UT Martin 2022 Chancellor's Annual Report

Lighting the Way

from the Chancellor

Alumni and Friends,

What an exciting year this was for the University of Tennessee at Martin. In the pages that follow, you’ll see that there is tremendous momentum at UT Martin right now. First and foremost, we are achieving our access mission by providing a transformational educational experience for students who in some cases would not have access to post-secondary education. In the RISE Campaign, our advancement team has worked successfully to increase the resources needed to support the access mission. When it is finished in June 2023, the RISE Campaign will be the largest campaign in UTM history, more that $130 million larger than the next largest. Through that campaign, we have increased scholarship endowments that, in turn, make it possible for the university to support students financially.

We’ve added several new academic programs such as construction management and cybersecurity, both which are timely as Ford builds its new production facility at BlueOval City. The need for graduates in these and other areas will increase significantly as the facility ramps up. Our athletics program has continued to grow very strong, while the GPAs of our student athletes have been increasing steadily over the past five years. Golf, beach volleyball, volleyball and football all won OVC championships while the rodeo team’s Cole Walker won the men’s all-around national championship at the 2022 College National Finals Rodeo.

New first-year enrollment rebounded in the fall from the post-Covid dip of the year before, and the percentage of students who persisted to their next year of study also increased. The financial picture is strong, thanks to the careful stewardship of funds.

We are positioned well for an even better 2023. The relationship we have developed with Ford has already yielded some benefits: the university received a sizable grant to run STEM workshops for teachers in West Tennessee in the summer of 2023. More opportunities for collaboration are in the works. The BlueOval City project will have major effects on all of West Tennessee and UT Martin.

We appreciate your support over the past year and hope to see you at the university in 2023!

DR. PHILIP ACREE CAVALIER INTERIM CHANCELLOR

ABOUT THE COVER

The 2022 Chancellor’s Annual Report cover features the university’s eternal flame, which was presented to the university by UT Martin alumni upon the 60th anniversary of the UT Martin campus. The symbol is featured on the ceremonial mace and the university’s official seal. The eternal flame, which once burned outside the Paul Meek Library, was reborn symbolically in 2022 and now has a permanent home on the library’s second floor (see page 37). The eternal flame reminds us that UT Martin continues to light the way in higher education for West Tennessee and beyond.

Nursing Program Reaches 50-year Mark

For 50 years, the UT Martin nursing program has produced top-level nursing graduates who excel in the health-care world. Experiential learning through more clinical practice plays a huge role in the program’s success.

Students receive hands-on instruction through lab experiences and high-fidelity simulations. They receive training at both local and regional sites, including hospitals, long-term care and rehabilitation centers, community organizations and schools. The UT Martin Department of Nursing prepares its students for success and boasts a 100% job placement rate for its students pursuing jobs immediately following graduation.

JANUARY

Agreement with TCAT Crump announced – Chancellor Keith Carver and Stephen Milligan, president of Tennessee College of Applied Technology Crump, signed the first statewide articulation agreement Jan. 31 between a TCAT and a university. According to the partnership agreement, students who complete the Farming Operations Technology program at TCAT Crump can receive up to 30 credit hours at UT Martin. The Governor’s Investment in Vocational Education Grant, which works to improve the region’s economy and support local industry partners by preparing students to perform in a highly skilled workforce, funded the partnership.

Veterinary Science professorship created – The Weakley County Farmers Co-op and the university announced the Weakley County Farmers Cooperative Professorship in Veterinary Science. The professorship funds an additional veterinary science faculty member whose duties include a 50% university teaching appointment. The remainder of the professorship will focus on service to the cooperative and its members. (top-left, page 9)

University roads renamed – Two university roads were renamed to honor one individual and a family with long ties to UT Martin. The university’s farm road was named the Jerry D. Gresham Road in memory of Dr. Jerry D. Gresham, professor emeritus of animal science. Gresham came to UT Martin in 1973 and served for 39 years until his retirement in spring 2013. He concluded his university career as College of Agriculture and Applied Sciences dean. Also, the road leading to the Veterinary Technology Center was named Walker Lane in honor of the Walker family that has donated more than $29,000 to the university and has strong ties to UT Martin. Dr. Danny Walker, son of Raphael and Mildred Walker who rented their large farm next to main campus to the university, is the lead professor in the UT Martin Veterinary Health Technology Program.

Grant examines historical records collections – The university received a $126,000 grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities to support a survey of West Tennessee historical records collections. The project titled “Surveying the Impact of COVID-19 on Cultural Collections in West Tennessee” assessed the impact that the COVID-19 pandemic had on heritage collections in 21 West Tennessee counties.

Advisory board meets – Intercollegiate athletics, transfer students and student retention were the topics for updates presented to the UT Martin Advisory Board during its winter meeting Friday, Jan. 20, in the Ed and Carolyn Boling University Center. The advisory board meets three times annually and advises the university’s chancellor regarding operations and budget matters.

FEBRUARY

Cyntoia Brown-Long speaks at Civil Rights Conference – UT Martin’s 22nd annual Civil Rights Conference featured a keynote address Feb. 7 by Cyntoia Brown-Long. Brown-Long is an advocate for criminal justice reform and the ending of human trafficking. At the age of 16, she was sentenced to life for killing a man in self-defense. Fifteen years later, then Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam granted her clemency and called her circumstance a “tragic and complex case.” She is now using her platform to educate others about criminal justice reform. She was accompanied by her attorneys, Charles Bone and J. Houston Gordon, both UT College of Law graduates. Gordon also holds a degree from UT Martin. In addition to her keynote address, Brown-Long met with several classes and signed copies of her book following her presentation in Watkins Auditorium. The month-long conference featured other programming and speakers. (bottom-left, page 9)

Students report for duty at Super Bowl, NHL All-Star Game – The ninth cohort of UT Martin students to attend and work a Super Bowl traveled Feb. 13 to Los Angeles to experience Super Bowl LVI. Dr. Dexter Davis, professor of sport business, annually takes UTM students to the NFL’s championship game to participate in event management on a worldwide stage. A first-time addition to the annual Super Bowl journey was the opportunity for this year’s group of 12 students to attend and work the NHL All-Star Game, Feb. 5, in Las Vegas.

Scholarship endowment expanded - Country Radio Broadcasters Inc. selected the university’s broadcasting program, housed within the Department of Mass Media and Strategic Communication, to receive a $6,250 scholarship. Faculty members, Dr. Richard Robinson and Rodney Freed, along with five students, accepted the award during the annual Country Radio Seminar held Feb. 25 at the Omni Hotel in Nashville. UT Martin received the award alongside Belmont University, Middle Tennessee State University and the University of North Alabama. The scholarship will be added to a $25,000 award that was presented Feb. 13, 2019. The awards fund an annual scholarship award to a UT Martin broadcasting student. This year’s recipient was Davis Gregory, a senior from Knoxville.

Online program earns accolades – The U.S. News and World Report 2022 edition of Best Online Programs ranked the UT Martin Online MBA Program in a 42nd place tie out of 331 universities nationally. Additionally, the university’s online bachelor’s degree programs tied for 101st out of 363 ranked universities in the report, and the Online Master’s in Education also made the list by tying for 192nd out of 327 universities.

Volunteers provide tornado cleanup – Over 100 volunteers from various UT Martin groups turned out on Saturday, Feb. 26, to help with cleanup efforts in Dresden. The area was hit by an EF-3 tornado on Dec. 10, 2021, leaving damage and debris for miles. The groups that participated included Skyhawk athletic teams: football, soccer, volleyball, beach volleyball, track and cross country, rifle, equestrian and softball; UT Martin fraternities and sororities: Alpha Omicron Pi and Pi Kappa Alpha; and university alumni. (top-right)

First director of retention hired – Dr. Brad Baumgardner joined UT Martin as the university’s first director of retention. He came to the university with 10 years of experience in advising, instruction and program development and previously served as an advising manager at Middle Tennessee State University.

Leads Title 1XWork

The UT Martin Office of Equity and Diversity welcomed Dominique Crockett as the Title XI coordinator and director. Her goal is to make an impact at UT Martin by focusing on creating a safe, supportive and informed space for students, faculty and staff.

Through intentional collaborations with organizations across campus and engagement with the campus community, Crockett has been able to educate and improve the climate and culture on campus.

Highlights

MARCH

Tyson Foods establishes endowment – Tyson Foods presented UT Martin with a check for $25,000 on March 9 to establish the Tyson Scholars Endowment. The endowment will be used to fund scholarships for students interested in pursuing a career in poultry production.

Forum discusses war in Ukraine – The ongoing war in Ukraine was discussed during the first Global Affairs Forum on Wednesday, March 9, in the North Reading Room of the Paul Meek Library. The new forum series features expert analysis about current events and issues. The series is co-sponsored by the university’s College of Business and Global Affairs and the Paul Meek Library.

Honored for scholarship – Dr. Rachna Tewari, associate professor of agricultural economics, was the 2022 spring semester Featured Faculty Scholar. The designation honors faculty members for outstanding scholarship and research. (top-right)

Education discussed – The WestTeach teacher-development program, sponsored by the WestStar Leadership Program, hosted the second West Tennessee Education Summit on March 4 at the West Tennessee AgResearch and Education Center in Jackson. The summit seeks positive change in curriculum to enhance workforce development and welcomes teachers, superintendents, private business owners, school board members and legislators. The summit began as a class project by the WestTeach Class of 2019.

Named OVC Legend – Tara Tansil-Gentry, a health and human performance faculty member, was recognized as an Ohio Valley Conference Basketball Legend during the OVC Basketball Championship in Evansville, Indiana. A native of Greenfield, she was connected to the Skyhawk women’s basketball program for almost two decades: four as a player, eight as an assistance coach and five as a head coach.

Selected a “Readers’ Choice” – Nicole Blackburn, Department of Nursing lecturer, was chosen as the 2022 Readers’ Choice for “Best Nurse” as voted by readers of the Camden Chronicle. In addition to teaching at the university, Blackburn works part time in labor and delivery at Henry County Medical Center in Paris.

APRIL

Grants awarded – The UT Martin Center for Sustainability awarded Campus Sustainability Grants to campus organizations seeking to improve the Recycling Facility and to expand the range of accessible recycling bins on campus. Receiving grants were Psi Chi Honor Society ($4,000 to replace the current Recycling Facility bins) and the College Panhellenic Council ($1,500 to set up recycling bins in Sorority Village).

Fighting cancer one cup at a time – The fifth Cups for the Cure event was held April 2 at the UT Martin Wesley Foundation. David McBeth, professor of art, and his students sold handmade ceramic cups and mugs for a $15 donation. All proceeds were donated to cancer research foundations in the region. The event was co-hosted by the Department of Visual and Theatre Arts and the UT Martin Wesley Foundation. (left, page 12)

Captain’s Challenge sets records – The eighth “Captain’s Challenge – Captain Skyhawk’s Day Off” was held April 6 and set new records of $470,000 raised and approximately 1,400 gifts in fewer than 24 hours. The theme was based on the popular 1986 movie “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off.” (see pages 18-19)

Honored for their work – Ryan Martin and Dale Willis received spring 2022 Outstanding Employee Awards on April 6. Martin, director of housing, is the second employee to be honored twice. Willis is the head technician in the Physical Plant’s HVAC refrigeration shop.

JED campus visit highlights mental health – The university’s JED Campus committee welcomed a JED team campus visit from Leah Finch, JED campus adviser, and Dr. Louise Douce, JED campus external contributor, to discuss strategic planning. JED Campus is a nationwide initiative of the JED Foundation designed to guide schools to build upon existing student mental health, substance use/ misuse and suicide prevention efforts.

Attend major fashion show – MagicMart, located in Las Vegas, is the most comprehensive fashion trade show in the country. Eight fashion merchandising students made their first trip and met with brand representatives, attended educational sessions, and got a first look at the upcoming fashion trends.

Display honors donors – The Paul Meek Library dedicated a display April 12 honoring its donors. The permanent indoor display officially concluded the library’s brick campaign that began in 1996 and raised more than $40,000 in funds that supported the library’s collections, furnishings, services and engagement events. The display preserves donor names that were previously recognized with brick pavers located along the sidewalk outside the library.

Titan’s Podcast visits Graham Stadium – The Official Titans Podcast visited the Champions Club on April 14, featuring Mike Keith, voice of the Titans, and Amie Wells. This was the final stop in a six-city tour. Chancellor Keith Carver was the special guest for the podcast that was produced before a live audience.

Rodeo returns to full capacity – For the first time in three years, the Ned McWherter Agricultural Complex was again at full capacity following the pandemic for the 54th Spring College Rodeo. The rodeo marked the final home rodeo for retiring rodeo coach John Luthi. (see pages 34-35)

Honored for inclusion and advocacy – The Center for Women and Gender Equality honored Sarah Haig, associate professor of graphic design, with the inaugural Elliot McKeel Ally Award. The award recognizes a faculty or staff member who exemplifies allyship and advocacy on behalf of the LGBTQ+ community.

American Red Cross honors university – The university was recognized April 27 for its support of the Red Cross following the Dec. 10, 2021, tornado outbreak in Northwest Tennessee. The American Red Cross of Mid-West Tennessee presented its 2022 Outstanding Community Partner Award to UT Martin during the annual Heroes Luncheon held April 27 at Union University. (bottom-right, page 12)

Test Hub Funded

UT Martin will continue to lead initiatives in hands-on manufacturing engineering education with the addition of the Tennessee Entrepreneurial Science and Technology (TEST) Hub. The Tennessee General Assembly’s funding of the TEST Hub adds a critical piece to UT Martin’s role in the future success of BlueOval City.

This $18 million facility will combine educational amenities, entrepreneurial centers and manufacturing workshops surrounding a shared industrial maker space. The TEST Hub will be an industrial beacon for the region and will offer educational opportunities at the certificate, associate and bachelor’s degree levels.

Highlights

MAY

Faculty recognized on Honors Day – Six faculty members received awards May 1 at Honors Day. Those receiving awards were Dr. Julie Floyd, professor of nursing, Coffey Outstanding Teaching Award; Dr. Christie Chen, associate professor of management, Cunningham Outstanding Teacher/ Scholar Award; Jason Stout, professor of art, Cunningham Outstanding Teacher/Scholar Award; Dr. Carrie Humphreys, assistant professor of political science and international studies, Outstanding Academic Adviser Award; Dr. Dexter Davis, professor of sport business, Outstanding UT Alumni Association Teacher Award; and Dr. Joshua Guerin, professor of computer science, Outstanding UT Alumni Association Teacher Award.

Faculty member earns UTM degree – Dr. Dan Pigg, professor of English, is no stranger at UT Martin commencement, but he walked across the stage for the first time May 6 to receive his master’s degree in higher education leadership. His degree marked his seventh master’s degree and his 10th degree overall. Pigg entered his 33rd year teaching at UT Martin in fall 2022. (top-right, page 17)

Classroom named for Tosh family – The “Tosh Family Classroom” was officially named in honor of James “Jimmy” Tosh and his family during a naming event May 5 in Room 258 of UT Martin’s Brehm Hall. The classroom was named in recognition of his generous commitments to the University of Tennessee and UT Martin. Tosh studied animal science, graduated from UT Martin in 1972, and returned home to operate the family business, Tosh Farms. (lower left)

Spring commencement covers three ceremonies – Spring commencement exercises were held over three ceremonies May 6-7 in the Kathleen and Tom Elam Center. Graduates represented 65 Tennessee counties, 31 states, the District of Columbia, and three countries outside the U.S. A total of 598 graduates participated and heard UT Martin Chancellor Keith Carver deliver the commencement address.

Noyce Scholars begin program – Three Noyce Scholars signed a contract agreeing to fulfill the program’s requirements as they begin their UT Martin Master of Science in Initial Licensure. The university received a National Science Foundation award in 2021 totaling $1.2 million over five years to recruit 25 individuals who have science, math or engineering degrees to complete master’s degrees and teach STEM subjects.

Advisory board meets in June – Recommendations for no tuition or mandatory fee increases highlighted the university’s 2022-23 proposed budget that was presented and approved during the UT Martin Advisory Board summer meeting held May 20 in the Boling University Center. The proposed budget was sent to the UT Board of Trustees for consideration at the annual meeting June 23-24 in Knoxville.

Memorial Day tradition continues – U.S. Rep. David Kustoff (R-TN 8th District) and Col. Michael Banks, of Brownsville, a judge advocate general for the Tennessee Army National Guard, recalled the freedoms Americans enjoy and the sacrifices that made those freedoms possible during the university’s 22nd Memorial Day Commemoration. The ceremony was held May 27 on the north plaza between the Boling University Center and the Paul Meek Library. (middle, page 17)

Visit Nile University – Five university faculty and staff members visited Nile University on May 27-June 3 to strengthen and expand the new collaboration that was announced in fall 2021 between the two universities. The arrangement allows Nile University students to earn a dual MBA-EMBA from the College of Business and Global Affairs and the Nile University School of Business Administration. The university is located near Cairo, Egypt.

Honored for student affairs service – The Division of Student Affairs awarded the Phillip Watkins Outstanding Service to Student Affairs Award to Debi Adcock, administrative assistant to the vice chancellor for student affairs; Monica Black, administrative assistant for student life and multicultural affairs; and Laura Kepler, Cooper Hall director. The annual award goes to student affairs staff members who have gone above and beyond in their service to the Division of Student Affairs and students.

JUNE

Coaches Special Olympics - Dr. Clinton Smith, UT Martin associate professor of special education and area director for Upper West Tennessee – Area 7 Special Olympics, accompanied eight Tennessee athletes to the Special Olympics USA Games, June 5-12, in Orlando, Florida. This year’s event was one of the largest events in history; more than 5,500 Special Olympics athletes and coaches participated, and more than 125,000 spectators attended. The athletes Smith directly coached in track-and-field events earned a total of 20 medals, including four gold medals, three silver medals, and two bronze medals. Garrett Dinning, a rising junior at Westview High School in Martin and son of UT Martin graduate Jill Dinning, earned fourth place in the mini-javelin event and the 4 x 100-meter relay as well as sixth place in the long-jump event. Team Tennessee earned 32 gold medals, 22 silver medals and 21 bronze medals based on the efforts of 133 athletes. (bottom-right)

Hosts candidate forum – UT Martin’s Watkins Auditorium was a host site for a June 9 election forum for Democrat and Republican candidates for governor and congress. The event was one in a series of forums across the state for the 2022 election and made possible by a partnership between the University of Tennessee System and USA TODAY Network.

WestStar welcomes Boyd – Randy Boyd considers the 2022 WestStar Leadership Program participants as his classmates – and for good reason. He’s officially one of them. The University of Tennessee System president was announced as the fourth honorary graduate in the leadership program’s history during WestStar’s annual graduation event held June 21 at The Venue at Twin Oaks in Humboldt. Boyd also served as the event’s keynote speaker as WestStar recognized 30 graduates from 17 counties in the program’s 32nd class.

Captain’s Challenge Hits

New Marks

2022 was a record-breaking year for Captain’s Challenge. The UT Martin Office of Alumni Relations raised $470,000 with approximately 1,400 gifts in less than 24 hours.

Through efforts and the help of the UT Martin community and alumni, the goal of $400,000 was exceeded with more than five hours remaining in the day.

Highlights

Receives President’s Award – Cindy West, College of Education, Health, and Behavioral Sciences dean, received one of seven President’s Awards presented to faculty and staff throughout the UT System. She was recognized in the “Embrace Diversity” category for her support for diversity and inclusion. The awards were presented following the UT Board of Trustees annual meeting June 24 in Knoxville.

Campus Master Plan approved – The UT Martin Campus Master Plan received full approval during the UT Board of Trustees meeting June 24.

Time capsule buried – The Governor’s School for the Humanities 2022 class buried a time capsule June 28 in front of the Boling University Center. The capsule is the first in the program’s history and contains artifacts from each of the 53 students and the faculty members involved with the program. Bebe Falkner, a rising junior from Murfreesboro, had the idea while working on a story for alumni about Governor’s School. (top-left, page 21)

JULY

Bees are welcome – UT Martin has become an affiliate of the Bee Campus USA program, designed to marshal the strengths of educational campuses for the benefit of pollinators. The university joins other cities and college campuses across the country united in improving their landscapes for pollinators. Bee City USA and Bee Campus USA are initiatives of the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation, a nonprofit organization based in Portland, Oregon, with offices across the country. (bottom-left, page 21)

Named outstanding agriculture program – UT Martin’s Department of Agriculture, Geosciences, and Natural Resources received the Tennessee Association of Agricultural Educators’ award for the Outstanding Postsecondary Agriculture Program at the organization’s annual conference July 10-12 in Murfreesboro. This is the third time that UT Martin has received the award. The award recognizes a post-secondary institution or program in which staff and faculty members devote at least 50% of their teaching time to providing exemplary agricultural education training. (bottom-right, page 21)

Complete leadership institute - Three administrators completed the University of Tennessee Executive Leadership Institute program. Dr. Nancy Buschhaus, interim dean for the College of Engineering and Natural Sciences; Edie Gibson, senior adviser to the chancellor; and Dr. Mark McCloud, chief diversity and inclusion officer, were among 23 participants in the institute’s 2022 class, which was the third in the program’s history.

Receives accolades – The Online MBA Program was selected as one of the Best 50 Online MBA Programs of 2022 by Menlo Coaching, a leading provider of MBA admissions information and resources. UT Martin’s program was one of only two Tennessee universities listed.

Planning for BlueOval City – The university’s BlueOval City Response Team held its initial meeting July 22 in the Dunagan Alumni Center. The team will coordinate preparations for and responses to Ford information releases and requests for assistance. The team will also connect university students, faculty, staff and programs with partnerships connected with the Megasite of West Tennessee.

Welcomed into Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame – Bettye Giles, retired director of women’s athletics, was officially welcomed into the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame’s 2020 class July 23 in Nashville. The event recognized the 2020 and 2021 classes and the announcement of the 2022 class. Her career of leadership and activism coincided with the 1972 Title IX education amendments. Honored in the 2021 class was UT Martin alum Brandon Rowland, of Jackson, a double amputee and accomplished athlete. Alum Art Sparks is a member of the hall of fame board of directors. (top-right, page 21)

AUGUST

Gift supports new program – An anonymous gift was announced that will support the university’s new Bachelor of Science in Construction Management, an engineering major developed to meet Tennessee workforce needs. The gift of the Overcast Family Professorship for Excellence in Construction Management Endowment will enable the university to hire future faculty members for the new program. In addition, the same donors will provide scholarships to qualified students at the second-year level or above who have a cumulative grade point average of 2.75 or higher through their establishment of the Overcast Family Construction Management Scholarship Fund.

The new degree received UT Board of Trustees approval during the board’s annual meeting in June and received final approval July 28 during the Tennessee Higher Education Commission’s summer meeting in Nashville. The program began fall semester 2022.

Ag finance conference returns for 24th year – The 24th Annual Mid-South Agricultural Finance Conference, hosted by the Horace and Sara Dunagan Chair of Excellence in Banking and the Gilbert Parker Chair of Excellence in Agriculture and Natural Resources, was held Aug. 10 in Watkins Auditorium. The theme was “Getting Comfortable with the Uncomfortable” and featured strategies for taking advantage of opportunities during uncertain economic environments. Among the featured speakers was Dr. David Kohl, Virginia Tech University professor emeritus of agricultural finance and small business management and entrepreneurship.

OVC

Titles Claimed

The Skyhawks soared to new heights during 2022 with an impressive list of Ohio Valley Conference championships. Golf, beach volleyball, volleyball, and football all claimed OVC titles. The rodeo team also had a successful year with Cole Walker, a junior from Sparta, winning the men’s all-around national championship at the 2022 College National Finals Rodeo.

Highlights

Receives Dunagan scholarship – Third-year finance major Carson Brigance, of Martin, has received two scholarships as he continues his UT Martin education. Brigance received the Nick Dunagan WestStar Leadership Scholarship from UT Martin’s WestStar Leadership Program. He has also received the Leaders in Banking Scholarship provided by Security Bank & Trust. The WestStar Leadership Program scholarship was established in 2004 by WestStar alumni to honor Dunagan, co-founder of the leadership program and UT Martin chancellor emeritus. The scholarship benefits a UT Martin student who demonstrates proven leadership skills and displays leadership potential. Preference is given based on high academic achievement and a record of community or university involvement. Brigance’s father, Jason, is a 2011 WestStar graduate and 1996 UT Martin graduate, and his grandfather, Jerry, graduated from WestStar in 1997 and UT Martin in 1965.

First “Freshman Flight of Passage” program presented – The Somerville Center hosted its first-ever Freshman Flight of Passage program during the first week in August. The program helped entering freshmen understand the importance of high school. Topics included career exploration, conflict resolution, ACT prep, and the importance of maintaining a strong GPA.

Students return for fall semester – First-year students and their families spent the morning moving into campus residence halls Thursday, Aug. 18, as part of Move-In Mania. Community groups and student organizations assisted with move-in activities. (bottom-right, page 25)

Online MBA degree recognized – Onlinembareport.com recognized UT Martin for the high quality of its Online MBA Program. The program was ranked third in Tennessee behind the University of Memphis and UT Chattanooga and 18th in the South in the report. The website highlights the university for its small class sizes, collaborative projects, and leadership and global managementbased curriculum.

Free ACT prep classes offered – The Office of University Outreach partnered with the Tennessee Department of Education to offer free virtual ACT workshops and classes throughout fall 2022.

Highlights

Named top mayor – Martin Mayor Randy Brundige, a strong supporter of the city and university’s Town and Gown Association, was named the 2022 Mayor of the Year by the Tennessee Municipal League. He is a university alum and WestStar Leadership Program graduate.

United Way of West Tennessee honors Deal – Dr. Charley Deal, vice chancellor for university advancement, was among four honorees recognized for service by United Way of West Tennessee during the organization’s Unitas community event held Aug. 18 at the Carl Perkins Civic Center in Jackson. He received one of two Joe Exum Service and Leadership Awards for his 12 years of involvement with the organization.

Kickoff cookout celebrates Pride Year – The Center for Women and Gender Equality sponsored a Pride Year Kickoff Cookout on Aug. 25 that welcomed more than 250 students and dozens of faculty and staff. The event marked the start of Pride Year, a celebration of inclusion and community.

TVA board meets at UTM – The TVA Board of Directors held its quarterly business meeting Aug. 30-31 in the Russell Duncan Ballroom. On Aug. 30, city, business and other officials were among those attending a downtown announcement ceremony when the Weakley County Municipal Electric System officially became the first local power company in Tennessee to install Electric Vehicle fast chargers as part of TVA’s regional Fast Charge Network. Two EV fast chargers are located outside Martin City Hall. (top-left, page 24)

SEPTEMBER

Fall enrollment increases – Fall enrollment increased for the first time since the pandemic began in 2020 reaching 6,873 students. This compared to 6,715 students who registered in fall 2021 and represented a 2.4% increase. First-year students totaled 1,107 students, up 6.2% from 1,042 in fall 2021. Transfers increased 5.7% from 353 to 373 students, and first-time graduate students totaled 268 compared to 224 last fall semester for a 19.6% increase. (middle, page 24)

U.S. News rankings earned – The university earned several noteworthy rankings in the 2022-2023 Best Colleges edition released Sept. 12 by U.S. News & World Report. The university was ranked #26 among Regional Universities South, up from #31 a year ago; #10 for Top Public Schools – Regional Universities South, up from #15 last year; and #9 for Best Colleges for Veterans – Regional Universities South, up from last year’s #14 ranking.

Co-sponsors Tennessee Soybean Festival – The university partnered with the city of Martin and others to bring the Tennessee Soybean Festival, Sept. 5-10, to Martin and Northwest Tennessee. The festival featured more than 100 events. The university has been a festival partner since the event began in 1994. In line with the festival, Dr. Todd Winters, dean of the College of Agriculture and Applied Sciences, reviewed his career-long research into soybeans with his presentation titled “The Magic Bean: Utilization of Soybeans and Effects on Mammalian Physiology.” His Sept. 8 presentation was part of the UT Martin Research Series.

Festival lineup includes Guitar for Art – The eighth annual Tennessee Soybean Festival Guitar as Art Contest Exhibition was held Sept. 4 in the Fine Arts Building Art Gallery. The event highlights guitars that have been artistically altered using any 2D media methods. The exhibition, sponsored by the Department of Visual and Theatre Arts and Tennessee Soybean Festival, was held Sept. 5-10. (bottom-left, page 24)

First Noyce Scholar graduates

Elizabeth Campbell had her sights set on health care when she started her undergraduate career in 2015. After a year of working in a pharmacy, she realized her true passion was teaching, and the Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship Program helped fulfill that passion.

Campbell is the first Noyce Scholar to graduate from UT Martin’s program, and she is prepared to enter the classroom as a teacher in STEM education. Since receiving her education master’s degree, she has started her teaching career as a biology and anatomy teacher at Riverdale High School in Murfreesboro.

Highlights

Named to ELI class – Dominique Crockett, Dr. Andy Lewter, and Dr. Anderson Starling were chosen to represent the university in the UT Executive Leadership Institute. The 12-month program prepares current faculty and staff for senior leadership roles. Crockett is director of equity and diversity and Title IX coordinator (see page 10); Lewter is vice chancellor for student affairs; and Starling is associate professor of political science and interim chair for the Department of Accounting, Finance, Economics and Political Science.

MBA class helps small business - Carolina Vela, of Leon, Mexico, is a UT Martin MBA student selected to serve as a liaison between the university’s Regional Entrepreneurship and Economic Development Center, small businesses, and Management 790 students involved in the consulting project related to the course. Vela also assisted with the annual Mid-South Agricultural Finance Conference sponsored by the Horace and Sara Dunagan Chair of Excellence in Banking. The consulting project’s purpose is to provide Management 790 students an opportunity to work with businesses as outside consultants. Students work directly with business owners or managers in a real-world consulting experience.

Stop the Stigma event brings awareness – Student Health and Counseling Services held a suicide awareness program Sept. 6 that focused on survey results that showed 135 UT Martin students had serious suicidal thoughts in the previous year. The event, Stop the Stigma: Mental Health Matters, featured professional speakers along with a UTM student who shared a testimonial. Student health and counseling offers free mental health screening and counseling to currently enrolled students.

Sustainable food production is focus of grant – The university received a $299,932 grant from the United States Department of Agriculture’s Capacity Building Grants for Non-Land-Grant Colleges of Agriculture program. The grant, entitled “Empowering small farmers and agriculture students: FSAS (Farmers’ School for Agricultural Sustainability) and Experiential Learning Programs,” will benefit a three-year project focusing on strengthening sustainable food production and enhancing agricultural productivity. The program is being led by Dr. Rachna Tewari, associate professor of agricultural economics and agribusiness.

Student-athlete mental health to benefit from grant – Ashley Bynum, associate athletic director for internal operations, received a $75,375 award for a one-year NCAA Accelerating Academic Success Program. Funds will be used for student-athlete mental health programming, academic support staffing, and technology upgrades. The award is Bynum’s second NCAA grant, and she currently holds a 100% success rate for multiple grant proposals.

Moment of silence held for Memphis – The university held a gathering at 9:01 a.m., Sept. 9, to observe a moment of silence for all those in and from Memphis following a week of tragedy. Faculty, students and staff were encouraged to wear blue when they all gathered for a moment of silence and to sign a banner titled “Thinking of our 901 Friends.” The banner was delivered later that day to Madison Plaza Building at the UT Health Science Center. (right, page 29)

WestStar travels to Memphis – The WestStar Leadership Program held its annual mini-session Sept. 22 in Memphis, which brought together program alumni and guests for an informational day about Memphis and Shelby County. The sessions were held at the YMCA of Memphis. The mini-sessions annually visit counties not formally visited during the WestStar class sessions.

Major grant involves UTM, UTHSC – The university will collaborate with the UT Health Science Center in a $1.3 million National Institute of General Medical Sciences award. The project is titled “High School to Health Care” and will include team members from the university, the health science center, and the University of Memphis Center for Research and Educational Policy. UT Martin will receive more than $755,000 over five years for Dr. Simpfronia Taylor’s work as a curriculum specialist for the project-based learning in the program, Erica Bell’s role as project facilitator and other recruitment activities. Taylor is Ripley Center director, and Bell is director for the Office of Regional Centers and Online Programs.

Hispanic Heritage Month celebrated – The Office of Multicultural Affairs collaborated with different departments and organizations to help celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month. The month began Sept. 15 and ran through Oct. 15. The celebration included Latin Jazz Night on Sept. 29. The event was a collaboration among Department of Music faculty and students, with music groups led by Dr. Kurt Gorman, professor of music, and Dr. Brady Spitz, assistant professor of music. The concert, hosted by the Latin Hispanic Student Association and Percussion Society, welcomed more than 130 students, faculty and staff. (top-left)

UTM Advisory Board meets - A fall enrollment report and review of the university’s updated strategic plan were among the agenda items presented during Sept. 23 fall meeting of the UT Martin Advisory Board. Updates on the university’s Title IX work and capital projects were also presented to board members during the 1 p.m. meeting held in the Boling University Center.

OCTOBER

Homecoming 2022 celebrates “Groovy Days”; awards presented – The 2022 Homecoming celebration Sept. 26-Oct. 2 stepped back into the 70s with the theme “Groovy Days at UTM.” Cody Alcorn, of Atlanta, Georgia; April Armstrong, of Bartlett; and Jimmy Tosh, of Henry, were honored with alumni awards Oct. 1. Alcorn, a native of Sikeston, Missouri, received the 2022 Outstanding Young Alumni Award, which honors a university alum under 40 years of age for outstanding achievement in his or her chosen profession. Armstrong received the 2022 Outstanding Alumni Award, which honors a university alum for outstanding achievement in his or her chosen profession. Tosh received the Chancellor’s Award for University Service, which honors an individual for exemplary service to the university. (bottom-left)

Bromley Training Center dedicated

Officer Lawrence Bromley, a 1981 UT Martin criminal justice graduate, left a positive impact on the Dallas Police Department. He made the ultimate sacrifice in December 1991 when he was killed in the line of duty while working an undercover operation.

In honor of his memory and service, UT Martin named a new training facility after Bromley. Members of the Dallas Police Department Honor Guard attended the May 24 naming in Martin. The Bromley Training Center features a VirTra judgmental use-of-force simulator and classroom used for de-escalation and emergency health-intervention education and training.

Highlights

Earn broadcasting accolades – WUTM 90.3 “The Hawk” was awarded first and second places in both categories offered in the college competitions at the inaugural Tennessee Association of Broadcasters “Excellence in Broadcasting” awards banquet Oct. 4 at the Country Music Hall of Fame in Nashville. Blaine McDonald earned the Radio Horizon award for the best up-and-coming college radio reporter or personality, and Dylan Ingram received second place for his newscasts and spot reporting. (bottom-left)

Recognized as fall’s Featured Faculty Scholar – Dr. Patrick Baker, associate professor of law, received the university’s fall 2022 Featured Faculty Scholar Award on Oct. 5, which recognizes regular, full-time faculty with records of outstanding research and creative works in their respective fields.

Alum brings forensic expertise to class – Mark Dunlap, a 1998 UTM graduate, returned as a guest speaker for CHEM 201: Introduction to Forensic Science. Dunlap earned a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry with a minor in biological sciences. He has worked for the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation Crime Lab since June 2000 and is currently one of the forensic scientist managers in the TBI’s Jackson office. He returned to campus twice this semester as a guest speaker. He discussed crime scene processing Sept. 7 and latent fingerprint examinations Oct. 10.

Earn ACT honor – Jennifer Cooper and Alex Beene received the inaugural ACT State Equity and Access Champion Award during a joint celebration involving ACT, Inc., and the Tennessee Department of Education on Oct. 25 in Nashville. Cooper, the Office of Research, Outreach and Economic Development, and Beene, adjunct instructor, were honored for their work preparing students to take the ACT.

Top employees honored – Landy Fuqua, director of the Regional Entrepreneurship and Economic Development Center, and Kim Jackson, assistant to the dean for the College of Agriculture and Applied Sciences, received fall 2022 Outstanding Employee Awards.

War in Ukraine discussed – Dr. Martin Nekola made two presentations Oct. 13 as part of the “ENGAGE the Times” series. This series includes 10 meetings each semester for students, staff and faculty to meet and engage in meaningful conversations about current events. He spoke first with students and faculty on the topic “The Czech Republic, European Union, Rise of Populism and the War in Ukraine” and later to a general audience about “The War in Ukraine - The Lessons for Europe.” Both presentations were based on his personal experience from eight international election observation missions. Nekola’s late presentation was followed by Arlette Hargis who presented “Bombed and Occupied – Ukrainians’ Daily Life.” She was born in Ukraine and has been a faculty member for the past 14 years at Camden High School.

Coon Creek Science Center hosts convention – The university’s Coon Creek Science Center hosted the 46th Biennial Convention for Sigma Gamma Epsilon National Earth and Science Society. Approximately 40 delegates, chapter advisers, and UT Martin students participated in the threeday event representing 11 chapters from Tennessee, Texas, Illinois, Iowa, Connecticut, Indiana, and Arkansas. Dr. Lionel Crews, associate professor of physics, held a “star party” for the guests, and Dr. Michael Gibson, professor of geology, presented “The Fossils of Coon Creek Lagerstatte Deposit.”

First diversity workshop held – The university’s Educator Preparation Program presented its inaugural diversity workshop titled “All of Us for All of Them: Our ONLY Path to OUR Success” on Oct. 20 in Watkins Auditorium. The workshop included keynote speaker Dr. Vincent Windrow, a popular national speaker and conference presenter. The mission of the university’s Educator Preparation Program is to educate teachers by supporting UT Martin’s 34 K-12 licensure programs.

Football Skyhawks ascend Rocky Top – The 14th ranked Football Champion Subdivision UT Martin Skyhawks faced the Football Bowl Subdivisions’s 3rd ranked Tennessee Vols on Oct. 22 in UT Knoxville’s Neyland Stadium. The Skyhawks provided spirited opposition but fell on the road 65-24 to one of the year’s top Southeastern Conference and national college football powers. (right, page 32)

Earns top-10 ranking – The Online RN-to-BSN Program in Nursing was ranked sixth in Tennessee by EduMed (www.edumed.org) and recognized for its small class sizes, affordable tuition, and career placement success.

NOVEMBER

Receive internships - Six students were selected to spend the 2023 spring semester in Nashville as legislative interns. Five students interviewed and accepted positions with the Tennessee Legislative Internship Program for the spring 2023 session of the Tennessee General Assembly, and one student interned with the UT System’s Office of Government Relations and Advocacy. Iman Ahmed, of Memphis; Ethan Bledsoe, of Jamestown; Patrick Davis, of Jackson; Cindy Solis, of Shelbyville; and Dezarai White, of Bradford, were legislative interns for the Tennessee General Assembly. Ahmed and Solis are political science majors, Davis and White are criminal justice majors, and Bledsoe is majoring in agricultural business. Julia Law, a political science major from Memphis, interned with the UT System.

Retires after 41 years – Dr. Vicki Seng was honored Nov. 3 for 41 years of service during a retirement reception in the Holland McCombs Center. She retired as professor of nursing and associate provost in the Division of Academic Affairs.

Family Weekend held – The annual Family Weekend event was held Nov. 4-6 and included food trucks, live music, visits with academic deans and city officials, tailgating, and the UT Martin-Kennesaw State football game. Family Weekend is coordinated by the Division of Student Affairs.

Pageant winners crowned – Caleigh Jo Erwin, of Dyersburg, and Karenna Rainey, of Adamsville, both UT Martin students, were crowned Miss UT Martin and Miss Tennessee Soybean Festival respectively during the combined pageant held Nov. 5 in the Boling University Center’s Duncan Ballroom. The Miss UT Martin Scholarship Pageant is in its 59th year, while the Miss Tennessee Soybean Festival title was awarded for the 23rd time. (top-left, page 32)

Rodeo Coach Retires

Following a 25-year career as the UT Martin rodeo coach, John Luthi retired following the 54th Annual UT Martin Spring Rodeo. His long list of accomplishments includes overseeing the 2014 men’s rodeo team as they won the national team championship, making UT Martin the first college located east of the Mississippi River to accomplish that feat.

Highlights

Skyhawks soar to championships – The Skyhawk volleyball team won the Ohio Valley Conference regular season championship while the football team earned a share of the regular-season title, the second consecutive year for the team to claim a conference championship. The football team also won the Sgt. York Trophy for the 10th time, which goes to the team that wins the most games against fellow OVC universities in Tennessee. (see page 22)

Donors honored – The Division of University Advancement recognized university donors Nov. 5 during the inaugural President’s “Jeans and Jewels” Gala at Discovery Park in Union City. Members of the 1900 Society, 20-plus consecutive year donors, and Lifetime Giving Societies were honored. Among the speakers was UT Foundation President Kerry Witcher.

Buschhaus covers bats, biology and undergraduate researchDr. Nancy Buschhaus, interim dean for the College of Engineering and Natural Sciences, presented “Listening to Bats – An Odyssey of Experiential Learning and Undergraduate Research” on Nov. 10 as part of a series celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi on the UT Martin campus. As the nation’s oldest and most selective multidisciplinary collegiate honor society, Phi Kappa Phi initiates more than 25,000 students, graduate students, faculty and staff each year on more than 325 campuses across the United States, its territories and the Philippines.

Serves on agriculture advisory team – Jordan Stringfield, a sophomore agriculture business major from McEwen, was selected as a member of the 2023 Agriculture Future of America Student Advisory Team during the AFA Leaders Conference, Nov. 10-13, in Kansas City, Missouri. Only 10 members were selected to serve on the advisory team out of 792 delegates that attended from 103 colleges.

Court held on campus – The Tennessee Court of Appeals visited UT Martin on Nov. 15 to hold oral arguments before a live audience and guests. Students and faculty were invited to listen the proceedings in the Boling University Center’s Watkins Auditorium. Court of Appeals Judge Steve Stafford, of Dyersburg, a UT Martin alum, participated in the event. Earlier in the year on April 20, the court also heard oral arguments on campus before a live audience. (top-right)

Leads state organization – Destin Tucker, director of undergraduate admissions, attended and led the Tennessee Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers meeting Nov. 16-18 in Knoxville. She serves as the organization’s president.

Empty Bowls continues fight against hunger – The 19th Empty Bowls fundraiser to benefit We Care Ministries Inc. and fight area hunger was held Nov. 19. The fundraiser was founded by retired UT Martin art professor and potter David McBeth who returned to assist with making the handcrafted bowls.

Eternal Flame “burns” again – The university’s eternal flame burned brightly just outside of the Paul Meek Library from 1986 until the flame was extinguished sometime around 2000. The flame was “relighted” during a Nov. 28 ceremony in the library when a ceramic flame was placed atop the display that resides on the second floor. David McBeth, a recently retired fine arts faculty member, created the flame. (middle, page 37)

DECEMBER

WestTeach graduates 4th class – Twenty-four members of the fourth WestTeach class graduated Dec. 13 at UT Martin. WestTeach was created as a class project by the university’s 2017 WestStar Leadership Program class as a teacher-development initiative. A new class is selected annually by the program’s advisory committee following teacher nominations by school superintendents and directors. West Tennessee teachers selected to participate learn about the region’s economic needs and opportunities. (top-right)

Holiday tradition to support local families continues – The university hosted the 38th annual Santa’s Village on Dec. 8-11 in the Ned Ray McWherter Agricultural Complex. The event, co-hosted with the city of Martin, collects canned foods and toys to benefit local families in need.

Receives new banking program’s first scholarship – Cheyenne Stewart, a sophomore from Centerville, is the first recipient of a new scholarship provided by the university’s Banking Career Scholarship Program. First Farmers and Merchants Bank, headquartered in Columbia, has partnered with the university to provide College of Business and Global Affairs students with an additional opportunity for scholarship dollars to support preparation for banking careers. (bottom-right)

Latimer-Smith Engineering & Science Building

Bill and Carol Latimer’s generosity to UT Martin will inspire and change the lives of future generations to come. The Union City couple’s $6.5 million gift made it possible for the completion of the Latimer-Smith Engineering and Science Building, the university’s first new academic building in 40 years.

This $65 million, 120,000-squarefoot, three-story building was dedicated during a ceremony on Thursday, Oct. 27. The generosity did not stop here, though, for the Latimer’s. On the day of the dedication, board members approved Bill Latimer’s request to add Dr. Bob Smith’s name to the building in recognition of the former UT Martin chancellor’s service to the university.

Firsts Achieved

The 2022 December commencement ceremonies were full of firsts. Emmalee Mathews, a health and human performance student from Dickson, became the first recipient of the Nunnelly Family Scholarship to graduate. Rosann and her late husband, Bill, bequeathed $22 million to the university and immediately began funding scholarships.

Also, Cpt. Wesley Stafford, director of training for the Tennessee Highway Patrol, became the first graduate of the UT Martin Master of Science in Criminal Justice program.

Annual Report

Gifts of $1,000,000 or More

Paul Blaylock, M.D., J.D. and Gaynelle Nolf, Ph.D

Mary Jo Dougherty *

Gifts of $250,000 or More

Pepsi MidAmerica

Gifts of $100,000 or More

William L. Blankenship

Brittany Kasprack

Henry L. Farrar *

Nancy Graham *

Jeffrey and Alanda Gross

Perry J. Hockaday *

Peggy Lovejoy

Rosann Nunnelly

The Tucker Foundation

Gifts of $50,000 or More

John and Jane Clark

Leland and Tajuana Davis

Sylvia Collier Davis

Hamilton-Ryker Group, Inc.

J. Reginald Hill

Gerald M. Holloway

Dennis and Constance Keller

Dorothy White and Jaime White Koziol

Samuel E. Landrum

Clinton and Renee Marshall

Amy and Bill Rhodes

Selmer/McNairy County Industrial Development Board

James and Alonna Tosh

Weakley Farmers Co-op

Gifts of $25,000 or More

Milo and Shirley Borden

Sal and Kris Capua

Warren and Patricia Carmichael

Rebecca Lynn Claytor

Marvin Downing

EBSCO Industries, Inc.

Joe and Vicki Exum

Paul Fisher

Susan Holly Gallup

Robert and Karen Hinson

Walter Hoffmann and Ann Johnson

HundredX, Inc.

La Grange Cultural Foundation, Inc.

Michelle Malec

Marshall and Martha Priest

Security Bank & Trust Company

Mary Baird Simpson *

Alison Lee Smith

Taylor Automotive

UT Federal Credit Union

Danny and Alma Watkins

Jim and Barbara Wingett

Gifts of $10,000 or More

Jerry and Clara Jo Arnold

Betsy Ross Foundation, Inc.

Kyle and Laura Bond

Randy and Jenny Boyd

Raymond A. Bratcher *

Hal and Melanie Bynum

Carroll Bank and Trust

Robert E. Clendenin Jr.

Greg and Isabella Cole

Patrick and Karen Culumovic

Design Team Sign Company

Mary E. Devault *

Nick and Cathy Dunagan

Farm Credit Mid-America

FB Financial Corporation

First Choice Farm & Lawn

John and Elizabeth Foote

Keith and Linda Fowler

Todd and Jennifer Hampton

Yukari Hyde

Mark and Kathryn Joyner

Gail M. Latimer

Donnie and Nancy Leggett

Garette and Sarah Lockee

H.J. and Mary Lou Maxedon

Joe and Karolyn Mobley

Charles and Bettye Moore

Robert and Patricia Moore

Bill and Sandra Murray

George L. Nelson

Janice W. Noble

Ochiltree Foundation

Performance Chiropractic, LLC

Randy and Margaret Perry

Dee Fields Pritchett

Jerry and Gwen Reese

Nina Tolley Reese

Ripley Gas and Water

Rodeo Boosters Club, Inc.

Jack and Barbara Shannon

SMC Recycling

Art and Tammy Sparks

R. Van Swaim

Tennessee Farmers Cooperative

Charles L. Youngerman

Gifts of $1,000 or More

Hans and Lori Airee

John and Beverly Akers

Alexander Thompson Arnold, PLLC

Lynn M. Alexander

Alpha Delta Kappa - Omicron Chapter

Alpha Gamma Rho Alumni Association

Sudie W. Alston

Anna Kate Wenz Fight Foundation

Robert V. Anthony

Kendrick Triggs and April ArmstrongTriggs

Bradley Arnold

Yonja L. Arnold

AstraZeneca, Inc.

Atlantic Logistics Management, LLC

Bill and Dianne Austin

Patrick and D’Ann Averwater

Stephen and Mary Ann Baker

Bancshares of Ripley, Inc.

John and Kathy Barker

Janice Barnes

BB’s Warehouse

Beard Farms

Robert and Mary Beard

Alex Beene

Amy Cole Belew

Bart A. Belew

Will and Denise Bell

Jack and Cynthia Bendure

Benefits First, LLC

Annual Report

James R. and Teresa J. Bentley

Phil and Tracey Bivens

Boeing Company Foundation

Russell and Selena Bragg

John and Patricia Branch

Joe and Phyllis Brasher

Kathryn Y. Bray

Brayton Foundation

Jason and Jill Brigance

Eric and Rebecca Brockwell

Cheryl Browne

Glenn and Jamie Bruce

John and Julia Brundige

David H. Bryan

Barry and Pamela Buckley

John and Kathy Bucy

Nathan and Pamela Burke

Kathleen Buyck

Timothy and Delana Buyck

Walter Buyck

Alex and Kate Bynum

Jake and Alyssa Bynum

Stephen and Alice-Catherine Carls

Jerry and Linda Carpenter

Chris and Kathy Carroll

Bob and Kay Carroll

Keith and Hollianne Carver

Alan and Kim Cary

Roger and Diedre Castaldo

Glad and Wanda Castellaw

Wendell and Frances Cates

Charles and Michelle Cavaness

B. Danielle Cavender

Dennis Cavin

Centennial Bank

Central Distributors, Inc.

Chapman Canopy, Inc.

Chickasaw Electric

Key and Amy Chu

Anne P. Church *

Phillip and Mitsy Clendenin

Jason and Brandie Cole

Andy and Susanne Collins

Color Shop Construction

Commercial Bank and Trust

Conner Real Estate

ConocoPhillips

Country Radio Broadcasters, Inc.

Cade Cowan

Russell and Betty Cox

Coy Lutz Memorial Scholarship Fund

CRC Group, LLC

Jay and Dorothy Crews

Bobby and Ouida Crisp

David and Heard Critchlow

Jimmy and Diane Croom

George and Bonnie Daniel

Charley and Shannon Deal

Elwood and Denise Doss

Christopher and Tracy Dowell

Cody and Glenna Dunagan

Ann Duncan

Robert and Sarah Duncan

Brian and Emily Dunn

Doris Dunn

Ray L. Dunn Jr.

Beverly Eaton

Carol A. Eckert

Enterprise Holdings Foundation

Timothy and Heather Erskine

William and Jennifer Esposito

Wilburn and Joellen Evans

F and M Consulting, Inc.

Danelle Fabianich

Fastenal

Matthew T. Fennel

Scott Lewis Ferguson

Fetner, LLC

Carla W. Field

Financial Marketplace, Inc.

First Bank

First Farmers & Merchants Bank

Robert and Jackie Fitts

Walter and Heidi Fletcher

Forcum Lannom Contractors, LLC

Danny and Beth Forrester

Brian and Kim Foster

Frank C. Wilson Equestrian Woodworking

Franklin Noon Rotary Charitable Foundation

Fuller Partners Real Estate

Richard Garlitz and Renee LaFleur

Emery and Judith Gathers

Kent and Mary Ann Gearin

Ray and Suzanne Geddings

Frank and Jan Gibson

Michael and Edie Gibson

Bettye L. Giles

Rusty and Candy Goad

Roy Neil Graves

Jeff Gregory

Carolyn P. Gresham

Darcia D. Gresham

Darryl and Sarah Gresham

Bud and Virginia Grimes

Jacky and Nell Gullett

Monice Hagler

Forrest and Bonnie Hall

James and Mary Lee Hall

Geoffrey and Meg Kinnard Hardee

Hardin County UT Alumni Association

Charles and Marita Harding

David and Dana Hart

David and Lori Hays

Julie Henderson

William and Constance Hensley

Bobby and Barbara Higgs

Linda Sue Highers

Michael and Nancy Hinds

Dickey and Waldeen Hinson

Ronald V. Hite

John and Rebecca Hodges

Adam and Andrea Holland

Robert and Patricia Holt

HTL Advantage

Michael and Kris Huber

Joe and Cynthia Hunt

William and Stephannie Hurt

Renee Iacona

In the Big Inning, LLC

John and Laurinda Ingram

Richard and Melba Jackson

McRae and Mary Jarrett *

Jessup and Associates

James and Stephanie Johnson

Ben Jones

Annual Report

Donna L. Jones

Michael and Jamie Jordan

Kerry Killebrew Advertising

Richard and Connie Killebrew

Ron and Carol Kirkland

Louis and Stephanie Kolitsch

Caleb H. Lamb

Kent and Elizabeth Landers

Bill and Carol Latimer

Trent and Joanna Latta

David and Jennifer LaVelle

Ted Lawson

Leaders Education Foundation Inc.

Visual Art Society

Charmaine R. Lee *

J. Thomas and Camille Legins

Daryl Leonard

Rodger P. Lewis

Thomas and Frances Lindow

Shane Lynch

Hadley Malone

James and Katherine Mantooth

Jason and Brittany Martin

MasterFit Medical Supply, LLC

Jack and Shelby Matthis

Lee and Ann Carol (A.C.) Mayo

David and Donna McBeth

Wayne and Diane McCreight

Dennis and Linda McCurry

Barry McIntosh Jr.

Chad and Taylor McMackin

Christopher and Petra McPhearson

Michael and Mary Jane McWherter

Mectech, LLC

Joey and Sandy Mehlhorn

Memphis Veterinary Specialists, LLC

Zachariah Todd Mills

Moscow United Methodist Church

Amy Moser

Ernie and Penny Moser

Mike and Carolyn Moss

Patricia and Hunter Mountjoy

Robert and Jeanie Nanney

Nashville International Airport

Nashville Superspeedway, USA, Inc.

Ronnie and Carol Neill

Stewart and Martha Nelson

Northwest Tennessee Development District

Northwestern Mutual

Northwestern Mutual Foundation

Joseph and Lee Ann Norville

Nunn Cotton Company, Inc.

Bob and Jo Page

Parker-Hannifin Foundation

Edgar and Judy Parker

Walter Parrish and Judy Colonnese

Mario and Tonya Parson

Frank and Vanessa Paulino

Pest Stop, Inc.

PetVet Care Centers Management, LLC

Gregory and Lorraine Phelps

Raymond and Donna Pollard

Mitchell L. Pollard

Anthony Prewitt

Jack and Linda Price

Tom and Carol Pulliam

Todd Putvinski

Quick Properties, LLC

Linda Ramsey

Charles and Judy Rayburn

Arnold L. Redman

Rehabilitation Corporation of Tennessee

Michael A. Revelle

RFW Construction Group, LLC

Amy Richards

Thomas and Pamela Ricko

Brad and Angie Ridgeway

Ryan and Cherie Roberts

Richard C. Robinson

William and Janet Robison

Rotary International District 6800

Mary Ann Sabo

Amadou and Yaye-Mah Sar

Jennie Sargent

Ronald and Carolyn Schomaker

Allen and Carolyn Searcy

Security Bank

Victoria A. Seng

Shaidnagle Luckey Family Gifts

Timothy and Mary Shanks

Jean E. Sharp

Simmons Bank

Jason and Julie Simpson

Skyhawk Rentals, LLC

Barry and Kathy Smith

Brian W. Smith

Ray and Marie Smith

Clinton Smith

Robert and Ramona Smith

Ray and Wilma Smith

Tim and Donna Soder

Melinda A. Solmon

Southwest

Tennessee Development District

ST Genetics

Justin and Stephanie Stewart

Dewitt and Carolyn Stone

Todd and Stacie Sullivan

Keith and Jeanna Swafford

Swaim Realty

Mark Swaim

John and Betty Ann Tanner

Charles Taylor

Joe and Beverly Taylor

Herbert and Andrea Taylor

Phillip Taylor

Tennessee Council of Cooperatives

Tennessee Farm Bureau Federation

Tennessee Vet Med Association

Samuel and Gale Tharpe

The Broadway Group, LLC

Bobby M. Thigpen

Thunderbolt Broadcasting Company

TLM Associates, Inc.

Ahmad and Nazanin Tootoonchi

Trane Company

Jimmy and Barbara Trentham

Evan and Eva Trevathan

Tyson Foods

Joel Usery and Becky Fox-Usery

Steve and Vicki Vantrease

Cary and Lalania Vaughn

William and Mary Vowell

Vulcan Materials Company

Alexander and Linda Waddell

Will and Kimberly Wade

Annual

Walker Diesel Services

Danny and Susan Walker

Weakley County Soil Conservation District

Weakley County Young Professionals

Phil and Brenda Wenk

West Tennessee Healthcare Foundation

West Tennessee Healthcare, Inc.

West Tennessee Industrial Association, Inc.

West Tennessee Young Farmer/ Homemakers Leadership Development

Walton and Cynthia West

Report

James H. Westbrook Jr.

Larry and Kay White

Tim and Ruth White

Jerry and Carla Wilhite

Victoria Wilkinson

J. Randy and Ann Williams

Dennis and Sue Williams

Rufus and Sherry Wilson

Sheila Williams Wilson

Todd and Susan Winters

Thomas and Patty Witty

John and Patricia Woolfolk

Earl and Jenna Wright

Jeremy and Gretchen Zahn

Sandra Zehntner

Ken Zimmerman

New Legacy Society Members -Deferred Pledges

David Kellett Hochreiter

* deceased

Thank You!

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, 2022, and ending December 31, 2022. 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 University of Tennessee at Martin is a primary campus in the University of Tennessee System. Learn more at utm.edu.