and Karen Hinson
Yukari Hyde
Renee Iacona
Richard and Lisa Jackson
William Lee Johnson*
La Cabana
Gail M. Latimer
John and Lisa Lindsey
Robert and Patricia Moore
Bill and Sandra Murray
George L. Nelson
Janice W. Noble
Performance Chiropractic, LLC
Jerry and Gwen Reese
Amy and Bill Rhodes
Ripley Power and Light
Simmons Bank
SouthEast Bank
Art and Tammy Sparks
Stanley Black & Decker
UTM Football Alumni Association
Danny and Alma Watkins
Charles L. Youngerman
Gifts of $1,000 or More
David O. Agee*
Albemarle Corporation
Alexander Thompson Arnold, PLLC
Viven G. Allen
Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.
Mark Alspaugh
Michael and Chandra Alston
Sudie W. Alston
Amro Music Stores, Inc.
Ralph and Lisa Anderson
Kendrick Triggs and April ArmstrongTriggs
AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals, L.P.
Bill and Dianne Austin
Stephen and Mary Ann Baker
Bancshares of Ripley, Inc.
John and Kathy Barker
BB’s Warehouse
Robert and Mary Beard
Amy Cole Belew
Bart A. Belew
Robert and Olivia Bell
Will and Denise Bell
Jack and Cynthia Bendure
Benefits First, LLC
Scott and Carole Berryman
Edward E. Bevill
Jeffrey R. Bibbee
Patricia A. Billing-Medel
Betty S. Bivens
Phil and Tracey Bivens
Frank S. Black
Ruby L. Black
Lisa A. Blankinship
PHILANTHROPIST ROLL OF HONOR
Yvette Blue
Boeing Company Foundation
Jerry and Janet Bomar
Boston Scientific Corporation
John and Patricia Branch
Joe and Phyllis Brasher
Dave and Julie Bratcher
Brayton Foundation
Jason and Jill Brigance
J. Phillip Bright
Eric and Rebecca Brockwell
Laura Brown
Glenn and Jamie Bruce
John and Julia Brundige
Shawn and Karen Bryant
Barry and Pamela Buckley
John and Kathy Bucy
Alex and Kate Bynum
Jake and Alyssa Bynum
Robert and Sue Byrd
Terry J. Canady
Alan and Jennifer Carpenter
Jerry and Linda Carpenter
Carroll Bank and Trust
Chris and Kathy Carroll
Bob and Kay Carroll
Cathy G. Carter
Keith and Hollianne Carver
Alan and Kim Cary
Roger and Diedre Castaldo
Glad and Wanda Castellaw
Wendell and Frances Cates
Charles and Michelle Cavaness
Dennis Cavin
Centennial Bank
Central Distributors, Inc.
Chickasaw Electric
Key and Amy Chu
James and Anna Clark
John and Jane Clark
Phillip and Mitsy Clendenin
Robert E. Clendenin Jr.
John and Sue Ann Cloar
Greg and Isabella Cole
Andy and Susanne Collins
Community Foundation of West Tennessee
Conner Real Estate
Harold and Joyce Conner
Douglas and Jennifer Cook
Randall and Kimberly Cooper
Betty Cowsert *
Lane Cowsert
Trent and Nicole Cowsert
Russell and Betty Cox
Coy Lutz Memorial Scholarship Fund
Phillip and Katie Creswell
George and Bonnie Daniel
Dee and Gina Daugherty
Charley and Shannon Deal
Dillard Door & Security, Inc.
Elwood and Denise Doss
Chris and Hailey Douglas
Cody and Glenna Dunagan
H. Ann Duncan
Robert and Sarah Duncan
Beverly Eaton
EBSCO Industries, Inc.
Jerry and Gerry Emmons
Enterprise Holdings Foundation
Estate of Anne P. Church
Wilburn and Joellen Evans
Joe and Vicki Exum
Danelle Fabianich
Farm Credit Mid-America
Matthew T. Fennel
Austin S. Ferrell
Carla W. Field
First Bank
First Choice Sales and Marketing Group
First Community Bank
First Farmers & Merchants Bank
Robert and Jackie Fitts
Walter and Heidi Fletcher
Forcum Lannom Contractors, LLC
Ford Motor Company
Danny and Beth Forrester
Franklin Noon Rotary
Yancy and Rafielle Freeman
Dawn Gunter Gabriele
Emery and Judith Gathers
Kent and Mary Ann Gearin
Adam and Beth Gibson
Rusty and Candy Goad
Bettie Graham
Roy Neil Graves
Jeff Gregory
Carolyn P. Gresham
Darcia D. Gresham
Darryl and Sarah Gresham
Bud and Virginia Grimes
Willie and Brenda Gulledge
Jacky and Nell Gullett
Sarah Haig
David and Dana Hart
Jonathan and Julie Heckmann
William and Constance Hensley
Martha Herndon
Ava Hicks
Linda Sue Highers
Michael and Nancy Hinds
Dickey and Waldeen Hinson
Robert and Patricia Holt
Michael and Kris Huber
Steven and Deborah Hyers
John and Laurinda Ingram
Jackson Tennessee Dog Fanciers Association
John and Kristen Jackson
Richard and Melba Jackson
Shirley A. Jackson
Ramon and Briana Jimenez
William and Ashley Jones
Ben Jones
Donna L. Jones
Phillip and Derenda Jones
Tiffany Jones
Mark and Kathryn Joyner
Larry and Virginia Kelly
Kerry Killebrew Advertising
Richard and Connie Killebrew
PHILANTHROPIST ROLL OF HONOR
Kiwanis Club of Martin
Louis and Stephanie Kolitsch
Kent and Elizabeth Landers
Ted Lawson
Leaders Credit Union
Leaders Education Foundation, Inc.
Donnie and Nancy Leggett
Daryl Leonard
Rodger P. Lewis
Andy and Allyson Lewter
Thomas and Frances Lindow
Mathew and Sandra Lipscomb
Troy and Deborah Long
Ed and Andrea Loughry
Hadley Malone
Martin Rotary Club
Chris Martin
Jackie and Shelby Matthis
Lee and Ann Carol (A.C.) Mayo
Mark and Candice McCloud
Stephen B. McConnell
Wayne and Diane McCreight
Dennis and Linda McCurry
Scott and Lora McDonald
Kurt and Jessica McGuffin
Chad and Taylor McMackin
Allison McMillan
Philip and Jacqueline McNamara
Christopher and Petra McPhearson
McWorth Management Company
Joey and Sandy Mehlhorn
Eric and Betsy Brasher Melby
Darryl and Martha Melton
Mid-South Chapter of ASFMRA
Zachariah Todd Mills
Joe and Karolyn Mobley
Joshua and Amanda Moon
Brannon D. Morgan
Amy Moser
Ernie and Penny Moser
Mike and Carolyn Moss
Patricia and Hunter Mountjoy
Robert and Jeanie Nanney
Rodney and Betty Neilson
Stewart and Martha Nelson
William and Toni Norcross
Northwest Tennessee Development District
NP Cares, LLC
Nunn Cotton Company, Inc.
James E. Orr Jr.
Stephanie Paris and Derek van der Merwe
Parker Hannifin Foundation
Walter Parrish and Judy Colonnese
Ronnie V. Partee
Frank and Vanessa Paulino
PetVet Care Centers Management, LLC
Daniel A. Pittman
Max and Sarah Piwonka
Raymond and Donna Pollard
Premier Portable Buildings
Jack and Linda Price
Dee Fields Pritchett*
Linda Ramsey
Charles and Judy Rayburn
Arnold L. Redman
David and Debbie Rednour Regions
Regions Financial Corporation
Rehabilitation Corporation of Tennessee
Jason M. Revell
RFW Construction Group, LLC
Jim and Martha Rippy
Joshua Johnson and Amelia Robinson
Richard C. Robinson
R. Lemoyne Robinson
Paul and Nancy Rose
Burton and Tracy Rutledge
Amadou and Yaye-Mah Sar
David and Susan Searcy Security Bank
Brian and Dana Self
Johnny and Vera Shanklin
Timothy and Mary Shanks
Jack and Barbara Shannon
Jean E. Sharp
Sara S. Sieber
Simmons Bank
Jason and Julie Simpson
Barry and Kathy Smith
Brian W. Smith
Ray and Marie Smith
Clinton Smith
Ray Smith
Wilma Smith*
Melinda A. Solmon
Blake and Ashleigh Stevens
Lee and Judy Stevenson
Justin and Stephanie Stewart
Jeremy and Donna Stines
Strickland Roofing Company, Inc.
Todd and Stacie Sullivan
Dustin and Whitney Summers
Keith and Jeanna Swafford
Swaim Realty
Michael and Ann Swaim
Ledley B. Symmes
Charles Taylor
Joe and Beverly Taylor
Nick A. Taylor
Scott and Whitney Taylor
William and Lisa Teague
Jai Templeton
Tennessee Road Builders Association
Tennessee Tractor, LLC
Samuel and Gale Tharpe
Wes and Angelique Thomas
Trane Company
Jimmy and Barbara Trentham
Evan and Eva Trevathan
United Methodist Women
Joel Usery and Becky Fox-Usery
UT Martin Black Alumni Council
UTM Student Chapter/ Wildlife Society
Steve and Vicki Vantrease
Vaughn Electric Company, Inc.
Cary and Lalania Vaughn
William and Mary Vowell
PHILANTHROPIST ROLL OF HONOR
Vulcan Materials Company
Alexander and Linda Waddell
Tom Wilton Wade III
Danny and Susan Walker
Sean and Emily Walker
Donald and Kelly Walton
Phillip and Patricia Watkins
Wayne Halfway House, Inc.
Weakley County Land Company
Phil and Brenda Wenk
West Tennessee Bone & Joint Clinic
West Tennessee Healthcare, Inc.
West Tennessee Industrial Association, Inc.
West TN Young Farmer/ Homemakers Leadership Development
James H. Westbrook Jr.
Tim and Ruth White
Jerry and Carla Wilhite
Ralph and Judy Wilkerson
Victoria Wilkinson
J. Randy and Ann Williams
Paul and Jaclynn Wilson
Sheila W. Wilson
Todd and Susan Winters
Thomas and Patty Witty
John and Patricia Woolfolk
Clovis and Tisha Wright
Earl and Jenna Wright
Lizabeth A. Wyant
Xi Lambda Omega
Sandra Zehntner
* Deceased
New Legacy Society MembersDeferred Pledges
Nick and Cathy Dunagan
Charles and Bettye Moore
Rosann Nunnelly
The Philanthropist Roll of Honor is compiled annually to honor the alumni, friends and organizations who support UT Martin and its mission. We wish to publicly recognize these donors. The report is a list of gifts to UT Martin beginning January 1, 2023, and ending December 31, 2023. Each entry was carefully reviewed, and every effort made to ensure accuracy. If there are errors or omissions, please contact the Office of University Advancement at 731-881-7628.
The Chancellor’s Annual Report is produced by the UT Martin Office of University Relations and 1,100 copies were printed by Tennessee Industrial Printing, Inc., in Jackson, Tennessee. University Leadership: Randy Boyd, President, The University of Tennessee System; Dr. Yancy Freeman Sr. Chancellor, The University of Tennessee at Martin.