Lauren Reed: Born to Go to UT

Lauren Reed '21 became conversationally fluent in American Sign Language (ASL) after spending time in the classroom of her mother, Lori Reed, who teaches deaf children at Eakin Elementary School in Nashville. Lauren is building on that background and minoring in ASL at UT while volunteering her time at the nearby Tennessee School for the Deaf.

Reed is also president of the prestigious Student Alumni Associates (SAA). "It's my favorite organization on campus," she says. "You interact with inspiring alumni and university officials and have the opportunity to support UT's mission in a meaningful way."

"She is wise beyond her years," says Gina Martin, director for the Center of Student Alumni Programs and SAA coordinator. "She always thinks 10 steps ahead. She's a real strategic thinker and really creative in how she goes about things." This helps Reed in her role as a social media intern for UT Athletics.

As a communications major focusing on digital media marketing, she got the job at the start of her freshman year, and since then has managed and published content on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram with the goal of communicating information, promoting fan engagement, and cultivating the Volunteer spirit. "I've learned so much—content planning, creative skills, what works, and what doesn't."

This year Reed was a finalist among hundreds of contestants in Instagram's national "Student Section" competition, in which students are asked to "Tell the story of your game day" on social media. "Most schools have similar elements—a parade, tailgates, a team walk to the stadium," says Reed. "The challenge is to make your posts the most interesting."

While neither of her parents went to UT, "they loved Tennessee forever," says Reed. "I came home from the hospital in a 'Born to go to UT onesie.' I grew up in C-60 in Neyland. I sent high school graduation announcements to the people who sat around us. It runs deep." When she went on a tour of campus, she told her mother, "I could have given this tour." UT was the only school she applied to.

"We had a college fund and there was some money in it, but it wouldn't have lasted four years. Because of my scholarships, I don't have to have a job to pay the rest of my expenses, and it gives me the opportunity to intern with Athletics and volunteer at the Tennessee School for the Deaf and other activities, like the SAA. The generosity of donors has enabled me to have a richer college experience than I would have otherwise."

Want to make a life-changing impact on future Vols like Lauren Reed? Contact the Office of Gift Planning at 865-974-3388 or giftplanning@utk.edu to take the first step toward securing your Volunteer legacy.