Meet the Volunteers

Opening Doors for Mental Health Workers

Hilary Hamlin (MSSW’76) sees a need for more access to social work education. So, she created it through a scholarship within her estate plan.

A Scholarship Makes UT Education Accessible for Deaf Studies Major

Thanks to scholarships, Brianna Johnson is making her dreams come true.

A ‘Kind’ness Realized

Nicole Swartwood (’14) left the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, with five undergraduate degrees completed in six years. Now a research analyst at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, she leads research in global infectious diseases, with a focus on tuberculosis.

Leslie Benmark, Lisa Edwards Reed and Missy Wallen

Three Alumnae Building the Future

Read how Leslie Benmark ('67, '70), Lisa Edwards Reed ('86), and Missy Wallen ('74) empower and inspire future generations of UT students through their estate plans.

Elizabeth Bains standing with a group of people

Remembering a Dynamic Duo

The Department of Physics and Astronomy was honored and delighted to receive the largest unrestricted gift in its history from Elizabeth and James Bains, who earned their PhDs from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, in the 1970s.

Emergency Fund Helps Nontraditional Student Thrive as an Educator

For David Leventhal (’07, ’20), the coronavirus pandemic hit during an already challenging time. A nontraditional student, Leventhal returned to UT to pursue a master’s degree in secondary education and teaching with a young child to support and a mortgage to pay.

Charitable Bequests Ensure Legacy of Cowgirl ‘Culture’

Sue Conley and Peggy Smith (’75) are matching their passion for farm-to-table food production with their passion for UT by revitalizing the UT Creamery—and ensuring its success through bequests in their wills.

Couple Boost Alumni Chapter Tri-Star Scholarships with New Endowment

Phil and Brenda Wenk believe in giving back no matter the circumstances. The endowment they created at UT will undoubtedly support future Vols who need assistance.

Lauren Reed: Born to Go to UT

Lauren Reed’s parents were such big fans of UT that it was assumed she would one day attend school there. With the help of scholarships, Lauren is realizing those dreams of being a Vol.

The Mossman Scholars Endowment

Ken and Blaire Mossman's love of learning convinced them to make a gift to UT. Today, the Mossman Scholars Endowment is helping students travel abroad in search of transformational learning opportunities.

Creating Opportunities for Experiential Learning

"I am passionate about sports," says Nick Giecek, who played hockey and lacrosse during his years at Knoxville Catholic High. "But more importantly, I am passionate about helping people with disabilities." Giecek's twin brother, Drew, has an intellectual disability and autism. "Having a brother who has special needs has made me more patient, understanding, and willing to help people who need care."

A Planned Gift Grows Student Engineers and Entrepreneurs

The Engineering Entrepreneurship Program teaches engineering students how to be leaders in the field. It's supported, in different ways, by a UT alumnus with a familial connection to a current UT professor.

Where His Heart Is

In his years as founding principal of EMC Structural Engineers in Nashville, Terry P. Scholes ('79) made his marks on blueprints in orange ink. "My blood has always run orange," says Scholes. "But it also stands out. Everybody in this town knows that if it's an orange mark, it's mine."

The Ruth L. Huenemann Fellowship Endowment

Ruth Huenemann's fellowship endowment is supporting graduate students who demonstrate professional promise in the public health nutrition field.

A Win-Win Gift

By donating his IRA required minimum distribution to UT, Allen "Al" Separk ('69) helped his law school and reduced his income tax liability.

An Endowed Professorship Puts UT on the Cutting Edge of Telecommunications

Larry Patrick wanted to find a way to honor Herb Howard, a longtime professor in the College of Communication and Information. Patrick did it with an endowed professorship.

A Gift of Leadership

An unrestricted gift made by Larry Wilks inspired a former classmate, George T. “Buck” Lewis to do the same. Read about the impact of their gifts on UT.

A Legacy of Natural History Beauty

Through their bequest to McClung Museum, Joel and Ardie Rynning have preserved their cherished ornithological lithographs.

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