Campus Scene Winter/Spring 2026

CHANCELLOR'S corner

Dear Alumni and Friends:

The university’s new marketing message, What if you could?, challenges prospective students to consider how a UT Martin education can change their lives for the better. As a UT Martin graduate or friend of the university, you already know how our facilities, faculty, staff, and access through our regional centers and UT Martin Online are making it possible for individuals to make a positive difference.

Exciting things are happening at your university that encourage all of us for UT Martin’s future and the progress yet to be realized.

• Enrollment – The fall 2025 enrollment of 8,101 tied the second-highest in university histor y. The first-year class is the largest in 15 years. Retention remains high, which means that more students are persisting to graduation. The new LatimerSmith Engineering and Science Building and future Business Administration Building are evidence of UT Martin’s commitment to high-quality educational programs and attracting more students who will change our community, state, nation, and world. What if you could attract and educate more outstanding students? UT Martin is answering the question through better facilities and growing enrollments.

• Leadership Searches – Drs. Laurie Couch and Matthew Bice have been named to key UT Martin academic leadership positions. Dr. Couch was named in December as the new provost and senior vice chancellor for academic affairs, and Dr. Bice was announced in January as the new dean for the College of Education, Health, and Behavioral Sciences. Dr. Couch previously served as provost and senior vice president of academic affairs at Salisbury University in Maryland. Dr. Bice was the provost and vice president for academic affairs at Baker University in Baldwin City, Kansas. These are exemplary leaders who have the vision to guide our outstanding academic programs. What if you could attract the best people to join the journey with us? UT Martin is doing just that by engaging transformational people to lead the way.

• The 125th Anniversary Celebration – If our past is any predictor of the future, the best days lie ahead for UT Martin. We opened the 125th Anniversary Celebration on Oct. 10 to commemorate UT Martin’s founding in 1900 as Hall-Moody Institute. President Randy Boyd joined us in Watkins Auditorium as we talked about UT Martin’s past and looked into a promising future. It’s a future that includes more students like Ashlee Mallon of Dresden, student trustee for the UT Board of Trustees, and someone who exemplifies those who leverage their UT Martin experience to a successful future. What if you could see a future as bright as our past? It’s already happening at UT Martin.

Together, possibilities become realities as we move the university forward to better serve those who depend on UT Martin as a higher-education leader. Keep asking, “What if you could?” as we chart a course for the next 125 years.

All the Best,

Dr.

Yancy

Freeman Sr. Chancellor

FACULTY spotlight

TARA TANSIL-GENTRY Department of Health and Human Performance

From the court to the classroom, Tara Tansil-Gentry (’95) has always strived for excellence.

Tansil-Gentry has dedicated over three decades to UT Martin as a student-athlete, a coach and an educator. Throughout her decorated career in athletics and education, TansilGentry has added many titles to her name.

Her career with UT Martin began in 1991 as a recruit for the Lady Pacers, guiding the team through the transition from Division II to Division I athletics. She led her team in scoring all four seasons, ending her career as a student-athlete ranked second at UT Martin for career scoring – currently ranked sixth – and as a two-time All-OVC athlete and member of the OVC Academic Honor Roll.

In 1996, she returned to the court and began her coaching career with UT Martin women’s basketball as assistant coach before becoming the program’s head coach in 2004.

In 2000, Tansil-Gentry was inducted into the UT Martin Athletics Hall of Fame alongside a good friend, roommate and former high school rival, Gina McClure (’94,’97), UT Martin assistant vice chancellor of student and residential life.

After a five-year run as head coach, Tansil-Gentry stepped down in 2009 to accept a teaching position as a lecturer in the Department of Health and Human Performance, transitioning into the classroom setting.

The transition from coaching to teaching came easily to Tansil-Gentry, who holds her bachelor’s degree in secondary education.

“I believe that coaching is another form of teaching,” she said. “It is important to address the different learning styles to best help every student in the classroom or on the court.”

Tansil-Gentry remains on the court and gives back to her community as a volunteer coach for her alma mater, Greenfield High School, and its girls’ basketball team. In 2022, her contributions to high school and university athletics were honored with her induction into the inaugural class of the Weakley County Sports Hall of Fame.

She cites both of her hall of fame inductions as her proudest achievements, a testament to her hard work and dedication throughout her basketball career.

Earlier this year, Tansil-Gentry was recognized as a UT System President’s Award “Embrace Diversity” honoree (above), commemorating over three decades of service to the UT System.

“I really enjoy what I do; it doesn’t feel like work to me,” she said. “I love my job.”

Published semiannually by

The University of Tennessee at Martin Martin, Tennessee 38238

Randy Boyd, President The University of Tennessee System

Dr. Yancy E. Freeman Sr., Chancellor The University of Tennessee at Martin

Jeanna Curtis-Swafford Vice Chancellor for University Advancement

Dr. Jackie Johnson (’08, ’10)

Associate Vice Chancellor for Alumni Relations and Chief Engagement Officer

Nathan Morgan Campus Scene Editor, University Relations Assistant Director of News and Visuals

Editorial Contributions

Bud Grimes (’78), Dr. Jackie Johnson, Maddy Kennedy, Nathan Morgan, Ryne Rickman, Holly Anne Seng ('19), David Snow

Design and Layout Anna Chapman (’20)

Photo Contributions

Alex Boggis (’11, ’13), Arianne Boma, Dylan Ingram ('23, '25), Charles Kemp, Nathan Morgan, Preston Pooler, Indiana Fever, Texas Tailgaters

Copy Editors

Elle Edwards, Bud Grimes, Nathan Morgan, David Snow

Original story ideas, photo ideas and manuscripts may be used at the editor’s discretion. Photos and submitted works cannot be returned. Some interviews are conducted via email and other electronic means. Unless otherwise noted, all towns and cities mentioned are located in Tennessee. Campus Scene is not a news magazine.

Comments and feedback may be directed to Nathan Morgan, Campus Scene editor, nmorga15@utm.edu, 224 Holt Humanities Building, Martin, TN 38238, 731-881-7617.

34,000 copies printed by Lane Press, South Burlington, Vermont

A chronological look at the people, programs, and milestones that have defined UT Martin athletics over the past 125 years

By Ryne Rickman

LIVING HISTORY

Bob Carroll’s journey through 75 years of UT Martin history

By David Snow

BLAZING TRAILS

Mark Joyner combines a fierce head for business with a heart for service to successfully navigate the fiduciary landscape

By Holly Anne Seng

By Bud Grimes

125 AND COUNTING

– UT Martin kicked off its yearlong 125th anniversary celebration Oct. 10 with a formal ceremony in Watkins Auditorium. Those in attendance for the ceremony were UT System President Randy Boyd, Chancellor Yancy Freeman Sr. and his cabinet members, local and state government officials, and former UT Martin chancellors Dr. Philip Conn (1998-2000), Dr. Nick Dunagan (2001-07), Dr. Robert Smith (2015-17), and Dr. Keith Carver (2017-23). Speakers reflected on UT Martin’s milestones from its beginnings as Hall-Moody Institute in 1900 to its growth into a leading regional institution and celebrated its legacy of perseverance, purpose, and progress.

The ceremony marked the start of a year of special events recognizing 125 years of education and service to West Tennessee and beyond that will conclude in September.

PUSSER FILES MADE PUBLIC – UT Martin Chancellor Yancy Freeman Sr. speaks at a joint media conference Aug. 29 with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation and the 25th Judicial District of Tennessee regarding the investigation case file in the death of Pauline Mullins Pusser. The file, detailing the 1967 death of Pauline Pusser, wife of the late McNairy County Sheriff Buford Pusser, was officially transferred to UT Martin for public access and educational use. Freeman said the university is honored to serve as the steward of the historical records, calling the collection “a powerful teaching and research opportunity.” The case file has been digitized as part of UT Martin’s archival initiative and is now available online at utm.edu/paulinepusser It can also be viewed in person at the UT Martin McNairy County Center/Selmer. Those wishing to access the file in person or request a printed copy should visit utm.edu/selmer to schedule an appointment.

The University of Tennessee at Martin CAMPUS

FOUR UTM EMPLOYEES EARN PRESIDENT’S AWARDS

– Four UT Martin faculty and staff members were among 17 recipients of the 2025 University of Tennessee President’s Awards, announced July 1 during the UT System Board of Trustees meeting at UT Chattanooga. The annual awards recognize exceptional faculty and staff who exemplify the UT System’s “Be One UT” values.

UT Martin honorees pictured above with UT Martin Chancellor Yancy Freeman Sr. included (l-r) Kameron Echols ('17), director of student leadership and campus culture, Embrace Diversity Award (staff); Judy Sandefer, executive assistant in the Office of the Chancellor, Excel in All We Do Award (staff); Tara Tansil-Gentry ('95), lecturer in health and human performance, Embrace Diversity Award (faculty); and Gina McClure ('94, '97), assistant vice chancellor for student and residential life, Optimistic and Visionary Award (staff).

“These awards celebrate the dedication and remarkable work of our faculty and staff throughout the state,” said UT System President Randy Boyd. “Their contributions create a better University of Tennessee and also impact the state and far beyond.”

President’s Awards are presented annually in seven categories and include commemorative and monetary honors. Winners are selected from nominations submitted by campus and institute leaders across the UT System.

BOYD, UT AG COMMISSION VISIT UTM CAMPUS

– UT System President Randy Boyd (right, center) met with the UT Martin tractor team that placed 10th in the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers (ASABE) International QuarterScale Tractor Student Design Competition held May 29-June 1 in Peoria, Illinois, as part of a visit to Martin by the UT Commission on Agriculture. Joining Boyd were Dr. Todd Winters (to the right of Boyd), dean of the College of Agriculture and Applied Sciences; and Chancellor Yancy Freeman Sr. (left). The UT Commission on Agriculture is an advisory group that meets quarterly and rotates meeting sites around Tennessee.

UT MARTIN ANNOUNCES SECOND-HIGHEST ENROLLMENT EVER

– UT Martin recorded its second-highest fall enrollment in history with 8,101 students enrolled for the fall 2025 semester across its main campus and six regional centers in Jackson, Parsons, Ripley, Selmer, Somerville, and Springfield. The university’s record enrollment was 8,469 in fall 2010.

Fall 2025 enrollment represented a 7.9% increase from the previous year’s 7,507 students, marking the largest student body since 2010. Undergraduate enrollment rose 8.4% to 7,393 students, while graduate enrollment increased 2.6% to 708.

“We appreciate each student and family who has placed their confidence and trust in choosing to attend UT Martin,” said Chancellor Yancy Freeman Sr. “We believe ‘Every student, every day’ best describes our commitment to offering the best highereducation experience possible.”

The fall 2025 first-year class — UT Martin’s largest in 15 years — totaled 1,329 students, an 8.9% increase from 2024. The most popular majors among first-year students were nursing, veterinary science and technology, health and human performance, management, and agricultural business.

Student retention reached 75.2%, the second-highest in the last decade, while dual enrollment participation grew to 2,111 students.

UTM OPENS LIBRARY LEARNING COMMONS

UT Martin officially opened its new Library Learning Commons on Sept. 3 with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on the main floor of the Paul Meek Library. The new space brings together tutoring, writing assistance and academic coaching in one location designed to support student success.

Dr. Amanda Mansfield ('18) (above, center), a UT Martin alumna who earned her MBA in 2020 and her bachelor’s degree in sociology in 2018, serves as coordinator of the Learning Commons. As a student, she worked with the Supplemental Instruction Program and now oversees academic coaches and peer tutors who help students strengthen their study skills and coursework.

Dr. Erik Nordberg (above, right), dean of the Paul Meek Library, said the project was three years in the making and funded through student facilities fees and a $1.54 million Title III Strengthening Institutions Program grant.

“Students who take advantage of academic support services do better,” he said. “They attain higher GPAs, (and) are more likely to progress semester to semester and to graduation.”

The Library Learning Commons also features new technology, study areas and consultation booths to make academic support easier and more accessible for students.

UTM ANNOUNCES MASTER OF SCIENCE IN SOCIAL WORK PROGRAM –

UT Martin has announced a new Master of Science in Social Work (MSSW) degree program, set to begin in August 2026. Applications for the fully online program are now open, with the first degrees expected to be awarded in May 2027.

The MSSW program will prepare advanced generalist social workers to serve individuals, families, and groups in rural communities. Students may apply for advanced-standing admission, designed for graduates with a bachelor’s degree in social work and can be completed in one year, or regular-standing admission, open to other majors and can be completed in two years. Both full- and part-time options will be available.

“A degree in social work enhances any profession that works with people,” said Alicia Maya Donaldson ('00), professor of social work and director of UTM’s undergraduate program. “I have yet to find one area where a social worker ’s skills and approach would not be beneficial.”

Dr. Katrinna Matthews ('07), associate professor of social work, was named MSSW program director. The graduate program builds on UTM’s long-standing undergraduate social work degree, established in 1970 and now offered at all six regional centers.

POWER GENERATION FACILITY MARKS 20TH YEAR –

UT Martin marked the 20th anniversary of its on-campus Power Generation Facility, which not only supplies electricity when needed but also serves as a learning site for agriculture and engineering students.

Completed in October 2005 at a cost of $4.9 million, the facility can produce up to 8 megawatts of power using four diesel generators. Under normal conditions, UTM receives electricity through the Weakley County Municipal Electrical System, but the generators can supply power to the campus or assist the Tennessee Valley Authority during high-demand periods.

“When TVA requests us to operate, we actually power the campus with the generators, and the rest is sent out for TVA to use elsewhere,” said Dana Hagan ('94), UTM Physical Plant director. “TVA pays UTM monthly to be available for this as well as paying when we run power for them.”

Located on Jerry Gresham Road north of campus, the facility includes a classroom where students study energy systems and observe the generators in operation. It also provides a training space for university staff and capital project planning.

UTM CREATES SAIL PROGRAM WITH GRANT FUNDING –

UT Martin was one of five universities to receive a Tennessee Believes grant from the Tennessee Department of Disability and Aging, announced April 9, 2025. The three-year, $387,751 grant will fund the creation of the Skyhawks Achieving In Life (SAIL) program, which will provide students with intellectual disabilities access to a full college experience.The program will launch Aug. 24 and applications opened last November

The UT Martin program is coordinated by Cassie Luna and is overseen by Dr. Clinton Smith, chair of the Department of Educational Studies, and Dr. Will Gibson of the UTM Accessibility Resource Center.

“Inclusive higher education programs foster an environment that goes beyond mere representation of students with intellectual and developmental disabilities,” Smith said. “These programs help remove barriers and provide students with opportunities to achieve their desired outcomes.”

The SAIL program will emphasize academics, social integration, vocational training, and independent living skills. Students will also have access to internships and federal work-study opportunities.

“This program will bring in individuals who might never otherwise have the opportunity to experience life on a college campus,” said Alisha Melton, executive director of Research, Outreach and Economic Development.

UT MARTIN RECEIVES MOBILE HEALTH UNIT –

UT Martin, in partnership with the UT Health Science Center and UT Southern, has received one of three new mobile health units through the UT System Grand Challenge Grant.

The Grand Challenge Grant program funds projects that improve life across Tennessee by strengthening rural communities, overcoming addiction and advancing K-12 education. Each mobile unit features bright “One UT System” branding with the message “On the road to a healthier Tennessee.”

Dr. Mary Radford, chair of the UT Martin Department of Nursing, helped identify the counties most in need. “Basically, the ones that had the worst health-care statistics in our area are Lake County and Carroll County,” she said.

Over the past nine months, UT Martin nursing faculty and students have worked with local health councils to address mental health, substance use, and weight-management issues.

“We go out into these communities and we provide education, screenings and healthy giveaways,” Radford said. “It’s a great opportunity for nursing students to practice their skills and interact with the community.”

When the grant ends, UT Martin will keep the mobile health unit to continue serving rural Tennessee.

UTM TEAM WINS THIRD CSBS BANK CASE STUDY COMPETITION –

Five students from UT Martin’s College of Business and Global Affairs earned first place in the 2025 CSBS Community Bank Case Study Competition, marking the university’s third national title in eight years of competing. Results were announced July 14 by the Conference of State Bank Supervisors.

UT Martin’s team placed ahead of the University of Arkansas and Illinois State University in the competition, which featured 35 teams from 27 universities nationwide. The students partnered with Carroll Bank & Trust of Huntingdon to study how interest rates and inflation affect community banking. Each member received a $1,000 scholarship and presented their findings Oct. 7-8 at the Community Banking Research Conference hosted by the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis.

“The five chosen students quickly came together to form a truly high-performing team with a strong work ethic and a real desire to learn more about community banking,” said John Clark ('75), interim chairholder for the Horace and Sara Dunagan Chair of Excellence in Banking.

Team members included Aaron Bartholomew, Anna Batte, Blair James, Hayden Weber, and Makenzi Bouras, all accounting or finance majors. UT Martin remains the only university to win the competition more than once.

NURSING LAB NAMED FOR FAMILY OF UTM ALUMNUS –

UT Martin honored Dr. Marshall Priest III ('65) and his wife, Cynthia, Oct. 7 by naming a Gooch Hall nursing classroom the Priest Family Clinical Excellence Lab. The couple’s generosity established the Priest Family Clinical Excellence Fund and Endowment, which supports hands-on learning in the Department of Nursing.

Priest, a Carroll County native and 1965 UT Martin graduate, became a respected interventional cardiologist in Boise, Idaho. His experiences in patient care inspired his appreciation for nurses and his desire to give back. “What I was able to do in taking care of patients couldn’t have happened without a nurse,” he told UTM nursing students during the morning event. “You guys are really the touchstone for medical care.”

Chancellor Yancy Freeman Sr. thanked the Priests for their impact. “Their generosity has allowed nursing to implement a clinical rotation in Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital as well as upgrade our beds in the campus and simulation labs,” he said.

Dr. Mary Radford, nursing chair, also expressed gratitude. “You’re looking at the future of nursing, and they may be at your bedside one day,” she said.

Thanks to the Priests’ gift, UTM nursing students will continue building on a legacy of clinical excellence and compassionate care.

UTM TRACTOR TEAM PLACES 10TH AT INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION

– UT Martin’s tractor team achieved its highest finish ever at the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers (ASABE) International Quarter-Scale Tractor Student Design Competition, placing 10th overall in the 2025 event held May 29–June 1 in Peoria, Illinois.

Now in its 13th year of competition, the UTM team ranked among 23 collegiate teams that designed and built one-fourth-scale tractors for judging in design, performance, and innovation categories. Students also presented formal design pitches and completed events including tractor pulls, maneuverability, and durability tests.

“There’s a sales pitch, and there’s design judging that looks at traits like manufacturability, ergonomics, and safety,” said Dr. Sandy Mehlhorn, professor of agricultural engineering and the team’s adviser. “It’s a great example of multidisciplinary teams coming together for an operational product.”

Team members included Sam Baker, Dalton Hall, Baillie Kearns, Hunter McCoy, Nathan Robison, Ellarose Strasser, and Hunter Watson. Mehlhorn said the competition helps students strengthen technical and teamwork skills valued by employers. “Employers recognize this competition because there are 13 or 14 corporate sponsors from all areas of agriculture,” she said.

UTM HOSTS KAPPA

ALPHA PSI LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE – UT Martin hosted the Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc. C. Roger Wilson Leadership Conference for the South Central Province Oct. 24-25. The event brought fraternity members from Tennessee, Kentucky and northern Mississippi to campus for two days of leadership training, community service, and networking under the theme “Embrace the Leader Within.”

The conference was coordinated by Dr. Mark McCloud ('92), vice chancellor for access and engagement and a UT Martin Kappa Alpha Psi alumnus, along with the Zeta Kappa Chapter and the Jackson Alumni Chapter.

Highlights included the “Room to Read” ser vice project, where members read to students in Martin and Union City and donated books, as well as a comedy show benefiting the fraternity’s Guide Right youth development program.

Keynote speakers included Dr. Derek Greenfield, educator and author; Dr. Ricky Jones, Baldwin-King Scholar-in-Residence at the University of Louisville; and Adrian Davis, founder of Momentum University. Special guest Leonard Hamilton ('71), nationally known basketball coach and charter member of the Zeta Kappa Chapter at UT Martin, also addressed attendees.

The South Central Province includes 23 university chapters and 20 alumni chapters with more than 450 active members.

– UT Martin honored three outstanding alumni during its 2025 Homecoming celebration Oct. 11. The annual Alumni Awards recognize graduates who exemplify leadership, service, and professional excellence while representing the spirit of the university.

Tymikia Glenn ('01) (above, left photo at right) received the Outstanding Alumni Award for her distinguished career achievement and leadership in her field. Jacob Ross ('11) (above, left photo at left) was presented the Outstanding Young Alumni Award for his professional accomplishments and community service. Amy Rhodes ('91) and Bill C. Rhodes III ('87) (above, right photo) received the University Service Award for their longtime dedication and support of UT Martin.

Presented each year by the Office of Alumni Relations, the Alumni Awards celebrate Skyhawks who make meaningful contributions to their professions and communities while advancing the university's mission.

For more information about the Alumni Awards program or to submit a future nomination, visit alumni.utm.edu/alumni-awards.

AG FACULTY HOST FIELD SCHOOL FOR SMALLHOLDER FARMS –

Faculty from UT Martin’s College of Agriculture and Applied Sciences hosted a field school in August for smallholder farmers from Tennessee and Pennsylvania as part of a three-year sustainability initiative with The Global Teach Ag Network at Penn State University.

The project, led by Dr. R achna Tewari, professor of agricultural economics, is titled “Empowering Small Farmers and Agriculture Students: FSAS (Farmers’ School for Agricultural Sustainability) and Experiential Learning Programs.” Collaborators included Dr. Isaac Lepcha, Dr. Eric Pelren, Dr. Bethany Wolters ('12), Dr. Stan Dunagan ('93), Dr. Joey Mehlhorn, and Dr. Will Bird ('06)

Funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Capacity Building Grants for Non-Land-Grant Colleges of Agriculture Program, the initiative focused on sustainable production and leadership development. Activities included travel-based farmer field schools, student research, high school internships, and a faculty-led trip to Belize.

Highlights of the August event included vegetable and livestock farm tours, a farmers’ market visit and an agroforestry workshop by Belizean educator Rudy Aroldo Aguilar. The project concluded with the 2025 Small Farm Sustainability and Local Foods Conference on Aug. 14 at Discovery Park of America, drawing more than 70 producers, students, and educators from across the region.

HATCHETT RECEIVES GOLDWATER SCHOLARSHIP

–Seth Hatchett, a rising senior from Huntingdon, was named a 2025 recipient of the Barry Goldwater Scholarship, one of the nation’s most prestigious undergraduate awards in science, engineering, and mathematics.

He is UT Martin’s first Goldwater Scholar since 2001 and the seventh student in university history to earn the honor or receive honorable mention.

Hatchett is a triple major in electrical engineering, cell and molecular biology, and general chemistry, with a minor in neuroscience. He plans to pursue a dual M.D./Ph.D. program and become a physician-scientist focused on treating patients with neurological damage caused by traumatic brain injury or stroke.

Hatchett has published three papers with Dr. Saman Sargolzaei, associate professor of engineering, including research on UT Martin’s first neural imaging-assisted driving simulator. He is also collaborating on studies with Dr. James Smart and Dr. Ann Gathers ('92) exploring brain activity and neurological disorders.

“The additional enrichment that I have gained through being a member of the University Scholars program has been crucial to my academic success,” Hatchett said.

Hatchett is the son of UT Martin alumni Richard ('94) and Ginger Hatchett and plans to graduate in spring 2027.

UT MARTIN TIED FOR 20TH IN SOUTH REGION IN U.S. NEWS

RANKINGS – UT Martin again earned recognition in the U.S. News & World Report 2026 Best Colleges rankings, released Sept. 23. The university tied for 20th place in the Regional Universities South category for the second consecutive year. UT Martin was among 135 institutions evaluated on 17 factors including graduation, retention and post-graduation earnings.

The university also tied for ninth place among Top Public Schools and eighth place among Best Colleges for Veterans in the South. The university ranked 21st in the Best Value Schools category.

“We’re pleased that UT Martin remains one of the top regional and public-regional universities in the South,” said Chancellor Yancy Freeman. “Rankings tell only part of the story, but they reflect the value and quality our students experience.”

UT Martin’s online programs were also recognized, including Best Online MBA (tied for 46th), Best Online MBA for Veterans (tied for 28th), and Best Online Master’s in Criminal Justice (tied for 64th).

The announcement followed additional honors from The Princeton Review as a Best Southeastern College and Viqtory, which named UT Martin a 2025-26 Military Friendly School.

ROBBINS HONORED WITH NAMESAKE HOSTA GARDEN

– Family and friends gathered June 11 at Discovery Park of America in Union City to dedicate the Guy Robbins ('58) Hosta Garden, honoring the longtime UT Martin horticulturist who spent 25 years shaping the university’s award-winning landscape.

Located within Discovery Park’s American Garden, the new feature celebrates Robbins’ contributions to campus and regional horticulture. John Watkins ('88), Discovery Park’s director of grounds and a former student worker under Robbins at UTM, led the effort to establish the garden.

“It meant so much to me for you to get me started in horticulture,” Watkins said during the ceremony. “It’s come full circle where I can honor you back a little bit today.”

Robbins, who earned his bachelor’s degree from UTM and master’s from Mississippi State University, served as senior horticulturist for the Memphis Park Commission and director of the Memphis Botanic Garden before returning to lead UTM’s grounds. Under his leadership, the university earned a national Grand Award from the Professional Grounds Management Society in 1993.

Former Chancellor Nick Dunagan ('68) praised Robbins for helping UT Martin gain “a regional and national reputation for its beautiful landscaping.”

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL HOSTS

TENNESSEE LADY VOLS – A sellout crowd of 4,560 fans packed the Kathleen and Tom Elam Center on Nov. 9 as the Tennessee Lady Vols women’s basketball team played its first game at UT Martin since 1997. Fans got to enjoy a riveting game that was tied at halftime before the No. 8-ranked Tennessee squad won by a 72-61 margin. Branded as the Pat Summitt Heritage Classic, the game celebrated the history and tradition of the Skyhawk women’s basketball program and recognized Bettye Giles with an on-court presentation that brought the crowd to its feet for a prolonged standing ovation.

UT MARTIN ATHLETICS HALL OF FAME CLASS OF 2025

OFFICIALLY ENSHRINED –

The Class of 2025 for the UT Martin Athletics Hall of Fame was inducted during a Sept. 13 luncheon ceremony in the Russell Duncan Ballroom inside the Boling University Center.

Making up the Hall of Fame Class of 2025 and pictured right (l-r) were Ray Williams (football, 2005-08), Katie Jackson (soccer, 2002-05), Dacotah Faught (rifle, 2013-16), and Mark Guy (football, 1983-84, 87-88).

An Amenia, North Dakota, native, Faught left UT Martin as one of the most decorated rifle student-athletes in program history. Heralded as a secondteam All-American as a sophomore, she qualified for the NCAA Championships in each of her first two seasons before redshirting her junior campaign to train for the 2016 Olympic Games. She earned All-Ohio Valley Conference accolades six times in her two seasons as a Skyhawk, while also being tabbed the 2013-14 OVC Freshman of the Year. Her name is etched in the program record books, as she left with the top three individual scores in school history in both air rifle (597, still a school record) and smallbore (585). She later won the women's air rifle title at the 2014 USA National Championships held in Fort Benning, Georgia, and earned a spot on Team USA at the World Championships.

in Arena Bowl VI.

Hailing from Olive Branch, Mississippi, Guy was a veteran playmaker on a Pacer football squad that went 11-2, won the program's lone Gulf South Conference championship and earned a Division II quarterfinalist berth in 1988. Along with finishing as runner-up for GSC Freshman of the Year in 1983, he showed his versatility by contributing on offense as a wide receiver, on defense as a cornerback and as a kickoff return specialist. He finished his career with 117 tackles, including 65 assists and 51 solo stops, while adding 11 pass breakups, four blocked kicks (including one returned for a touchdown), three fumble recoveries, and an interception. Following his collegiate career, he enjoyed success in both the Canadian Football League and Arena Football League, where he played for three titles and won two. He helped the Saskatchewan Roughriders claim the 1989 Grey Cup championship after tallying 100 receiving yards and 127 kickoff return yards in the contest before adding another championship with the Detroit Drive

Jackson was a standout performer on the soccer pitch, where she tied for the most OVC Offensive Player of the Week honors (four) in school history while also earning All-OVC honors in 2003. The Franklin native still ranks second all-time in program history in points (70), second in goals (31), fifth in shots (181), and sixth in game-winning goals (six). She also still ranks in the top three in UT Martin single-season history in goals (16 in 2003, second), points (35 in 2003, third), and game-winning goals (4 in 2003, third). Her best performance came against Eastern Kentucky in 2005, when she became just the third player in school history to record a hat trick with three goals and an assist.

Williams put UT Martin football back on the map by helping the team to its first conference championship during the Division I Era in 2006. The Demopolis, Alabama, native was named an All-American and All-OVC first-team defensive lineman in 2008, while also earning an all-conference second team nod in 2007. He finished his career with 137 total tackles, including 58 solo stops, while racking up 16.5 tackles for loss. The defensive stopper led the team in sacks in each of his final two seasons, while racking up 9.5 sacks for his career. Additionally, he had eight quarterback hurries, two fumble recoveries, and one forced fumble. After his career with the Skyhawks, he went on to become a worldrenowned powerlifter, setting numerous world records.

OVC COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD WINNERS –

The Ohio Valley Conference revealed the recipients of the 2024-25 Community Service Awards, and UT Martin student-athletes David Kamwanga and Rileigh Weiss made the prestigious list.

First bestowed for the 2022-23 campaign, the OVC Community Service Awards are based on activities that took place during the previous academic year and recognize outstanding student-athletes for the contributions they make away from the playing surface, both on campus and in the community. OVC member institutions selected one male and one female student-athlete, as 18 total honorees made up the 2024-25 list.

Kamwanga (men's basketball) and Weiss (equestrian) were the fourth and fifth Skyhawks to ever bring home an OVC Community Service Award, joining Anna Ordonio (equestrian, 2022-23),

SKYHAWK MEN’S CROSS COUNTRY EARNS FIRSTEVER OVC TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP; JOHNSON WINS

INDIVIDUAL OVC TITLE – October 31 was a monumental day on the campus of Eastern Illinois for the UT Martin cross country team as the men's group brought home the program's first Ohio Valley Conference championship, while Luke Johnson won the school's first individual title since 2017.

It was a thrilling win to clinch the championship for the Skyhawks, who took home the trophy via a 3-2 win in a tiebreaker over Southern Indiana after totaling 62 points.

Parker Stewart (men's basketball, 2022-23), and Natalie Marques (equestrian, 2023-24).

Hailing from Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kamwanga was part of UT Martin's Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) leadership team and was an OVC SAAC representative for two years. He was heavily involved in the Captain's Pantry initiative (supplying free food for students on campus), Special Olympics (volunteering during the state qualifying meets), Hawks For the Holidays program (fundraising and Christmas shopping for the Weakley County Department of Child Services, securing a $1,000 donation) and Take A Skyhawk to School initiative (making multiple visits to area schools to promote reading literacy).

Weiss was also on the UT Martin SAAC leadership squad for two seasons, serving as the organization's vice president. In addition to the aforementioned Captain's Pantry, Special Olympics, Hawks For the Holidays, and Take a Skyhawk To School initiatives, the senior from Orlando, Florida, also took part in the United Way Skyhawk Scholars Program (visiting schools to reward elementary students after reading challenges), Fellowship of Christian Athletes (school leader who visited multiple schools to teach lessons), Trick or Trot (communitywide Halloween trick-or-treating with the equestrian program's horses), Project of Hope (UT Martin-sponsored trip to build chicken coops in Guatemala for single mothers and widows' egg operations), and Reach for Uganda (equestrian team philanthropy project to help offer support for Ugandan women to receive a college education).

Johnson became the first member of the UT Martin men's team to claim the Athlete of the Championship title since 2017, when future Olympian Edwin Kurgat accomplished the same feat (also held at Eastern Illinois). A redshirt junior from Oxford, Mississippi, Johnson beat the field by nearly four seconds after clocking a time of 24:18.88, which also earned him All-OVC first-team honors for the first time in his career.

Angus Monro was close behind his teammate and tallied a fourth-place finish on a personal record of 24:28.67, which helped him capture All-OVC first-team accolades (claiming back-to-back all-conference performances). Keagan Enicks (14th) made it two years in a row with All-OVC honors after the sophomore nailed a time of 24:55.42. David Stukey (21st) ran a personal-best time of 25:07.30, while Will Douglas' mark of 25:10.95 (22nd) capped off the championship scoring five for the Skyhawks.

After the meet concluded, assistant coach Anthony Palacio was named OVC Men's Cross Country Coach of the Year, giving UT Martin its first recipient of that award in school history.

With the win, the Skyhawks advanced to the NCAA South Regionals in Huntsville, Alabama, competing among the top collegiate teams in the region.

UTM ATHLETIC DIRECTOR KURT MCGUFFIN

NAMED FCS ADA PRESIDENT – Kurt McGuffin was selected as the Division I Football Championship Subdivision Athletic Directors Association President for the 2025-26 season, the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics organization announced in September.

The announcement marked the latest in a long line of impressive accomplishments for McGuffin, who has served as Skyhawk vice chancellor and director of athletics since 2017. The Iola, Kansas, native also held the title of NCAA Division I Women's Softball Committee chair from 2023 to 2025 and has previously served on the NCAA Division I Women's Basketball Committee, the NCAA Division II Men's Golf Ranking Committee, and the NCAA Division II Men's Basketball Committee over his athletics administrative career. McGuffin was appointed to the FCS ADA board in 2020 and

served as first vice president for the 2024-25 campaign. In his new role, McGuffin oversees the FCS ADA Executive Committee that consists of Sherryta Freeman (first vice president, Lafayette College), Skip Perkins (second vice president, NC Central), Bill Chaves (third vice president, North Dakota), Mark Benson (immediate past president, Albany), John Mack (Princeton), Jonathan Terrell (Nicholls State), Chris Robinson (Arkansas-Pine Bluff), Ken Beazer (Utah Tech), Mark Orr (Sacramento State), Jude Killy (Maine), Nathan Christensen (Indiana State), James Downer (Saint Francis), Tim Murray (Marist), and Mark Wharton (Chattanooga).

Now in its 32nd year, the FC S ADA's mission is to enhance FCS football. Objectives include providing a collective voice for FCS athletics directors, a forum to discuss issues that impact the role of FCS athletics directors, a recognized relationship with other athletics director associations/NCAA leadership groups, and helpful information to the FCS athletics directors, including surveys, newsletters, and meetings. In his ninth season overseeing UT Martin's athletic department, McGuffin has presided over 10 different programs that have combined for 20 conference or regional championships. The Skyhawks have also upped their game in the classroom, as athletics has achieved at least a 3.20 grade-point average for 11 consecutive semesters, capped off with a school-record 3.37 GPA in the spring 2025 term. UT Martin Athletics also registered 5,400 hours of community service for the 2024-25 academic year, which ranks as the most in school history.

DUNN RECEIVES INAUGURAL INSPIRING WOMEN AWARD

– Lin Dunn ('69), a pioneer for women’s athletics not just at UT Martin but nationwide, received the Indiana Fever’s first-ever Inspiring Women Award during halftime of the team’s game against the Dallas Wings on Aug. 12.

Not only was she presented with the award, but plans were announced to rename the honor to the Lin Dunn Inspiring Women Award for future recipients.

A Dresden native, Dunn graduated from UT Martin in 1969 and soon entered a groundbreaking 55-year career in the sport of women’s basketball. She won the 2012 WNBA championship as head coach of the Indiana Fever, becoming the franchise’s all-time winningest coach with 135 wins. She then transitioned into a role in the organization’s front office as the general manager and senior adviser, ensuring many years of future success by selecting current Fever superstars Lexie Hull, Aliyah Boston, and Caitlin Clark in three consecutive drafts from 2022 to 2024.

Although Dunn never officially played collegiate basketball at UT Martin, she is largely regarded as one of the biggest contributors to the program’s success. While women’s basketball was not yet offered as an official varsity sport during her time as an undergraduate, Dunn was at the forefront of the movement to add the sport to UT Martin’s repertoire. She got her wish in the fall of 1969, three years before Title IX and before most other schools in the country offered women’s athletics in general.

Dunn racked up a 447-257 record in head coaching stints at four NCA A Division-I institutions (Austin Peay State University, The University of Mississippi, The University of Miami, and Purdue University). She led Purdue to the 1994 Final Four and was an assistant coach on the 1992 USA Olympic Team that earned a bronze medal in Barcelona, Spain. Her WNBA career began with a three-year stint as the first head coach and general manager of the Seattle Storm in 2000, amassing 181 professional victories. She was inducted into the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame in 2014 and is a member of the UT Martin Athletics Hall of Fame, Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame, Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame, Purdue Athletics Hall of Fame, Austin Peay Athletic Hall of Fame, and the University of Miami Athletic Hall of Fame.

MAC DANFORD WRAPS UP FIRST SEASON WITH TEXAS TAILGATERS

– Known for his moonshot home runs as a former Skyhawk baseball player, Mac Danford ('24) was still entertaining fans on the diamond as he concluded his first season as member of the Texas Tailgaters in the Banana Ball Championship League.

Created after the success of the Savannah Bananas, the league featured four teams for the first time in 2025, as the Tailgaters joined the Bananas, the Party Animals, and the Firefighters. The Tailgaters did not have a home stadium or city but played in various ballparks in Frisco, San Antonio, and Round Rock, as well as Major League Baseball stadiums Daikin Park (home of the Houston Astros), PNC Park (home of the Pittsburgh Pirates), Great American Ballpark (home of the Cincinnati Reds), and Citizens Bank Park (home of the Philadelphia Phillies).

Danford – along with manager Joseph Mikulik and all of his teammates – donned Western chaps, bootcut uniforms, straw cowboy hats, and uniforms with cutoff sleeves to encapsulate their Texas roots. Danford became one of the team’s most viral superstars, known to break out in a mid-game choreographed song and dance routine between fielding groundballs or digging in the batter’s box.

Regularly playing in front of sellout crowds in some of the largest baseball venues in the country, the Tailgaters were part of a Banana Ball experience that already has a waitlist of over 3 million people for the 2026 season (which will include a pair of expansion teams in the Long Beach Coconuts and Indianapolis Clowns). Danford was featured live on ESPN when the network carried the Texas game against the Savannah Bananas in Philadelphia.

Danford showed out for the Tailgaters in his first taste of professional baseball, driving in a team-best 28 RBIs in 98 at-bats over 31 games during the 2025 World Tour. His debut season was so successful that he was one of the first players to be franchised for a return in 2026, which includes tour stops in Arizona, California, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Maine, New York, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and West Virginia, through September.

A Grand Ridge, Florida, native, Danford excelled in his two years in a Skyhawk uniform, becoming just the second player in school history to win All-OVC awards in back-to-back seasons. He hit .340 with a .404 on-base percentage and .618 slugging percentage in 377 at-bats, belting 25 home runs (fifth-most in school history) to go along with 99 RBIs over 100 games from 2023-24. The right-handed slugger was the first player in program histor y to win multiple OVC Player of the Week awards in a single season in 2023 and added another award the following season. His 15 home runs and 55 RBIs during his senior campaign both rank third in UT Martin’s single-season top-10 list.

Story by Ryne Rickman

Photos from UTM Special Collections and Archives and University Relations

This timeline offers only a sampling of the many athletes, coaches, staff members, and moments that have shaped 125 years of UT Martin athletics. The full history is far too large to fit within these pages, and every season has included people and achievements that deserve recognition. Our goal is to highlight key milestones and honor the spirit of the Sky Pilots, Junior Volunteers, Volunteers, Pacers, and Skyhawks, knowing that our community’s complete story reaches far beyond what any single timeline can capture.

1900 1920s 1930s 1950s

1900

The Hall-Moody Institute is established on land donated by Ada Gardner Brooks.

1923

A resolution permitting intercollegiate athletics is passed after years of resistance by the administration and faculty; teams are known as the Sky Pilots.

1924

The Hall-Moody gymnasium becomes the first athletics facility on campus.

1927

Hall-Moody closes and the University of Tennessee Junior College is established with

1930

A new athletics facility and adjacent football field are added to campus, creating what is now the Student Life Building and the original field on the site of today’s H.K. Grantham Field.

1933

Intercollegiate athletics are briefly discontinued due to declining enrollment, returning the following year.

1935

Football player Jimmy Long of Union City dies from injuries sustained during a game.

1950

Partial athletic scholarships are introduced in football and men’s basketball.

1951

The institution becomes the University of Tennessee Martin Branch; teams retain the Volunteer identity, although many sports teams were referred to as “Baby Vols” or “Little Vols.”

1952-1956

Women’s athletics begin to take shape as Bettye Giles joins the faculty and women’s tennis gains varsity status.

1960s

1960-1962

Football wins three consecutive Volunteer State Athletic Conference championships, and Bobby Fowler becomes the program’s first NFL draft pick.

1963

A new Physical Education Building opens west of Mt. Pelia Road with classrooms, offices, activity rooms, locker rooms and a 3,500-seat gym that becomes the campus home for major events and athletics. In 1973, an adjacent field house is added to expand the complex, and in 1994, the facility is officially named the Kathleen and Tom Elam Center.

Football wins the Tangerine Bowl national championship with a victory over West Chester State.

1969

Nadine Gearin leads UT Martin’s first intercollegiate women’s basketball team beginning in 1969, helping establish the university as a leader in women’s athletics; women’s varsity sports expand, UT Martin holds its first rodeo, wrestling debuts, and Leonard Hamilton becomes the first African-American studentathlete.

1970-1971

UT Martin joins the Mid-South Conference, later the Gulf South Conference; Pacers becomes the athletic nickname.

1971

Baseball makes its first NCAA Tournament appearance.

1974

Pat Head Summitt graduates as UT Martin’s all-time leading scorer in women’s basketball before beginning her trailblazing coaching career with the Tennessee Lady Vols.

1975

Skip Emmett wins the National All-Around Cowboy title.

Women’s basketball’s Amy Underwood Poteete becomes the first female recipient of an athletic grant-in-aid scholarship at UT Martin.

1980s 1990s

1980

Tennessee Vols men's basketball coaching legend Ray Mears is appointed UT Martin’s first fulltime athletic director.

1981

The Pacer Pete mascot debuts, followed a few years later by the creation of Pace-Her Polly.

1983

The inaugural UT Martin Athletics Hall of Fame class is inducted.

1984

The West Tennessee Agricultural Pavilion opens as an 82,000-square-foot facility. The building is named the Ned McWherter Agricultural Complex in 1995 in honor of Weakley County native Governor Ned Ray McWherter.

1985-1987

Pat Nanney Jr. earns NCAA All-America honors in golf, and Rob Harbison wins the NCAA air rifle championship.

1988

Football wins the Gulf South Conference championship and advances to the NCAA Division II playoffs for the first time in school history, winning its postseason opener and producing multiple NFL draft selections; men’s tennis completes a dominant run of six Gulf South Conference titles in seven seasons.

1989

UT Martin rifle wins its seventh straight Gulf South Conference championship and eighth league title of the 1980s decade.

1990

Men’s tennis sweeps the NCAA Division II national championship awards in singles and doubles; Cal Luther begins his tenure, guiding UT Martin men's basketball team through Division I reclassification.

1992

UT Martin athletics joins the NCAA Division I ranks as members of the Ohio Valley Conference.

1994

Women’s tennis becomes the first UT Martin program to win an OVC championship; Bettye Giles retires as women’s director of athletics; Bennie Hollis is hired as the first UT Martin athletics director for both men’s and women’s programs.

1995

Athletic teams change from Pacers to Skyhawks and begin a new era of athletics identity.

2000s

2002

Volleyball earns UT Martin’s first NCAA Division I tournament appearance; the Bob Carroll Football Building opens.

2004

Lyndsie Brower is named the Reserve National All-Around Cowgirl; soccer’s Emily Miller wins the prestigious NCAA Inspiration Award.

2006

First-year coach Jason Simpson leads football to its first OVC championship with the program’s most wins since 1988; All-American Don Chapman makes NCAA history as only the 14th Division I athlete to rush for 1,000 yards in four straight seasons.

2007

Lester Hudson records college basketball’s first quadruple-double, and athletic director Phil Dane secures new student fee funding to strengthen UT Martin’s Division I programs.

Alum Jerry Reese wins his first of two Super Bowl championships as senior vice president/general manager of the New York Giants.

2009

Men’s basketball wins its first OVC regular-season championship, shattering 12 school records; Lester Hudson becomes the first UT Martin player selected in the NBA Draft, chosen by the Boston Celtics in the second round.

Volleyball’s Kasey Elswick finishes as the OVC’s all-time digs leader after setting the NCAA single-season record; Skyhawk softball claims its fourth OVC championship in three seasons with the program’s first regular season and tournament sweep; Leah Taylor becomes the first UT Martin softball Easton Fast Pitch All-American; the Coaches statues honoring Pat Summitt, Bettye Giles and Nadine Gearin are dedicated at the Elam Center; alum Lin Dunn coaches the Indiana Fever to the WNBA championship.

John Luthi is named National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association Coach of the Year.

2014

Soccer claims its fourth consecutive OVC championship; women’s basketball completes four straight NCAA Tournament appearances as Heather Butler and Jasmine Newsome graduate as the top two scorers in OVC history; Butler becomes the first VC player to appear in a WNBA game; men’s rodeo becomes the first college east of the Mississippi River to win the College National Finals Rodeo championship.

2015

Ann Asipan becomes the first UT Martin runner to win an OVC individual cross-country title, winning her first of back-to-back championships.

2016

Skyhawk golf claims its first OVC team championship, sweeping the team and individual titles en route to a NCAA Regional appearance; Alec Mills becomes the first UT Martin alum to appear in a Major League Baseball game, pitching for the Kansas City Royals before later throwing a no-hitter for the Chicago Cubs; the renovated press box at Hardy M. Graham Stadium opens, featuring upgraded locker rooms, concession areas, academic support space, the Skyhawk Club level and enhanced media and Chancellor’s Box areas, and hosts its first game as UT Martin defeats Bacone College 84-6.

2017

Men’s and women’s track and field programs are reinstated after a 14-year hiatus; Edwin Kurgat becomes the first UT Martin runner to win the OVC cross country individual championship and the first Skyhawk to compete at the NCAA Division I Cross Country Championships; Ann Asipan represents the Skyhawks at the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships in the 5k event.

Two-time OVC Golfer of the Year Hunter Richardson becomes the first UT Martin representative to play in a PGA Tour event when he takes part in the Barbasol Championship.

2021

Chelsey Perry becomes the highest-drafted UT Martin and OVC player to be selected in the WNBA Draft when the Indiana Fever selects the two-time All-American with the 26th pick.

2022

Kelby Kane is named the National Collegiate Equestrian Association Fences Rider of the Year, becoming the first Skyhawk rider to claim that award.

2024

Skyhawk football wins its fourth consecutive conference championship and a NCA A FCS playoff game for the second time in four years; UT Martin STUNT officially debuts as Tennessee’s first program and finishes third nationally among Division I institutions; beach volleyball wins its fifth consecutive OVC championship.

2025

Skyhawk equestrian earns the program’s first at-large berth to the NCEA Championships after capturing its second conference title; men’s cross country wins its first OVC team championship and claims the league’s individual title through Luke Johnson.

Bob Carroll’s journey through 75 years of UT Martin history

Story by David Snow

Photos from UTM Special Collections and Archives

Robert “Bob” Carroll ('54) hasn’t just experienced UT Martin history; he is a notable figure in that history, as the university has been part of his life for decades.

He was a member of the inaugural class inducted into the UTM Athletics Hall of Fame in 1983 and is a member of the Weakley County Sports Hall of Fame, Gibson County Athletics Hall of Fame, the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame, and the University of Wyoming Academic Hall of Fame. He was an academic all-American quarterback at the University of Wyoming.

A standout quarterback for UT Junior College in the 1950 and 1952 seasons –which bracketed 18 months of Marine Corps Reserve service – he coached the UT Martin Branch team from 1957 to 1974, ranking second in school history with 83 wins and a victory in the school’s sole bowl appearance, a 25-8 win over West Chester State in the 1967 Tangerine Bowl in Orlando, Florida.

Carroll also taught history and is now an assistant professor emeritus of history at UTM. He authored “The University of Tennessee at Martin: The First One Hundred Years” for the university’s 100-year anniversary celebration in 2000.

The summer between Carroll’s first and second years on campus, in 1951, the college changed its name from UT Junior College to UT Martin Branch, becoming a four-year university. In 1967, it became the University of Tennessee at Martin.

Campus Scene talked with Carroll to discuss his life, his experiences and, of course, UT Martin.

TELL US ABOUT YOUR PERSONAL HISTORY WITH UT MARTIN.

I came here as a student in 1950. It was UT Junior College then, and in 1951, it became UT Martin Branch. There were some people who didn’t want to make that change; you had some opposition. People rallied here in Weakley County and they rallied in the state legislature. We became a four-year college, but what was that four years in? Ag and home economics, and that was it. In 1951, we had 416 students, but by 1960, we had put in education studies, and within 10 years, we had over 1,100 students.

WHEN DID WE BECOME UT MARTIN?

That was in 1967, the same year we won the Tangerine Bowl against West Chester State out of Pennsylvania. (UT Martin was the Atlantic Coast College Division national champion that year with a 10-1 overall record under Carroll.)

WHAT LED YOU TO WRITE “THE UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE AT MARTIN: THE FIRST ONE HUNDRED YEARS”?

Well, there was no complete history of the university during that time. I felt challenged to write it because I was a history major. People would ask me, “Why don’t you write the history?” So, I accepted that challenge. I almost ran out of time because I had to have it for the year 2000, and then, I had to have it printed in Nashville.

I really enjoyed talking with the alumni. In fact, my fatherin-law, Cliff Pritchett, was here in ’28, ’29 and ’30, and he went on and graduated from Knoxville. But I loved talking with the alumni; I’d go talk with them (for the book). The only problem was, I’d get two different versions of the same stories.

WHAT DIFFERENCES AND SIMILARITIES HAVE YOU NOTICED OVER THE YEARS?

It’s larger, but I’ve found that it is still a friendly campus, and it’s still strong academically. Back when it was a junior college, the demands were pretty strong. You didn’t come here and be able to just lean back and kind of coast through because it was a tough, tough junior college.

HOW DID YOU COME TO BE THE COACH?

When I was at the University of Wyoming (where Carroll went after graduating from UT Martin Branch), I had planned to go to medical school, and I needed organic chemistry and comparative anatomy. I came back after graduating Wyoming, going to take those courses, and I helped coach. (Then-Chancellor) Paul Meek called me in and offered me the job, and I said, “Well, I don’t really have any money to go to medical school, anyway,” so I needed to work to get some. James C. Henson was the head coach just before me, and he did a good job. He was also the head of physical education, and truly, I was the last coach to be half-coach and half-history teacher after that. I have no regrets about not going to medical school now.

YOU MET YOUR FUTURE WIFE WHEN YOU CAME BACK TO CAMPUS AS THE FOOTBALL COACH. HOW DID THAT HAPPEN?

When I came here (to coach in 1956), I was single, and lo and behold, there was a goodlooking cheerleader. She was on the tennis team, and she was a campus beauty – Kay Pritchett ('57). So, I went to see Paul Meek, and that’s when I asked him, “Can I date a student?” He said, “Yeah, I know both of you. Go ahead.” So, two years later, we got married. I wanted to mention her because she died Aug. 13 from Alzheimer’s. She was a great wife, great mother and, really, a great friend.

YOU HAVE BEEN PART OF UT MARTIN’S 50TH, 100TH, AND NOW 125TH CELEBRATIONS. HOW DOES IT FEEL TO HAVE BEEN CONNECTED TO THE UNIVERSITY THROUGH SO MANY MILESTONES?

It really feels good. The thing about it is: You have to have a love for the campus, and the first thing that happens is you think back about how it was and about the good old days. You look back and you had hardships, but you think back about all the happy memories you had and everything from the campus.

I enjoyed teaching history for the simple reason that I liked being around the students. I enjoyed it – I did. Things were kind of hectic at times, but I really enjoyed it.

TALK ABOUT SOME OF THE LEADERS ON CAMPUS THAT YOU KNEW.

Paul Meek was good leader that you could count on. When he told you something, that’s the way it was – he was just a good guy. Margaret Perry ('61) was very good because she was very sincere, and if she told you something, you could count on it.

LET’S TALK ABOUT YOUR FOOTBALL CAREER AT MILAN HIGH SCHOOL.

Well, what happened is I went out for football as a freshman, and I’d never even seen a football game. When I went out, they asked the guy in front of me what position he wanted, and he said, “Halfback.” I didn’t know what a halfback was, but that was all I knew to say. My freshman year, I got in a few games, and I started as a sophomore. Then, I was co-captain my senior year, and we went 8-3. We had some good athletes my senior year.

DO YOU STILL ENJOY HOMECOMING?

They are special to me. Now, when I was in charge of Alumni Affairs, they involved a lot of work, but I enjoy going to the Homecoming games now because I have no pressure on me. Since 1956, I’ve only missed one, and that was in 1997. I went to Wyoming. They were having a reunion, so I had no choice. The four of us went together. I picked them up and I had the car, so we took out and drove out there. We had a big time doing that!

Bob Carroll literally wrote the book on the history of UT Martin, which is celebrating its 125th anniversary as an educational institution. UT Martin kicked off its 125th anniversary celebration on Oct. 10, and will have several events throughout 2026.

For more information about the 125th anniversary celebration events or to purchase commemorative items, visit alumni.utm.edu/celebration.

Celebrate the people, places, and moments that shaped the University of Tennessee at Martin.

This commemorative photo book brings 125 years of UT Martin history to life through rare images and stories.

Scan the QR code or visit alumni.utm.edu/125book to purchase your copy today.

Abear and bull face off in the form of two towering paintings that anchor either end of the expansive 20-foot walnut-and-epoxy, river-pour conference table. These two creatures have been synonymous with finance since the 18th centur y: the bear, a metaphor for the pessimism of a market in decline, while a bull ser ves as an optimistic symbol for a rising market.

Although both realities are present in the world of finance, for wealth management adviser and certified financial planner Mark Joyner (’97), it’s the confident and robust mindset that serves as the driving force — and logo — of The Wealth Management Group in Paducah, Kentucky.

“A bull fights by pushing the threat up with their head as it charges forward,” said Mark. “This bullish thought process is on the forefront of our brand and in the minds of our clients.”

Foundational Assets

Raised in South Fulton, Joyner attended nearby UT Martin to study accounting. This financial focus was inspired by a financial adviser who played an influential role in Joyner’s life. “I thought what he did for people was noble and challenging,” he said. When it came to his studies, Joyner noted the positive impact his favorite professor, Dr. Rhelda Barron, and academic adviser, Gwen Reese ('88), played in pushing him to succeed.

As a member of Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity, Greek life held special significance in Joyner’s collegiate experience — both for the leadership mindset it instilled as well as the relationships that were formed and continue to flourish. Although he and his wife, Kathryn (’95), an Alpha Omicron Pi from Sharon, grew up merely 30 miles from one another, it was at the Pike house where the couple first crossed paths. The couple have been married for 28 years and share two daughters, Ali Rose, an accounting major at the University of Mississippi, and Peyton, a senior at McCracken County High School.

Following his graduation from UT Martin in 1997, Joyner moved to Nashville and opened his first brokerage office in the Hermitage community Kathyrn, having studied communications, worked as a reporter for WPSD-TV in Paducah, Kentucky, before accepting a position in the marketing department of Western Baptist Hospital. Following their engagement, Mark relocated to Paducah, where he has built a name for himself as a financial titan through years of hard work, patience, and resilience. Most recently, The Wealth Management Group opened its new headquarters — an impressive newlyconstructed building situated on a picturesque parcel of land only minutes from the heart of the creative city.

Service Above Self

When asked about his proudest professional accomplishment, without hesitation, Joyner shared that, “Creating a business with the noble purpose of managing the wealth of generations and seeing it flourish while watching my clients flourish has been and continues to be a dream.” Over his career, he has forged deep professional and personal relationships with clients, some of whom are the great-grandchildren of his early clients, spanning 23 states. “My clients, in a lot of cases, have become like family,” he said.

Central to Joyner’s client-centered philosophy is a heart of service comprised of two core principles: compassion and

competence. Guiding his compassion is the reminder that it’s his client’s money and not his own. “When someone places you in charge of their life savings, you must realize how important this is,” he said. “One of my mentors told me once, ‘A man with his health has a thousand wishes, while a person without it has one.’” For Joyner, it’s about keeping the long game in mind and helping his clients not only build wealth for themselves but maintain it for their future generations.

Closely intertwined with the necessity of compassion is competence.

“Another mentor once told me that, 'A crook can lose your money but so can an idiot," said Joyner. As someone constantly on the cutting edge of new information regarding his craft, he also maintains the humility to realize he can’t be the expert on everything. Joyner notes this is where surrounding yourself with a network of experts, spanning tax advisers and estate attorneys, sets a great wealth management adviser apart.

Return on Investment

While serving as UT Martin’s Alumni Council president, Joyner received the following advice from then-Chancellor Keith Carver, “If you want to get big, think small.” Joyner and his staff have taken this advice to heart and implement it in their everyday operations. From tasks such as answering the phones or following up on their word, his firm remains committed to their clients in even the smallest of details. “These things are refreshing these days,” he said. “[Clients] remember how business once was, and I try to preserve that while combining it with the very best technology.”

In addition to his staff, Joyner instills the values of hard work and showing up in the little things to the future generation through a mentorship program with McCracken County High School that he’s coined The Platinum Project. The program, which features 20 high school seniors each year, introduces participants to a variety of professionals across industries and enables students to seek out mentors in their aspiring profession. The program also gives each of the seniors the opportunity to identify a junior student to mentor, naming the next cohort of participants. “My hope and expectation are that after 10 years I will have 200 men and women who are in trade school, medical school, law school, college, and the work force ready and willing to give back, spreading service and wisdom in their communities,” he said.

Through his experiences post-grad, Joyner has come to appreciate the caliber of education he received at UT Martin — through lessons taught in classrooms as well as those built on shared life experiences. For those entering the workforce to more seasoned professionals, his advice is simple.

“My journey has been filled with guides who have helped me navigate my way,” he said. “I would encourage all to find quality guides to help you navigate until you blaze your own trails. I would also encourage those same folks to guide others as you become a trailblazer.”

Story by Bud Grimes

Photos from Nathan Morgan

Restoring something to its original state can be a daunting challenge. This includes the restoration of land and streams to how they once were long ago. For Dr. Tom Blanchard, UT Martin professor of biological sciences, other scientists and UT Martin students, restoration projects create opportunities to benefit land, streams, wildlife, and people. Their work with the West Tennessee River Basin Authority (WTRBA) at DeLoach Creek in northern Madison County aims to restore fallow fields to their natural state, and among other benefits, provide a natural habitat for people to someday enjoy

Madison County is the 24th-largest landmass county in Tennessee, and population growth and development are moving northward toward the Three Way community where Middle Fork Bottoms State Park, Tennessee’s newest state park, is situated on the north side of Forked Deer River near the town. DeLoach Creek is located on the south side of the river, where 300 acres of former agricultural land are prone to flooding. The state purchased the land, and the river basin authority is working to restore the stream’s natural path and reconnect the floodplain.

One problem is that in its current state, nutrient-rich runoff flows directly into the river during flooding, which eventually finds its way to the Mississippi River and ultimately the Gulf of Mexico. The restoration project will help to address this by restoring native ecosystem ser vices that reduce excess nutrients to waterways.

The process and the participants

UT Martin and the WTRBA are contracted to do different aspects of the work. Blanchard was involved in UTM’s first contract in 2011, and three more contracts Dr. Kayla Key (’12), a former student of Blanchard’s from Beech Bluff who earned her doctorate at Tennessee Tech, now works with the WTRBA and asked the university for additional assistance. Faculty members Drs. Jennifer Greenwood and Lisa Krueger joined Blanchard to lend their expertise on the biological aspect of the project.

“What we are doing is we are monitoring the biological response to restoration in that localized area," Blanchard said. "There's also some more localized problems, with stream channelization and its effect on the connectivity between the stream and the landscape on either

“One of the things that happens when the streams are channelized is they're also leveed, which means the stream water never gets out of that unless it's an extreme flooding event,

Blanchard, whose academic specialties include herpetology and ichthyology, is studying fish, aquatic bugs, amphibians, and reptiles. Greenwood and Kruger will be examining algae in the stream and terrestrial plants, respectively. As faculty members, they value the research exposure for students like Noah Hickman of Cedar Grove, a senior environmental and organismal biology major, who is assisting Blanchard, and Mickey Rodriguez of Trenton, a senior wildlife biology major who is an intern with the West Tennessee River Basin Authority.

“The idea is to monitor that (area) for the long term to see what the response is in the vegetation, or for me, it's the fish and the aquatic bugs, and for Dr. Greenwood, it's the algae,” he said. “We're also looking at amphibians and reptiles and their use of that area, with the idea being that historically, it was a soybean/corn field, and not very many species of amphibian or reptiles there.

“Hopefully when the habitat is restored, then you would expect an increase in biological diversity of all those organisms.”

Why is biological restoration important alongside stream restoration? What benefits Deloach Creek should benefit Middle Fork Bottoms State Park just across the river, and then, there’s the potential of creating more natural space for people from Madison County and the region to enjoy.

“There are people that like to see things, that like to see a nighthawk or like to see a spotted salamander, or like to see a black racer, just wildlife viewing,” he said. “When I go out, I like to see those things, and there's lots of other people that do that, too, and so bringing back native wildlife is important for that.”

Partnering for change

Blanchard organized an early August visit to the DeLoach Creek site that included river basin authority and university representatives involved in the project. Two all-terrain vehicles traveled through heavy vegetation that was once cropland to where the creek meets the Middle Fork of the Forked Deer River. Outside of flooding, the creek’s depth generally varies from waistdeep water to a series of shallow pools and

was low enough this day to allow a short trek up the channel.

Kris Gordon (‘10) is an engineering graduate from Jackson who works with the WTRBA. Among other conservation duties, the river basin authority is tasked with maintaining the flow and function of West Tennessee streams. The WTRBA is under the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation.

“So, we're looking at taking DeLoach Creek and meandering it, increasing its length, adding some flood benefits, and hopefully some wetland benefits on this property that used to be all row crop,” Gordon explained. “It's been out of row crop for several years and just hoping to restore some of its flood function as well as increase floodplain for when the rivers get up. It’ll help take some of that flood peak off.”

Returning the stream to its original state is an engineering task, and duplicating what was in place decades ago won’t be perfect, but the changes made will make a positive difference.

“It's kind of hard to find old maps where the old meanders are,” Gordon said. “But that is our intent, to get it back to a meandered stream, instead of being straight, to mimic natural flow.”

Noah Hickman is assisting Blanchard in locating and sampling reptiles and amphibians to determine the site’s diversity. He’s also working with Krueger to study plant composition, while Rodriguez assists faculty members with project work, but is also conducting a personal research project comparing upstream and downstream water quality.

While gaining valuable research experience, both also will gather data to present at the Association of Southeastern Biologists conference in spring 2026 in Mobile, Alabama.

“I want to get into this line of work whenever I graduate,” Rodriguez said. “I really have a preference for habitat management, especially in aquatic or wetland habitats.”

"It's a beautiful site, and it's a great start to a career,” Hickman added. “It's highly motivating to want to do more work like this.”

Dr. Melody Sain (’12), a Humboldt native and also one of Blanchard’s former students, recently completed post-doc work at Bucknell University in Pennsylvania and is an environmental consultant-level two in her new position with the WTRBA.

As a botanist and greenhouse manager, she will propagate plants, possibly including river cane, in the restored site. Plants for DeLoach Creek will come from greenhouses located in nearby Three Way. Sain will also help introduce mussels with their natural filtering ability and host fish populations in rivers at this and other sites.

“I kind of like thinking of it as self-sustaining wetlands where you have mussels, you have fish, you have plants that are cleaning your water, filtering and helping out (with water quality),” Sain said.

Drew Barclay (’25) of South Fulton earned a degree in organismal biology and was deciding his next steps when Blanchard told him of a new partner position with the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency and WTRBA. The partner position would work with mussel propagation through the river basin authority and introduce the mollusks to rivers to improve water quality.

Originally focused on a marine biology career, Barclay has a new appreciation

for DeLoach Creek, the Forked Deer River, and other streams in the region. During the channel walk, Blanchard and Barclay didn’t hesitate to do some noodling for a baby catfish in a small creek pool.

Water quality is important, and although DeLoach Creek is too shallow to support a mussel population, Barclay sees a bigger opportunity just beyond the creek bank.

“The Forked Deer River would be great for mussel relocation. … I'm sure it's real healthy as it is, but the more mussels we can get out in the environment and get them working for a long period of time and growing and filtering the water, the better,” Barkley said.

Greenwood, a professor of biological sciences, has worked with the restoration project from its beginning. Her role is to determine how stream restoration changes the diatom community, which she expects to thrive with channelization reduction.

hW a t t h e y'

Diatoms are a type of aquatic microscopic algae that have glass cell walls and are colorful to view under a microscope. They are an important food source that supports fish populations and other animals, and they provide half the oxygen we breathe.

“Right now, there's a lot of sediment in the stream that's very shifty, and so every time it rains pretty hard, it's going to move that around, and it makes it hard for the diatoms to grow,” she said. “So, if we also get more stuff – we'd call it biomass – just more growth, that would probably mean that the flow is a little more stable, and so we could get more growth of diatoms.”

Work to be done

Stream restoration is a complex task that requires many kinds of expertise. During a final stop while exiting the site, Blanchard’s herpetology skills came into play when he caught a four-foot rat snake that remained calm through the experience and seemed to appreciate the group’s attention. Wildlife large and small, including this rat snake that calls the area home, should benefit from the project’s hoped-for success.

Restoring Deloach Creek closer to its original state is a challenge since climate and other conditions have changed over time. However, Tom Blanchard and those around him believe that what they’re doing makes a positive difference. To that end, DeLoach Creek and other West Tennessee sites stand to flourish where successful stream restoration occurs.

re doing ma k se a sopti i ev d i f f e r e nce

It seems appropriate to begin this Director’s Note with an excerpt from "The University of Tennessee at Martin: The First One Hundred Years" written by Robert (Bob) L. Carroll ('54)

From the last paragraph of the book, he writes:

“As UT Martin celebrates its one hundredth birthday in 2000, the founding fathers undoubtedly would beam with pride at the growth of the school from a fledgling onebuilding institution to a bustling primary campus of the University of Tennessee system with over 26,000 living alumni. … When the school became a part of the UT System, the primary objective remained the same, and challenges – the Great Depression, World War II, the influx of the “baby boomer,” etc., awaited once more. Again, they were met, and this undaunted spirit continues to hover over the campus as UT Martin begins a new century in an everchanging and fast-moving world.”

These past 25 years, since the 100th celebration, have brought their own challenges. However, the UT Martin spirit remains as vibrant and attentive as it was when Hall-Moody Institute founders envisioned a small town to become the higher education epicenter for Northwest Tennessee. With over 55,000 alumni now, and growing quickly, the future is as bright as ever. Alumni, we’re grateful to each of you for being a part of this story.

Dr. Jackie Johnson (‘08, ‘10) Associate Vice Chancellor of Alumni Relations

For the most up-to-date information, news, and event schedules, check out the alumni website at alumni.utm.edu.

As a UT Martin graduate, your continued engagement and involvement are critical to our success. Your personal commitment of time, talent, and treasure will ensure our future growth. Visit our website to discover meaningful ways you can impact your university.

Volunteer Opportunities Reunions

Alumni Council

Development Council Mentoring Program

Young Alumni Council

Speak Out for UT Alumni in the Classroom

In addition to visiting the website, feel free to write, call, or email the UT Martin Office of Alumni Relations for more information.

Office of Alumni Relations Dunagan Alumni Center 1900 Alumni Way Martin, TN 38238 (731) 881-7610

alumni@utm.edu

spotlight on alums

Andy Holt (’07) was sworn in as Tennessee’s 39th commissioner of agriculture in October, a role that caps years of public service and a deep commitment to the state’s agricultural community. Before his appointment by Governor Bill Lee, Holt served as deputy commissioner and assistant commissioner for the Business Development Division within the Department of Agriculture.

Holt represented House District 76 for a decade in the Tennessee General Assembly, serving Weakley County and parts of Carroll and Obion counties. During his tenure, he chaired the Budget Subcommittee and the Ag Day on the Hill Committee and served as vice chair of the House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee. His work focused on ensuring that the needs of agriculture, forestry, and rural communities were well represented. Prior to his time in the legislature, Holt worked with Farm Credit Services and the Tennessee Farmers Cooperative.

A first-generation farmer, Holt earned his bachelor’s degree in agricultural economics with a minor in animal science from UT Knoxville and completed his Master of Business Administration at UT Martin in 2007. He and his wife, Ellie, along with their seven children, live outside Dresden on a multigenerational family farm, where they raise beef, goats, and swine and operate a custom straw and hay-baling business. Each fall, their farm also welcomes visitors for agritourism activities.

spotlight on alums

For Ellen Murphy (‘06), leading the Fulton County (Kentucky) School District feels less like a career move and more like coming home. A 1993 Fulton County High School graduate and former teacher and principal, Murphy stepped into the role of superintendent this year after more than two decades of serving the community that raised her.

Murphy began her academic journey at Murray State before earning her master’s in administration from UT Martin. She says the program helped prepare her for the complexities of school leadership. Over her 26-year career, she has taught chemistry and biology, returned home after a stint in Tennessee and spent 11 years as principal of Fulton County High School. Under her leadership, graduation

rates increased, college and career ready initiatives strengthened, and partnerships with colleges and community partners flourished.

Those relationships, she says, are the foundation of her work. “I care about this district, I care about my community, and I want the best for the students here,” Murphy said.

She believes consistency matters in a small rural community, and felt called to provide it.

“We are in a very small rural community … people come and people leave, and we need consistency for our kids,” she said. “We need someone to invest in them who is going to be here.”

As superintendent, Murphy is focused on improving facilities, elevating academic

Jamie Burton (’04) knew he had earned a promotion to lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Army. What he didn’t know is that longtime friends from his UT Martin Office of Campus Recreation family would join his own family for Jamie’s promotion ceremony Nov. 9, 2024.

His campus recreation family included his wife, Allison Holden Burton (’06), who arranged the surprise gathering near Fort Leavenworth Army Base in Leavenworth, Kansas. Also part of the celebration were the Burton’s children, son Morgan and daughter Lola.

performance, and increasing student enrollment. “We are the best-kept secret in western Kentucky, and I want to get the word out on how great we are,” she said.

Murphy and her husband, Chuck, have two children, Hayden and Hannah.

“Jamie’s campus rec family is very proud of him and his accomplishments,” wrote Gina McClure (’94, ’97) in an email. “Glad to have been part of this achievement – truly a special day.” McClure was director of campus recreation at the time and is now assistant vice chancellor for student and residential life.

Joining McClure from Martin were Dr. David Taylor (’06) who worked for campus recreation as a lifeguard, building worker, intramural officer, and in special events from 2001 to 2005, and Phyllis Hammer, who was then the administrative assistant in campus recreation. Also making the trip was Eric Simmons, current campus recreation director.

The Burtons boast their own impressive record of Campus Recreation service: Jamie was an intramural official, lifeguard, building worker, special event worker, and a supervisor from 2001 to 2004 and 2006 to 2007, and Allison was an intramural official, lifeguard and building worker in 2003 to 2004, and was a supervisor from 2005 to 2007.

Jamie has served 18 years in the Army’s Air Defense Artiller y branch, which is a combat arms branch that defends against aerial and missile attacks and provides security surveillance. He currently serves in the Mission Command Training Program at Fort Leavenworth.

Earning a promotion to lieutenant colonel is a special accomplishment for Jamie Burton. Having members of your college work family join your own family to celebrate the achievement deserves a salute.

For Youree Maddox Dickerson (’08), fashion has always been part of who she is. “I can’t remember a time when I wasn’t interested in fashion,” she said. While becoming a designer had always been the dream, her travel experiences with UT Martin’s fashion merchandising program helped her see a future in the industry. “Traveling and actually going to market really sparked an interest in me,” she said. “I saw that there was room for me in Dallas, Texas, doing what I wanted to do in the fashion field.”

A native of Union City, Youree chose UT Martin for its fashion merchandising program and the balance of independence and proximity to her close-knit family. On campus, she stayed involved through Leaders in Residence, the Black Student Association, and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc.

After graduation, she worked at her former middle school before moving to Dallas and becoming a certified teacher. She enjoyed the work but missed having a creative outlet. That pursuit led her to roles with a modeling agency and event management on a college campus. When the pandemic shifted her work to home, she used the extra time to launch her Africaninspired clothing line, Youree’s aFREEcan Runway. The line features garments handmade in Ghana and Nigeria and was featured in LA Fashion Week.

Today, she designs custom menswear, including her son’s tuxedo for his junior prom, and owns three companies in Dallas that allow her to live out her passion as a fashion designer and stylist.

Cheyenne Stewart (‘25) found her path at UT Martin through hands-on learning that shaped both her confidence and her career. A business management major from Centerville, she graduated in three years with all A's and credits scholarships like the Nunley Scholarship and UT Promise for helping her stay focused on her goals.

While at UT Martin, Stewart became the first student to earn a scholarship and internship with First Farmers and Merchants Bank. Summers spent working as a teller and marketing intern helped open the door to her future career. After graduation, the bank created a fulltime position for her, and she now serves as the marketing administrator at First Farmers Bank in Columbia.

Stewart points to several professors who helped prepare her for the work she does today. Dr. Lajuan Davis, professor of information systems, introduced her to building SharePoint sites, and Dr. Christie Chen, professor of management, strengthened her Excel skills. She also gained industry insight through conferences and a Conference of State Bank Supervisors (CSBS) case study with John Clark ('75) of the Dunagan Chair of Excellence in Banking.

Her time at UT Martin also included unique opportunities such as interning at a Super Bowl and two NFL London games. Stewart says those moments helped her grow and gave her confidence to step into new challenges.

She hopes to continue building her career in marketing, while carrying for ward the lessons of hard work gratitude and community she learned at UT Martin.

Bobby Pulley (‘02) has spent more than two decades building a career rooted in service, leadership, and a deep commitment to Tennessee families. A 2002 UT Martin business administration graduate, Pulley was recently named the next chief executive officer of Farm Bureau Insurance of Tennessee, becoming only the sixth person to hold the role in the company’s history.

Pulley began his Tennessee Farmers Insurance Company career in Stewart County, quickly earning a reputation as a steady and thoughtful leader. Over the years, he guided offices in Gibson-Milan and Dover, later stepping into regional leadership before being named chief marketing officer in 2021. Colleagues credit him with combining strategic vision with a strong sense of mission, qualities that made his selection as CEO a natural next step.

Pulley took office on Jan. 1, and continues to focus on strengthening the company’s service to members and supporting agents across the state.

Pulley lives in Columbia with his wife, Tanya, and their three daughters.

spotlight on alums

Standing in the spotlight has become familiar for Martin native Blaine McDonald (’23, ’25). After earning recognition as a top UT Martin undergraduate communications student, she moved into professional media as a reporter, then morning anchor at WPSD-TV in Paducah, Kentucky. In July, she expanded her path once again by joining Paducah Main Street as the nonprofit’s new executive director.

McDonald grew up next door to the UT Martin campus and completed her undergraduate degree in three and a half years. Along the way, she earned notable honors, including the Radio Horizon Award from the Tennessee Association of

Broadcasters Excellence in Broadcasting ceremony in 2022. As graduation approached, she weighed a radio opportunity, but decided to continue her job search. She reached out to longtime communication faculty member Dr. Richard Robinson for guidance, and within a week, she had interviewed with WPSD, received an offer, and stepped into the fast-paced world of television news.

Although she appeared at ease on camera, McDonald credits the support and mentorship she received behind the scenes. Veteran morning co-anchor Mike Mallory played a significant role in helping her transition from field reporting to the anchor desk. The almost 40-year age difference between the two did not matter to viewers because their on-air chemistry connected naturally with the audience. Their early-morning schedule also created a routine that helped her grow in confidence and skill.

Social media has remained an important part of McDonald's professional life. She built a following as a young teenager and used her understanding of tone and messaging to support her reporting style. Her posts remain positive and motivational and reflect the brand she has created for herself.

While managing a demanding broadcast schedule, McDonald also completed her master’s degree in mass media and strategic communication in 2025. Work responsibilities, winter weather, and a major flooding event all added challenges, but supportive faculty helped her stay on track.

A long television career seemed likely until the opportunity with Paducah Main Street came along. Her farewell to WPSD was emotional for colleagues and viewers who had welcomed her into their homes each morning. Today, she brings her communication skills, community focus, and strong work ethic to a new role that highlights the next chapter of her career.

For more than 40 years, John Clark (‘75) has built a legacy of leadership in banking and a reputation for championing students at UT Martin. Since 2017, he has served as the interim director of the Dunagan Chair of Excellence in Banking. Although the interim title has remained, Clark has become a steady and influential presence who continues to raise the bar for engagement and student support across the College of Business and Global Affairs.

Clark earned his bachelor’s degree from UT Knoxville and later completed his master ’s degree in education at UT Martin. His banking career began at the Bank of Sharon in 1976. He became president and CEO in 1981 and later established Sharon Bancshares Inc., which grew into four banks and eventually became part of First State Bank. First State expanded to 30 branches before merging with Simmons Bank in 2015. His leadership was recognized statewide when he received the Tennessee Bankers Association Banking in Excellence Award in 2008.

At UT Martin, Clark focuses on providing scholarships, creating internships, and connecting students with industry leaders. Many students credit him with setting them on a career path, including Cheyenne Stewart ('25), who said, “If it were not for Mr. Clark’s dedication to connecting students with professionals in the banking industry, I would not have the job I have today.”

Clark also leads key events such as the Mid-South Ag Finance Conference and the annual Bankers Luncheon, and helped develop the state’s first trust certification for students. His student teams have earned national recognition in the C SBS Bank Case Study Competition, including three first-place finishes in the last five years.

As former Chancellor Keith Carver often said, “ The only thing Mr. Clark does not do well is retiring.”

Dr. Phillip Watkins ('56), UT Martin’s first vice chancellor for student affairs, is remembered for a lifetime of service defined by kindness and a deep commitment to students. He died Nov. 12 in Martin after a 43-year career in higher education, including 36 years at UT Martin. Known for his steady presence and approachable nature, he shaped the lives of generations of students.

A native of Rives, Watkins graduated from UT Martin Branch in 1956 and earned master’s and doctoral degrees from the University of Illinois. He returned to UT Martin in 1964 as a biology professor and later moved into academic and student affairs leadership. In 1973, he became the university’s first vice chancellor for undergraduate life, later known as student affairs.

Colleagues and students remember him for his genuine care. Chancellor Emeritus Margaret Perry ('61) said, “He truly was the students’ best friend and leader.” Chancellor Yancy Freeman also reflected on Watkins’ influence, noting that he was respected across student affairs circles. “I appreciate the foundation he helped to lay for how we serve UT Martin students today,” Freeman said. “His strong legacy lives on.”

Watkins worked closely with his colleague and friend Harold Conner to expand opportunities for student involvement, support new students, and strengthen services in the Boling University Center. He advised student organizations and remained a trusted mentor throughout his career. His openness made a lasting impression on students. Dr. Francine Madrey, a 1971 graduate who enrolled when approximately 100 Black students attended UT Martin, remembered how he engaged with students. “He was cordial and friendly, never distant but sitting or standing close to students when conversing with them to ensure openness and concern,” she said. As the only Black resident assistant at the time, she recalled feeling welcomed and appreciated by Watkins.

In 2007, the Friends Statues in the university quad were named to honor the friendships formed on campus and to recognize Watkins, Dr. Paul Blaylock Jr. ('68) and former SGA officers. After his retirement in 2000, the university dedicated the Phillip W. Watkins Auditorium and created the Watkins Student Leadership Development Fund. His influence continues through the people he guided and the programs he helped shape.

Names, graduation years, hometowns, and dates of death are noted. Other names listed are UT Martin faculty, staff, and university supporters. Names were submitted or identified by the Office of Alumni Relations or the Office of University Relations. Graduation dates are noted in parentheses for UT Martin graduates.

• Dr. Robert Allen of Madisonville passed away Nov. 3, 2025 (former faculty member).

• Joan Marie Coller Callis (‘71) of Lexington, South Carolina, passed away Oct. 15, 2025.

• Karen A. Cross (‘80) of Sharon passed away May 20, 2025.

• Marilucile Counce (UTJC ’46, UTM M.S. ’61) of Martin passed away Nov. 11, 2025.

• Wallace Reed “Butch” Dowty of Fulton, Kentucky, passed away Oct. 30, 2025 (retired UTM athletics equipment manager).

• Stephon Edwards (‘89) of Martin passed away July 11, 2025.

• Marvin Flatt (’76, ‘83) of Martin passed away July 15, 2025.

• Bob Fletcher (’78) of Dacula, Georgia, passed away Sept. 7, 2025.

• Dr. Tom Gallien (‘67) of Martin passed away Oct. 2, 2025.

• Matthew Hazlewood of Martin passed away Aug. 21, 2025 (carpentry shop supervisor, UT Martin Physical Plant).

• Quentin Charles Klinkefus (’02) of South Fulton passed away Dec. 11, 2025 (retired custodial supervisor, UT Martin Physical Plant).

• Carolyn Ann Miler of Martin passed away Sept. 28, 2025 (retired staff member, Office of Extended Campus and Continuing Education).

• Carol Murphey of McKenzie passed away July 3, 2025 (retired faculty member).

• Terry Overall (’74) of Union City passed away July 10, 2025.

• Dr. John Petersen of Chapel Hill, North Carolina, UT president, 2004-2009, passed away Sept. 11, 2025.

• Ernestine Scott of Martin passed away Dec. 3, 2025 (retired UT Martin Office of Housing employee).

• Tammy Sparks (’90) of Union City passed away July 5, 2025.

• William Travis Towns (’61) of Union City passed away Sept. 7, 2025.

• Stanley Vickers (‘87) of Martin passed away Sept. 14, 2025.

• Jared Vowell (‘08) of Covington passed away Sept. 2, 2025.

• Andy Webb (’84) of Waverly passed away May 17, 2025.

• Vicki Ann Wilkinson (’83, ‘92) of Union City passed away Nov. 27, 2025.

• Joey Workman (‘03) of Hermitage passed away Aug. 11, 2025.

• Ken Zimmerman of Memphis passed away May 6, 2025 (retired faculty member).

in memory

Tom E. Hendrix ('59) of Nashville, longtime McNairy County businessman and entrepreneur, died Sept. 25, 2025. His gift to UT Martin in 1985 helped to create the Tom E. Hendrix Chair of Excellence in Free Enterprise in what is now the College of Business and Global Affairs.

A Jan. 9, 1985, column in the Paris Post-Intelligencer highlighted UT Martin as “the first small university in Tennessee to establish a Chair of Excellence as the result of a generous gift of Selmer businessman Tom Hendrix.”

The chair was established to promote a better understanding of the nation’s economic system and provide entrepreneurship opportunities for UT Martin students.

The 1959 UT Martin agriculture graduate was recognized for his contributions to the university in 1990 when he received the Distinguished Service Award from Chancellor Emeritus Margaret Perry.

class notes

1971

Terry Hailey (’71) of Union City was a 2025 Career Class inductee into the Tennessee Radio Hall of Fame. Hailey, the mayor of Union City, began work in the broadcasting business in 1967 and retired from WENK Inc., in December 2017 after 51 years with stations in Union City, Fulton, Paris, and Dover. Hailey and the new class of inductees were announced July 26 at Battle Ground Academy in Franklin. (Courtesy: The Official Tennessee Radio Hall of Fame Community Facebook page)

1982

Dr. Donald W. Comer ('82) was appointed interim president of Lane College, effective Aug. 1, 2024. A Jackson native, he retired from FedEx after a 35-year career as a senior executive in decision science, analytics and operations analysis. He brings extensive leadership experience along with a strong commitment to student success, having served as an advocate and mentor through board service with two historically Black colleges and the National Black MBA Association.

1993

Jason Williams ('93) has been named interim director of the UT AgResearch and Education Center at Milan after nearly three decades as a research associate. A UT Martin agricultural business graduate with a master’s degree from Murray State University, Williams began at the Milan Center in 1995 and has supported research, tours, and events, including the Milan No-Till Field Day. He now oversees daily operations, educational programs and ongoing row crop research at the center.

2015

Tiffany Carpenter ('15) was named principal of MP&F Strategic Communications and leads the agency’s new Knoxville office. A veteran communicator with more than 30 years of experience, she previously served as vice president for communications and marketing for the University of Tennessee System, where she led the award-winning "Everywhere You Look, UT" campaign. Carpenter’s background includes leadership roles with the UT Foundation and UT Athletics and earlier agency work with The Ingram Group and Atkinson Public Relations.

2017

Hunter Crouse ('17), a Greenfield native, has returned to Weakley County as a primary care physician with West Tennessee Medical Group in Martin. He earned his biology degree from UT Martin before completing medical school at LMU-DeBusk and a family medicine residency in Jackson, where he served as chief resident. He also works as a hospitalist at West Tennessee Healthcare Volunteer Hospital. Crouse lives in Martin with his wife, Macy, and their son, Max.

2018

Kaleb Byars ('18) is an assistant professor of law at Mercer University School of Law. He earned his undergraduate degree in economics and finance from UT Martin and graduated as valedictorian of the UT College of Law, where he served as editor in chief of the Tennessee Law Review. Byars previously clerked for federal courts in Tennessee and the Eighth Circuit and has published scholarly work in several major law reviews.

2020

Devon Majors ('20), an associate attorney with Thompson Burton PLLC, was featured in a Nashville Scene story published July 16, 2025, about his legal challenge of “standard vacant service fees” charged by an apartment landlord. Known as “junk fees” by tenant advocates, Majors contended that the fees are a lease-agreement alteration and are not legal. Majors earned a political science degree at UT Martin and his law degree from the University of Tennessee Winston College of Law in 2023. At UT Martin, he was a two-term Student Government Association president, serving from April 2018 to April 2020.

Share your story with us! Submit a Skyhawk Note at alumni.utm.edu

one last thought

STUDENT

Last spring, Ashlee Mallon, UT Martin senior finance major and Dresden native, had the honor of representing the College of Business and Global Affairs as their nominee for the University of Tennessee System Board of Trustees student trustee position.

Before her nomination, former student trustee and UT Knoxville student Lisa Patel crossed paths with Mallon at the February 2025 board of trustees meeting on UT Martin’s campus. She suggested that Mallon apply for the student trustee position. Mallon’s response was immediate.

“I told her, I don’t know why you’re telling me that. Absolutely not. No thanks.”

It took her one week to change her mind.

After an intensive selection process, Mallon was named the 2025-2026 UT System Board of Trustees student trustee. Her term ends in summer 2026, but for Mallon, that is far from the end of her story.

Mallon will graduate from UT Martin in May 2026 at just 20 years old after making her mark on the university in two short years. She credits this feat to dual enrollment that fast-tracked her college timeline.

Alongside her position on the board of trustees, Mallon’s campus involvement and leadership reaches across Student Government Association, Student Alumni Council, and the College of Business and Global Affairs.

Above all, Mallon cites her family as her biggest motivator. As a kid, watching her grandfather build businesses and overcome challenges inspired her to pursue her dreams and go into the legal field, with hopes to continue his legacy and open her own law firm.

Relentless commitment defines Mallon’s approach to her goals. She works better under pressure, she admits. Mallon takes things day by day, working tirelessly to ensure that every student’s perspective and experience continue to be enhanced, not only at UT Martin but across the UT System.

That same determination carried her through over 300 pages of board materials before her first official vote, countless Zoom meetings with UT System officials and the intimidation of walking into her first official meeting. It is all a careful balancing act, but to Mallon, it is a privilege.

“This is one of the things I hold very close to my heart,” she said. “This is one of the biggest things I have ever done.”