Volume 149, Issue 01
Poster Sale opens for the first week of class
It Doesn’t have to be ‘Your Year’ Page 5
Page 4
Wednesday, August 26, 2026
@utkdailybeacon
County commission interrogates Flock OLIVIA LEE News Editor
TESSA NACKE Asst. News Editor
Protesters scoffed, snickered and shook their heads at Flock Safety officials and Knox County Sheriff’s Office representatives during Monday’s Knox County Commission workshop. Signs with messages like “Get the Flock out” and “Surveillance does not equal safety” decorated the crowd of protestors, who gathered in direct opposition to the nearly 150 Flock-manufactured cameras stationed across Knox County. “This technology has been brought upon us without any kind of regulation, any kind of oversight,” protestor Tim Massey said. “It suddenly appeared.” Flock CEO Garrett Langley did not attend the
workshop despite County Commissioner Gina Oster saying Langley was expected to be present in late July. Commissioners instead directed their questions toward Flock Director of Public Affairs Trevor Chandler and regional sales director Alex Guth. The county commissioners addressed concerns over privacy — concerns citizens have expressed as Flock cameras are installed in neighborhoods across the county. “Ten (cameras) are within a 5-mile radius of my house. It’s not a high crime area,” County Commissioner Adam Thompson said. “If this was for preventing violent crime, I’m not sure why we have so many in a non-violent crime area.” See ‘FLOCK INTERROGATION’, Page 3
Hugh Holt speaks during the Knox County Commission Knox County Commission workshop in Knoxville, Tenn on Aug. 24. Trevor Jolley/ The Daily Beacon
Tennessee icon Dolly Parton dies at 80 LOGAN WEST Staff Writer Country music icon Dolly Parton died in Nashville at the age of 80 Tuesday afternoon. The singer and songwriter who captured millions of hearts across her 70-year career passed just four days after opening her new truck stop. Known for her mile-high blonde hair and unparalleled musical talents, Parton not only rose to fame in the music industry, but her dedication to philanthropy inspired thousands. The University of Tennessee’s campus erupted with shock, grief and bewilderment at the news of the country music legend’s passing. “This has been a very devastating realization,” Caroline Brack, junior environmental and soil science major, said. “Nobody really ever had a bad thing to say about her and I mean, she has an incredible legacy that will surely live on, but it’s just definitely heart-
breaking to hear of this.” Tears streamed down the faces of students in intense phone conversations, while others’ eyes widened in disbelief when made aware of the tragic event. “The one thing that we need to remember is to pass on her legacy because ultimately the good does not die with her,” Ella Phipps, junior microbiology major, said. “We can keep going as long as we keep her values in mind because we need more Dolly Partons.” Parton’s legacy lives on not only in her music, but in her philanthropic efforts. Parton founded the Imagination Library in 1995 to promote childhood literacy by providing free books to children from birth to the age of 5 regardless of family income. Nick Geidner, director of The Media Center at UT, worked alongside university students in 2020 to produce a feature-length documentary about the Imagination Library.
Geidner had the chance to interview Parton in the making of the documentary. “I mean, she had much bigger, more important documentarians than us come and ask her to do this film,” Geidner said. “But they let us because it was tied to UT. Because we promised to engage students in every part of the process, and I think she was really all about that.” Parton’s impact on Knoxville grew in February when the East Tennessee Children’s Hospital renamed itself as the Dolly Parton Children’s Hospital in honor of Parton’s collaboration with the hospital. The heartbreaking announcement hits close to home for many in the Volunteer State. The East Tennessee native grew up in a one-room cabin nestled in Sevier County. Students across campus who are mourning the loss of Parton held vigils Tuesday night to honor her memorable legacy.
Dolly Parton is escorted off the field by Peyton Manning after her performance of ‘Rocky Top’ at Neyland Stadium on Nov. 18, 2023. File/ The Daily Beacon
True freshman Faizon Brandon named Vols QB1 TREVOR MCGEE Sports Editor
Faizon Brandon (11) throws the ball during practice at Neyland-Thompson Sports Complex on, Aug. 5. David Smith/ The Daily Beacon
For the first time since 2004, Tennessee football will trot out a true freshman quarterback in the season opener. When the Vols take the field Sept. 5 against Furman, it’ll be Faizon Brandon leading the offense, head coach Josh Heupel announced Aug. 24. Brandon, the No. 10 composite player in the 2026 recruiting class, will become the first true freshman starter in game one of the season since Brent Schaeffer over two decades ago. “We named him the starter because we believe in the work that he’s put in and how he’s continued to grow and play throughout training camp,” Heupel said. “The second week through the second scrimmage, he’s earned that right.” The 6-foot-4, 225-pounder will become just the 13th true freshman signal-caller to start a game for the University of Tennessee, trailing the likes of Peyton Manning, Casey Clausen and Erik Ainge. Brandon earned the job after arriving on campus in January as an early enrollee. He beat out second-year quarterback George MacIntyre in the two-man battle. “I think in all, (it was) his control, command of what we’re doing offensively — that’s in run game, the (run-pass option) game, the drop-back, play action,” Heupel said as to why Brandon won the job. “Combine that with fundamentals, technique, pocket awareness, you put all those things together, decision-making, taking care of the football while still allowing his playmakers to make plays down the field. You look at the total volume of work and he’s earned the right start.”
Hailing from Greensboro, North Carolina, Brandon compiled a 35-1 record and two state championships during his prep career at Grimsley High School. He totaled 114 total touchdowns (90 passing, 24 rushing) to just 10 interceptions. How true freshmen quarterbacks have performed under Heupel When Brandon takes the first snap in two weeks, he’ll become just the third true freshman to start a game under Heupel in his nine seasons as a head coach. It’ll be just the second firstyear starter since he’s been at Tennessee. University of Central Florida quarterback Dillon Gabriel was the first, enjoying a 9-3 season in 2019 while tossing for 3,653 yards with 29 touchdowns and seven interceptions. Nico Iamaleava is the lone true freshman to do it at Tennessee with a singular start in the 2024 Citrus Bowl. Iamaleava led Tennessee to a 35-0 win over Iowa, rushing for three touchdowns while completing 12-of-19 passes for 151 yards and another score. How true freshmen starters have fared at Tennessee Brandon joins a list of just 12 other quarterbacks at UT. Iamaleava is the most recent, while Harrison Bailey, Brian Maurer, Will McBride, Josh Dobbs, Justin Worley, Tyler Bray, Erik Ainge, Schaeffer and Clausen have all manned the position as first-year quarterbacks in the 21st century. See ‘FAZION BRANDON VOLS QB1’, Page 6
News
Page 2
The Daily Beacon
@utkdailybeacon | Wednesday, August 26, 2026 | www.utdailybeacon.com
‘Where’s the beef?’ Agricultural programs strengthen UT’s farm-to-table pipeline LOGAN WEST Staff Writer The smell of sizzling burgers wafts throughout the halls while students eagerly wait at nearby tables. As an emerging desire for transparency in the American food system grows, many prioritize knowing the origins of their food. The university’s hands-on agricultural programs are showcasing the connection between the farm and the table. The land-grant mission The University of Tennessee has deep agricultural roots that stretch back over 160 years to its founding as a land-grant institution. Now, those historic roots are serving students in a new way. Long before Neyland Stadium or the Hill, UT began with the simple mission of service and education to Tennesseans through agriculture and innovation. In 1862, President Abraham Lincoln signed the Morrill Act, which provided federal funding for the establishment of “land-grant institutions” and advancement of agriculture and practical fields within higher education. That mission lives on, not just in classrooms, but also on students’ plates. UT beef in campus dining First opened in spring of 2025 on West campus, Orange Acres has become a popular burger spot among students. For sophomore business student Jackson Earls, visiting the restaurant has become a campus ritual.“I enjoy going to Orange
Acres before my class on (agriculture) campus,” Earls said. “I kind of fell in love with it.” While the crispy fries and specialty burgers garner much attention, the agricultural connection hits closer to home than most realize. The beef in each burger is sourced from UT farms. Through the UT Institute of Agriculture, researchers have been studying cattle production for over a century, combining research, education and now, dining. Senior Vice Chancellor and Senior Vice President of UTIA Keith Carver shared the inspiration behind the cafe. “We’ve done beef cattle research at the University of Tennessee for almost 100 years,” Carver said. “A couple years back, someone said, ‘Wouldn’t it be great if we used some of our processed beef and served it on campus?’ That was the genesis of it.” That idea created Orange Acres. It is a way to remind students that agriculture is an integral part of their everyday lives. “When you order a cheeseburger from Orange Acres and there’s this huge picture on the wall of the research farm, it sort of connects what you’re ordering to where it’s sourced from,”
If you care about food, fiber or fuel, agriculture is a part of that.” KEITH CARVER Senior Vice President of the UT Institute of Agriculture
Carver said. “If you care about food, fiber or fuel, agriculture is a part of that.” Student opportunities The goal isn’t just a great tasting burger, it’s about bringing education beyond the classroom and into the community. Much of the beef used at Orange Acres, as well as other popular dining spots on campus, is raised and processed on UT research farms. At the East Tennessee AgResearch and Education Center, black angus cattle graze on acres of green, rolling hills. “Primarily, what we run Black Angus cattle graze at East Tennessee AgResearch and Education Center — Blount Unit. on Aug. 2. Logan West / The Daily Beacon here is a cow-calf herd,” ETREC director Ethan Parkresearch farms.” in the same way,” Earls said, er said as he gestured toward By providing experiential “and that they’ve been doing it the field of docile bovine, “but learning opportunities, this for a while.” it’s not only beef cattle research program aims to set students that we do.” up for success in their fuFrom the The Blount Unit is one of two ture agricultural purMorrill Act of beef locations within the system suits. 1862 to tothat also hosts sheep, biofuel “Our goal is to preday’s student and forage research. It is care- pare students so when lunch line, fully maintained by university they go out to get a UT continues personnel and students. job, people are like, to teach and The Live and Learn Internship ‘Wow, they actually serve the VolProgram allows a select few UT know what’s going on. unteer State. students to obtain free housing They didn’t just read The university’s in exchange for farm labor. about it somewhere – farm-to-table efUT alum and former Live and they actually experienced it,’” forts are keeping the Learn intern Aidan Flynn said Parker said. land-grant legacy alive. this opportunity was extremely This involvement in farm “Everyday is ‘Ag Day,’ here at impactful and he wishes others management allows students the University of Tennessee,” could understand the impor- to get a head start in their ca- Carver said. tance of the research centers. reers. Learning new agricultural “I really hope to see the pro- methods and the best practices gram grow. We have a lot of for livestock health is critical for students interested in animal the future of the food system. science,” Flynn said, “and they “It gives me peace of mind could do much more hands-on knowing that in 20 years my learning if they knew about our food is still going to be handled
Fraternity Park takes on record number of recruits
Behind the scenes of the largest fraternity rush class in UT histor y CASSIDY GASPARD Staff Writer UT kicked off Fraternity recruitment last week with 1,316 registered rushees, the highest number of participants the UT Interfraternity Council has ever recorded. The number of registered students this year more than doubled the 681 students who registered in 2021. Austin Bagdasarian, president of Lambda Chi Alpha, said the chapter has expanded recruitment operations to manage the increase. “We have to add a lot more people on deck and ensure that we have proper logistical operations to have a smooth recruitment,” Bagdasarian said. Parker Huskey, vice president of Lambda Chi Alpha, said the increase in potential new members, or PNMs, is expected considering UT’s continued enrollment growth. “It is an exciting thing for UT,” Huskey said. “We know the school is growing, and our chapter is going to come shortly after that.” Luke Dipietro-Froio, a member of Lambda Chi Alpha’s spring 2026 pledge class, said the larger pool of PNMs has given the chapter more candidates to consider during recruitment. “It means that we need to be more selective in the guys that we bring on because we have so many to pick from, which is great,” Dipietro-Froio said. “The university is growing, more people want to be involved in our Greek life here, and I can see why.” New chapter growth The Kappa Alpha Order final-
ized its return to UT in April, officially rechartered. This fall rush served as a further opportunity to allow the chapter to rebuild its membership on campus. Chance Townson, recruitment chair of Kappa Alpha Order, said the large number of candidates will give the chapter an opportunity to construct its first fall recruitment class that reflects its values. “I think it is a fantastic opportunity for us as a new chapter back to campus to be able to grow the chapter the way we want, making sure we’re getting the guys that fit the values we hold,” Townson said. “It is a great opportunity for us to get back to the point that we were a lot sooner than we had expected before.” Townson said the dedication he has seen during the recruitment process reflects the current members’ commitment to the chapter. “There is commitment from all of our members to pitch into recruitment,” Townson said. “It’s been fantastic to watch guys who are driven individuals want to grow our chapter.” Sullivan Clarke, a junior and the current new member educator and house director of Kappa Alpha Order, said the larger number of PNMs has strengthened the chapter’s focus on building a strong foundation for the future. “Quantity drives quality,” Clarke said. “It gives us a good opportunity to get guys that fit our values and continue the ex-
cellence that we found here over the past year. They are the future of our chapter and our leadership as a whole.” Sophomore member Griffin Brown reflected on his own recruitment experience and the relationships he has formed from his participation in Greek life. “I think it’s good that we can have more and more people be involved in Greek life, especially to make connections later down the road for jobs in the future or just overall making friends for life,” Brown said. Saving the best for last As recruitment progresses, fraternity members said the preference round gives PNMs more time to explore each chapter and hold valuable conversations. “The beginning rounds are hard because of how long they are and the short time you have with each individual PNM,” Bagdasarian said. “Preference round is really when you seal the deal and are able to have a long conversation and start growing a relationship with the new members.” Dipietro-Froio said preference round also allows PNMs to compare and evaluate each fraterni-
It is an exciting thing for UT. We know the school is growing, and our chapter is going to come shortly after that. PARKER HUSKEY Vice President of Lambda Chi Alpha
Members of Lambda Chi Alpha meet with potential new members on Aug. 15. Ethan Bailey / The Daily Beacon ty’s values. “Preference round is when you really see the differences in what each fraternity values and which one is going to suit you best,” Dipietro-Froio said. Why rush? For some students, fraternity recruitment can offer the opportunity to develop personally and build connections during college. “I think rushees are looking for a way to develop through the college experience, to learn, create a strong network of like-minded individuals,” Bagdasarian said. Freshman PNM Christian Dillard said family members involved in Greek life influenced his decision to rush. “Coming into UT, I just want to have a brotherhood, have guys to rely on, and I want to grow,” Dillard said. “The main point of college is becoming a better person, becoming a better man.” Dillard said the recruitment process has helped him improve his social skills when communicating with a wide range of people. “Meeting these different personalities, growing socially and learning how to talk to different people has been a valuable experience,” Dillard said. “It’s been an experience I will never forget.” Davis Neely, a freshman studying construction management, said he entered recruit-
ment hoping to meet new people after coming to UT with an existing social circle. He said the recruitment process has introduced him to new friendships. “It is a long process, but in the end it is really rewarding to meet a lot of new people that I can make long-term friends with,” Neely said. Current members also said it is rewarding to assist in the process of new students finding connections at UT. “The guys are freshmen coming in looking to meet people and find a sense of community. Being able to play a role in that process as a whole is very rewarding,” Clarke said. Overall, the continuously increasing number of students participating in Greek life recruitment at UT reflects students’ continued interest in the process. “I think it reflects nicely on the Interfraternity Council and Greek life in general and shows that we want to be part of it,” Dipietro-Froio said. The University of Tennessee did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The Interfraternity Council declined to comment.
The Daily Beacon
@utkdailybeacon | Wednesday, August 26, 2026 | www.utdailybeacon.com
Page 3
New EVER Knoxville apartments open doors to first residents KELA FIFER Staff Writer If housekeeping services, a sauna and a pet spa are on your must-have list when it comes to housing, EVER Knoxville might be the complex for you. The most recent addition to the Cumberland strip officially welcomed its first class of residents Aug. 7. Upon their arrival, new tenants walked into a building that “looked exactly like the pictures” and were welcomed in by staff with complimentary food, drinks and movers to kick off the day and to make the move-in process run smoothly. For many students, EVER’s location, pricing and the chance to be the first to live there were enticing draws. Potential residents also found the available amenities to be another aspect that drew them in. A “micro market,” sky lounge, in-house café and yoga rooms are amongst the features listed on EVER’s website. Residents also have access to services such as personal training, massages and the option to form or join clubs. Upon signing the leasing agreement, residents gain access to an app that allows them to navigate through these resources. “It’s all brand new,” Phoenix Neisen, a second year mechanical engineering student said. “Everything is great quality, great condition. You can tell that they put thought into the design.” While most students were touring potential living accommodations last year, those who had their sights set on living at EVER were not able to do the same. Due to active construction, potential residents were only able to take virtual walkthroughs of the building and available units. For some residents, signing a lease of an uncompleted apartment was a slight cause of concern. To combat some of this uncertainty,
EVER staff worked to keep residents informed of progress being made on their new home. Residents were updated through emails and social media posts that documented the progression of construction. “I feel like (EVER) was really good at communicating with us,” sophomore Olivia Feldman said. “I felt really reassured that everything was going to work out.” Despite the novelty of the complex, it does not come without issues. According to residents, the most notable issues arise from the parking garage and elevators. One resident described the incorporated parking garage as “very tight” and “difficult to navigate.” Neisen recounted having to switch parking spots due to his car’s inability to fit within his originally assigned spot. In addition to parking annoyances, students have experienced frustrations with elevators and staircases. The complex is equipped with two elevators that serve the entire building. At times, these elevators become out of service, forcing residents to use the stairs, which are still undergoing construction. “I have to factor in an extra five or ten minutes just to get out of the building,” Feldman said. Though residents have run into a few challenges, their first week at their new apartment has been made easier by a “super helpful and friendly” staff. Students have also been enjoying a host of events being thrown at the complex. Most recently, EVER hosted a chicken wing eating contest, sunrise yoga classes and a coffee truck for the first day of class. EVER Knoxville did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The new EVER Knoxville apartment building stands at 1919 Lake Ave on Aug 24. Jaden Vitt / The Daily Beacon
Flock interrogation | cont. from page 1 Before taking questions from the commissioners, Chandler denounced the claim that Flock cameras violate the Constitution’s Fourth Amendment, calling it a “myth” during his opening presentation. “Just to be clear, I was not stating my opinion. I was stating the unanimous consensus votes across the country, and so that is currently the unanimous consensus,” Chandler said. Chandler also emphasized the company’s focus on vehicle identification as opposed to facial recognition, which he said Flock cameras do not perform. “This is about vehicles, not people,” Chandler said. Beyond security concerns, commissioners prodded KCSO officers on the approach the sheriff’s office took to purchasing the cameras. A report provided to the commissioners included information behind the purchasing orders of the cameras. County Commissioner Larsen Jay pointed out multiple transactions since 2022 that cost the sheriff’s office $24,990 for 10 Flock cameras, falling just below the threshold that requires the sheriff’s office to seek additional approval on a purchase. “It was constant purchases for cameras that fell right under the threshold for $25,000 to trigger sort of an additional review, and multiple transactions that I’ve been provided information on are $24,990,” Jay said. “Which to me shows a pattern of constantly buying stuff that’s just barely under the threshold again and again and again. It really concerns me.” According to the report Jay read, five Flock cameras cost the department $12,500, calling into question the $24,990 purchase for 10 cameras. “That means you got a $10 discount
for five more cameras?” Jay said. “When you have the exact same price, less $10, to not hit a threshold, it raises a huge red flag to me.” The sheriff’s office director of procurement Hugh Holt told Jay the purchase cost exactly $24,990, noting that he was not directly involved with the Flock transactions until October 2025 despite being the director of procurement since 2016. “If you’re the director of procurement, why were you not involved with buying things for the sheriff’s office?” Jay said. Questions about the value of Flock cameras followed discussion about the purchases themselves, with County Commissioner Shane Jackson noting Knox County does not Protesters hold signs during the Knox County Commission workshop on Aug. 24. own the cameras them-Trevor Jolley / The Daily Beacon selves. The sheriff’s of“We got a gift from the state of Ten- devices have a place in Knox County.” fice’s payment buys the office access to the cameras’ data, which is stored for nessee of $1.5 million, and there was “I wonder whether this meeting is 30 days before being deleted by Flock, a laundry list of things we could have with the exception of data being used in spent money on,” Thompson said. “Is moot because I have here in front of me there any money that’s been spent on a letter from Mayor Glenn Jacobs cancriminal investigations. celing the contract and saying that it “Flock owns the cameras. We own the anything other than this technology?” was never approved or legally through data,” Holt said. The workshop came after months of our system,” Jackson said. “If we’re not Thompson said the sheriff’s office needs to consider how they are spend- nationwide resistance to the cameras. in contract, you know, why are we even ing taxpayer dollars on a “very thin Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs re- here?” cently said he does “not believe these budget.”
G10 Parking Garage cuts change fall parking KIERSTEN COLLINS Summer Staff Writer With the approval and financing of the Neyland Entertainment District, construction continues to affect parking at UT. The Neyland Entertainment District will be between Neyland Stadium and the Food City Center. The entertainment district will have a hotel overlooking the stadium, restaurants, event spaces and shops. The base of the hotel is planned to be the G10 garage. However, the current G10 garage lacks the structural integrity to hold the hotel on top. This has resulted in the demolition of two-thirds of the G10 parking garage. The demolished part of G10 will be rebuilt, and according to Knox News, will be completed by August 2027. UT Parking and Transportation says to “use the interactive campus map to check the parking zones for Fall 2026 prior to selecting your permit.” On the interactive map, the Neyland Entertainment District and a large portion of the G10 garage is flagged
for construction with the description “Demolition of Northeast portion of G10 Garage and rebuilding effort for Neyland Entertainment District. (June 12, 2026 – Throughout Summer 2026).” The smaller portion of the G10 garage is listed under available parking as CC2 (commuter core). Since the Neyland Entertainment District started construction in June, it is not plausible to expect all of G10 to be open in the fall. The Executive Director of Parking and Transportation declined comment to The Daily Beacon. On July 31, UT Parking and Transportation put out a statement about fall 2026 campus parking updates: “As work continues on the Neyland Entertainment District project, parking conditions and availability may change throughout the fall 2026 semester. Updates will be shared as project milestones are finalized and new information becomes available. To help accommodate the temporary loss of parking spaces during construction, the university will also share information about additional surface parking lots that will be available for campus parking.” Since parking is already scarce, the demolition of G10 will displace over 1,000 students on the weekdays, as well as fans on the weekends.
The G10 Parking Garage displays zero open spaces on Aug. 21. Jaden Vitt / The Daily Beacon
Page 4
Arts & Culture
The Daily Beacon
@utkdailybeacon | Wednesday, August 26, 2026 | www.utdailybeacon.com
Poster sale opens for first week of class JAMES BIDDIX Staff Writer
The opening weeks of classes have offered a unique opportunity for students looking to decorate their new dorm rooms. Starting on Aug. 15, the poster sale opened on the second floor of the Student Union in room 270. The sale has provided access to a menagerie of popular posters featuring genres such as music, sports, movies and video games. The low prices and vast selection have marked the sale as a popular way of decorating students’ dorm rooms, houses and apartments around campus. Justin Bogden, a freshman finance major, attended Sunday. “There were a lot of people there … they had a great selection, actually I got a pretty cool F1 poster of Max Verstappen,” Bogden said. Owen Meyer, another firstyear finance major, cited the event’s friendly atmosphere. “The (poster sale) is great, I met a lot of people. It was a good experience … I ended up buying a Tame Impala poster and a Katy Perry fireworks one.” Tame Impala, a popular psychedelic rock singer, and Katy Perry, a renowned pop artist, represent just a few of the trending topics and genres the prints cover. The event ended Aug. 21 after serving the largest class of incoming undergraduates in UT history with over 7,200 new students. The sale itself was conducted in partnership with the College Poster Company
and the UT student life faculty. The poster company lacks a formal headquarters, instead operating out of a printing warehouse in New York, and hiring sale representatives to bring their merchandise to college campuses around the country. While the company retains the majority of proceeds, the university itself will receive a portion of sales in exchange for providing the venue and advertising. The college poster company prides itself on this unique business model, citing its effectiveness in keeping costs down and allowing students to undercut pricing on traditionally expensive prints. Between its hours of 11 a.m. – 11 p.m. on weekdays, and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekends, it’s not uncommon to spot swaths of students perusing through the rows of bins and boxes. With lines going out the door, the sale seems to be a massive success, letting the university and its students profit from the partnership. The college poster company plans to return in 2027 in time for the fall semester, with new prints and posters continuing what has fast become a UT tradition.
The (poster sale) is great, I met a lot of people. It was a good experience … I ended up buying a Tame Impala poster and a Katy Perry fireworks one.” Owen Myer First-Year Finance Major
on Aug. their dorm eacon r fo r te s o Daily B erfect p find the p 21 Jaden Vitt / The Students
Knoxvillians find community in UT gardens AUBREY HOLLAND Contributor At the forefront of the UT campus, the University of Tennessee Gardens welcome everyone who passes by. Since the garden’s establishment in 1983, it has grown greatly in its education and connection with its recurring visitors and volunteers, as well as in its relationship with UT’s students. The UT Gardens are housed under the Department of Plant Sciences. Gary Bates, the department head, is involved in helping to coordinate and oversee the research, teaching and outreach programs within the Department of Plant Sciences. The Department of Plant Sciences deals with all things plants, covering everything from row crop production and landscape design, as well as biotechnology and genomics. The UT Gardens were originally trial gardens for the Department of Plant Sciences and plant breeders. Now, Bates calls the UT Gardens its own unit within the department. “Well, we look at the gardens really sort of like a living laboratory,” Bates said. “I mean, we have lots of classes that go down there and, you know, it’s also a community outreach tool that we have.” Bates claimed there may be 100,000 people that come to visit
Exploring the origin and inner workings of the famous gardens the gardens every year. The UT Gardens are a true community outreach tool available to everyone and a major recognizable part of UT’s campus. “I think (UT Gardens) is an incredible source of pride for the department, you know?” Bates said. “I mean, we’re very proud of having that.” James Newburn, managing director of UT Gardens, has spent his entire career at the gardens. Newburn began as a work studies student at UT in ornamental horticulture. It is officially his 30th year working at the UT Gardens. “So, most of the trees in here, I’ve planted and have got to see grow up,” Newburn said. “You know, I tell people I have the best job in Knoxville. This is my lab. I just have always enjoyed what I do.” The UT Gardens began in 1983 as only six straight, 100-foot-long rows filled with bedding plants, and its land has always been a part of agricultural research. Plant companies and breeders continue to use the gardens to create unnamed varieties to test their suitability for the market. Though the garden has always been concerned with its beauty and aesthetics, education is their
biggest responsibility. Because of that, they have every single plant in the garden labeled. The gardens are used by various UT courses, such as those involved with plant sciences, landscape design and forestry. The College of Education also visits and utilizes the space as a school garden to teach math and science.
Newburn appreciates the available green space of the gardens and how they act as a valuable resource for the campus community. “My least favorite phrase is, ‘The gardens are the best kept
UT gardens offers a peaceful escape from campus on Aug. 21 Jadyden Randolph / The Daily Beacon
secret in Knoxville.’ And it’s like, I don’t want to be the best kept secret.” Newburn said. “We are free and open to the public 365 days a year. There is no gate. You could come during the day to light hours.” Through one of Newburn’s educational directors, UT Gardens hosts many school field trips and summer camps. Their goal is to instill in the coming generation an appreciation for nature, as well as awareness around how delicate it can be. Newburn believes that we need to be responsible stewards and look for things like sustainability and environmental issues that weren’t as prevalent as when the gardens began. “We’re here for teaching, research and then outreach, because we are a public garden,” Newburn said. Though UT Gardens has various volunteer programs and sessions, one of the most important ones is the Master Gardener Program. A large majority of the gardens’ volunteers are retired residents who are experienced master gardeners. They each have an adopter spot which they are assigned to take care of by the gardens and told by staff what is necessary to properly tend it. “It is so cool when we come in and we have, you know, elderly master gardeners, seniors, working side by side with young people who are just learning,” Newburn said. “The seniors kind of feed off the energy of the young folk, and then, you know, the students are just learning everything that they are being taught in test textbooks about horticulture.” Every year, the UT Gardens hosts Art in the Garden. The garden staff chooses an animal or plant to create marine-grade plywood cutouts for people to embellish or decorate. The art is placed on display on the first Friday of June and then auctioned in September. This year, Newburn says the animal will be a bear, as the gardens are partnering with the
Great Smoky Mountains. Newburn told of how Joe DiPietro, Randy Boyd’s predecessor, described UT Gardens as the front porch to the UT, and that he understood their role. At one time, the garden used to have a fence around it that discouraged people from visiting. “So we took the fence down,” Newburn said. “And so, really, it is true that a lot of people, their first exposure to UT is coming to the gardens. And then from there, they discover what UT is all about.” UT Gardens has transitioned all of their diesel-powered equipment to be battery-powered as a part of their current focus on sustainability. They have installed a solar flower in the gardens that powers all of the batteries for their equipment. The solar flower collects the sunlight, charges the battery and feeds the electricity to the shed where they plug all of their equipment. “As a group, we are very concerned with sustainability and want to showcase ways of working with nature as opposed to working against nature,” Newburn said. UT Gardens will only continue to grow further in its progression under the Department of Plant Sciences. Under people like Newburn, others will learn and discover more about the beauty of the gardens and all that nature has to share. This article was produced in conjunction with the course JMED 200. It has been edited and reviewed by members of The Daily Beacon editorial team.
So we took the fence down. And so, really, it is true that a lot of people, their first exposure to UT is coming to the gardens. And then from there, they discover what UT is all about.” James Newburn Managing Director of UT Gardens
The Daily Beacon
DAILY BEACON STAFF AND POLICY INFORMATION EDITORIAL EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: Patrick Busch MANAGING EDITOR: Lauren Holladay COPY CHIEF: Margret White NEWS EDITOR: Olivia Lee ASSISTANT NEWS EDITOR: Tessa Nacke ARTS & CULTURE EDITOR: Harper Brabson SPORTS EDITOR: Trevor McGee ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR: Alex Sarkis OPINIONS EDITOR: Natalie Dripchak PHOTO EDITOR: Jayden Randolph DESIGN EDITOR: Maya Williams DIGITAL EDITOR: Trip Scoutten SOCIAL MEDIA EDITOR: Sarah Portanka AUDIENCE DEVELOPMENT EDITOR: Grace
White
EDITOR EMERITUS: Caden Dyer COVER DESIGN: Maya Williams PAGE DESIGNERS: Delaney Karr, Kiersten
Collins, Amelie Carrillo, Shelby Perdue GRAPHICS BY: Maya Williams, Shelby Perdue, Delaney Karr
ADVERTISING/PRODUCTION ADVERTISING MANAGER: Claudia
Damants
ADVERTISING REPRESENTATIVE: Colin
Piacentine
CONTACTS TO REPORT A NEWS ITEM OR SUBMIT A PRESS RELEASE, please email editorinchief@utdailybeacon.com or call (865) 974-2348 TO PLACE AN AD, please email admanager@utk.edu. LETTERS POLICY: Letters to the Editor must be exclusive to The Daily Beacon and cannot have been submitted to or published by other media. Letters should not exceed 400 words and can be edited or shortened for space. Letters can also be edited for grammar and typographical errors, and letters that contain excessive grammatical errors can be rejected for this reason. Anonymous letters will not be published. Authors should include their full name, mailing address, city of residence, phone number and e-mail address for verification purposes. Letters submitted without this information will not be published. The preferred method to submit a letter to the Editor is to email the Editor-in-Chief. CORRECTIONS POLICY: It is the Daily Beacon’s policy to quickly correct any factual errors and clarify any potentially misleading information. Errors brought to our attention by readers or staff members will be corrected and printed on page two of our publication. To report an error please send as much information as possible about where and when the error occurred to managingeditor@ utdailybeacon.com, or call our newsroom at (865) 974-5206. The Daily Beacon is published by students at The University of Tennessee on Wednesday during the fall and spring semesters. The offices are located at 1345 Circle Park Drive, 005 Communications Building, Knoxville, TN 37996-0314. The newspaper is free on campus and is available via mail subscription for $200/year or $100/semester. It is also available online at: www.utdailybeacon.com
Opinion
Page 5
@utkdailybeacon | Wednesday, August 26, 2026 | www.utdailybeacon.com
You don’t have to make this ‘your year’ NATALIE DRIPCHAK Opinions Editor
The first week of school comes with an unspoken expectation: This year, you’ll finally get it right. Everyone is excited for a brand new semester or, for incoming freshmen, a brand new place to finally become the best version of yourself. But as someone who is starting their senior year of college (scary, I know), this mindset will set you up for failure. Not in the failure you’re thinking of. You aren’t necessarily going to fail at everything if you have that mindset, but it places these extraordinary pressures on yourself that may just cause you to do the exact opposite of what you were intending. Essentially, the first week or month of school is how people set goals as soon as the ball drops in Times Square. We as students place so much importance on how the beginning of the year goes, but the beginning does not determine the end. Everyone is excited about new clothes, new back-to-school accessories, new apartments or houses, while simultaneously wanting perfect grades, a stacked resume and going to the gym five times a week to finally ‘get back into shape.’ And while you can be excited about these things, I know I am, there seems to be too much importance placed on these first checklist items instead of focusing on what is truly important, which is living in the moment. Which I believe is something that has been lost over the years for a multitude of reasons, but mainly because comparison is the thief of joy. We spend so much time on social media looking at other people’s posts and comparing every aspect of our lives to theirs. This can be hard to watch and balance because we’re not only setting expectations for ourselves, but we’re watching everyone else seemingly meet theirs. But this is your reminder that social media is a highlight reel. Everything you see is curated to make it look like people have their life together. You have to remember that what you see is only a fraction of someone’s
life. Where do we get this idea that we need to have a perfect year and have our lives completely figured out? A fresh start gives us a sense of control. And that can be hard to deal with. I know I struggle a lot with feeling out of control of my life, and ‘starting over’ helps me have that control. But after years of ‘starting fresh,’ I have only felt burnt out and disappointed. We feel the need to start over because it marks the beginning of a new chapter, but this doesn’t necessarily have to be true. We feel the need to start on a Monday, Jan. 1 or the first week of school, but those dates aren’t anything special. We have been programmed to believe they are special in attempts to reinvent ourselves, but in reality, change can happen on any day. And as someone who has experienced lots of changes, it really does happen on a random Wednesday. The problem with constantly waiting for a fresh start is that eventually the ‘fresh’ wears off. Your planner isn’t perfectly organized anymore. You might miss a day at the gym. Maybe you went out really late and missed your class the next morning. Maybe you fail an exam. You realize you were part of a club or organization that you find isn’t fulfilling you anymore. All of these things can happen, and it doesn’t mean you failed at your ‘new beginning’ — it means you’re experiencing life. You don’t need to make this the ‘perfect year.’ You just need to actually experience it. Looking back on my years at college, the things I thought mattered actually didn’t matter at all. I don’t remember (or care) whether I was 100% organized all the time or whether I went to the gym every day, and I definitely got over that time I failed an exam. What you’re going to realize is important is the random nights with your friends, building connections, changing your mind, realizing something isn’t serving you anymore, doing things you didn’t plan and
failing at something but being able to learn from your mistakes. I’m starting to realize that maybe the goal shouldn’t be to have the perfect year. Maybe the goal should just be to have a year that actually feels like yours. As I start my senior year, I’ve been thinking a lot about how quickly college has gone by. And when I look back at the last three years, I think about all of the mistakes I’ve made and how many times I have changed my mind, and I realize that none of it was perfect, but it’s gotten me to where I am right now. Allowing yourself to break free from the constraints you put on yourself at the beginning
of the year is the best advice I can give you. You don’t need to have a plan for every minute of your time at college. Live your life, make mistakes, be wrong, fail, because these things are all so important to help you grow and evolve. If I didn’t make mistakes or change my mind or do something out of my comfort zone, I wouldn’t be here writing this article.
So, maybe this isn’t the year you finally ‘get it right.’ Maybe you miss a class, change your mind, abandon a goal or realize that the version of yourself you imagined in August isn’t who you want to be anymore. Let it happen. You don’t need another Monday, another Jan. 1 or another first day of school to start over. And you certainly don’t need to spend the year trying to become the perfect version of yourself. The year is going to happen whether or not it goes according to plan. You might as well be there for it.
Graphic by Shelb y
Perdue
Natalie Dripchak is a senior at UT studying advertising. She can be reached at ndripcha@vols.utk.edu.
Columns and letters of The Daily Beacon are the views of the individual and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Beacon or the Beacon’s editorial staff.
The road to becoming a Vol WILL SILBERMAN Columnist If you had told me four years ago that I would be a Tennessee fan, I would have called you crazy. Even after my first few weeks at school here, it seemed odd. I wanted Tennessee to win, but the losses did not sit with me the same way they did when my other teams lost. That changed on Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023. I wasn’t exactly the biggest Tennessee fan growing up. I was a kid who liked a Big 10 school in the heart of SEC country during the peak of the SEC dominance, so it’s safe to say I despised the conference and especially the middle-ofthe-pack teams that clung to past glory and rode Alabama and Georgia’s coattails while chanting, “SEC, SEC, SEC.” I made fun of the conference every chance I could get. Fast forward a few years, and all of the sudden I was a student at Tennessee and didn’t know how to approach the sports fandom. That all changed when Tennessee played Alabama in 2023. On the road in Tuscaloosa, it was the first time playing them since the epic 52-49 win the season prior. I felt good. I had spent the previous night at Rounders and the next morning, I woke up hungry. Walking around Tuscaloosa in orange, I could feel the hate. I was excited for the game and had been tailgating with my friends. I was mellow about how I thought the game would turn out. I really thought Ten-
see, but for many, that might be another team — a rival even. It is not the same for everyone, but at some point you will realize that your allegiances have flipped. For me, that moment was on the road in Tuscaloosa. For many of my friends, it was the first time they walked into Neyland. You don’t know when it will happen, but at some point this semester, you will have that moment too. It just kind of hits you like a bolt of lightning. You say to yourself, “Holy crap … It’s happening.” You feel like you’ve become part of something bigger than yourself. For me, that moment was halftime in Tuscaloosa, surrounded by fans who wanted me to be quiet. For the freshmen this year, it will likely be somewhere different, but it will happen. It’s only a matter of time until you realize you are not just a person who attends Tennessee. You are part of Tennessee and Tennessee is a part of you. Fans checkerboard the stadium during a game against Georgia at Neyland Stadium on Sept. 13, 2025. File / The Daily Beacon nessee could win, I just didn’t me. I had become a Tennessee another team, not sure they know if they would. To my fan. The threats of the good ole want to give up on the team shock at halftime, Tennessee boys only fueled me more. Sad- they grew up with. was up on Alabama, and I was ly, Tennessee lost that game, One benefit of coming to a juiced. I was the loudest per- and the season looked to be school like Tennessee is its son in that prison compound falling apart before our very sports programs. That is one they call an SEC stadium. Not eyes. One thing was clear, how- of the major reasons we have shockingly, the good ole Al- ever: ‘they’ had become a ‘we,’ students here from Virginabama crowd didn’t appreci- and I was along for the ride. ia, California, Illinois and New ate my enthusiasm. In fact, Every year, a new class comes Jersey (although probably too Alabama fans in our section to campus, arriving from all many from New Jersey). Freshyelled at me and told me to sit over. Some have been lifelong men come to campus in the fall, down multiple times. I even got Vols. Some have never watched and they bring with them their threatened once. a game before. Others, like me, teams they grew up watching. When halftime started, it hit come in originally cheering for For some, that team is Tennes-
Will Silberman is a senior at UT studying economics. He can be reached at wsilberm@vols.utk.edu.
Columns and letters of The Daily Beacon are the views of the individual and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Beacon or the Beacon’s editorial staff.
Sports
Page 6
The Daily Beacon
@utkdailybeacon | Wednesday, August 26, 2026 | www.utdailybeacon.com
Tennessee soccer’s Kylee Simmons, Shae O’Rourke make mark on Senior Day against Western Carolina
NATHAN MILES Contributor
It only took Kylee Simmons 53 seconds to get the Senior Day festivities rolling. After the fifth-year Tennessee soccer forward was honored pregame along with teammates Shae O’Rourke, Dakota Brown and Lauryn Berry, Simmons had an early penalty kick opportunity when Western Carolina’s Alexandra Grammenopoulos committed a foul. Simmons found the back of the net for her third goal of the season to put the Lady Vols ahead of the Catamounts while most fans were still trickling into Regal Soccer Stadium. “Obviously fitting for one of (Simmons or O’Rourke) to take that,” Tennessee head coach Joe Kirt said. “Both have a ton of experience.” O’Rourke joined the party soon afterwards with a goal of her own, a header in the 10th minute of action. Her last goal came exactly one year before this one, as she suffered a season-ending ACL injury early in the 2025 season. “A big day for her against this group,” Kirt said. “For her to score a goal, and even with her head, it’s pretty cool. I’m excited for her. It’s great to see her back on the field, scoring.” She’s not alone. Simmons too went down with an ACL injury that caused her to miss the whole 2025 season for
Shae O’Rourke (2), Dakota Brown (23), Lauryn Berry (29) and Kylee Simmons (22) are recognized at Tennessee soccer’s Senior Day at Regal Soccer Stadium on Aug. 23. David Smith/ The Daily Beacon an impact for Kirt’s team in the early stages of the season as the Lady Vols remain undefeated. “It’s great having them on the field,” Kirt said. “I think
It’s great having them on the field,” Kirt said. “I think that’s what we expected from both of them. It’s why we wanted them to be a part of this program. Unfortunately, we were stripped of tha opportunity last year, to no fault of their own, but you can see the value they provide early on, and we expect that to continue. JOE KIRT HEAD COACH Tennessee after transferring from Missouri. Both Simmons and O’Rourke had long injury recoveries, but now they are both back on the field, making
that’s what we expected from both of them. It’s why we wanted them to be a part of this program. Unfortunately, we were stripped of that op-
Faizon Brandon Vols QB1
portunity last year, to no fault of their own, but you can see the value they provide early on, and we expect that to continue.” Simmons and O’Rourke aren’t the only ones providing value. In the second half, two freshmen, Olivia Feagin and Jayla Blue, picked up where the fifth-year players left off. Both found the back of the net as the Lady Vols went on to win 4-0. Kirt is impressed with the way his players, both veterans and newcomers, are problem solving and being intentional with what the game gives them. “They’re playing with the maturity that we didn’t know we were going to get, but they’ve done really well with it,” Kirt said. As the Lady Vols approach the final matches of noncon-
ference play, Kirt is excited for the challenge presented by a road matchup with Virginia, as well as what lies ahead in SEC play. He believes that Simmons, O’Rourke and the rest of the Lady Vols can keep the momentum going even as the opponents get tougher. “I think continuing to build, build our structure, build our confidence, know what makes us good,” Kirt said. “I think they’re ready to go and I know that based on the past six weeks.” Graphic by Maya Williams
Graphic by Delaney Karr
cont. from Page 1
Just Alan Cockrell and Manning did so before 2000. Schaeffer was the first true freshman to start for an SEC team since 1973 when the NCAA allowed freshmen to participate in varsity football. His stint was short-lived — passing for 302 yards with three total scores — splitting time with Ainge before a season-ending injury. Iamaleava, Bailey and Maurer — the three most recent passers to start for the Vols — also totaled just eight total starts in their first year. Iamaleava’s was a lone game, while Bailey started the final three games of a shortened 2020 season and Maurer earned four starts in a 2019 season where all the wins were vacated by Jeremy Pruitt. Bailey tossed for 578 yards, four touchdowns and two interceptions in his three starts before transferring. Maurer added 541 yards and four total touchdowns in his starts before transferring. Dobbs is the most recent success story, but he didn’t immediately perform as a freshman. In four starts during the 2013 season, Dobbs passed for 695 yards and two touchdowns but threw five interceptions. Ainge, Clausen, and Manning each earned honors as true freshmen starters. All of them took over the starting job after not earning it immediately.
Ainge’s 2004 season — splitting time with Schaeffer — earned him a Freshman All-American nod during a 10win season where he passed for 17 touchdowns and nine picks. Clausen also earned Freshman All-American honors while tossing 15 touchdowns and six interceptions. Manning took over in 1994 and passed for 11 touchdowns with a 7-1 record en route to an SEC Freshman of the Year award. Brandon will join the list when he takes the first snap for Tennessee when it kicks off the 2026 season with Furman at 3:30 p.m. Sept. 5 in Neyland Stadium.
We named him the starter because we believe in the work that he’s put in and how he’s continued to grow and play throughout training camp,” Heupel said. “The second week through the second scrimmage, he’s earned that right. JOSH HEUPAL Head Coach
Students walk through campus on their first day of class Aug. 17 Jaden Vitt / The Daily Beacon
The Daily Beacon
@utkdailybeacon | Wednesday, August 26, 2026 | www.utdailybeacon.com
Page 7
How a ‘next man up’ mentality is fueling Tennessee football after losing Edrees Farooq ALEX SARKIS Asst. Sports Editor
ready preparing themselves,” Moss said. “It’s just the next man up. We’re just going to keep pushing each other to be better and better. Whoever gets that role, it’s going to be the best person out there.” Tre Poteat and Dylan Lewis are among the returners from Tennessee’s 2025 secondary. The sophomore duo each found themselves thrust into action as freshmen while Banks searched for answers. Poteat played in all 13 games, registering 12 total tackles and a pair of pass deflections. Lewis appeared in two SEC games against Georgia and Mississippi State. He notched his first career tackle against the Bulldogs in a dramatic overtime loss. Both are looking to grow in their roles in 2026 — especially with one defensive leader already down. “Just next man up,” Lewis said. “Continue to just keep working, keep pushing. It’s time for me to step up and be a new leader, control the defense. The safeties are the quarterbacks of the dvefense, so I’ve got to be able to lead.”
Edrees Farooq (15) scores during a game against Kentucky at Kroger Field on Oct. 25, 2025. File / The Daily Beacon A season ago, many placed the blame on Tennessee football’s defense for a disappointing campaign. The criticism didn’t come without strong warrant. The Vols entered 2025 as a group with lofty expectations, especially on a defensive side of the ball that helped power them to a College Football Playoff berth a year prior. Tennessee held its opponents to 16.1 points per game in 2024, a mark that ranked seventh-best in the country. That number ballooned to 28.8 once the 13-game story of last season concluded. Rapid change followed. If he had the chance, former defensive coordinator Tim Banks likely would’ve cited the injury bug as one of the primary reasons for his unit’s struggles. Injuries are the curse that every team in the country must deal with, but
the Vols still drew some of the most unfavorable cards. With the countdown to the regular season thinning, Tennessee’s bad injury luck isn’t. The Vols lost defensive back Edrees Farooq to a season-ending injury during practice on Aug. 15. The torn patellar tendon in his right knee will not only keep the junior from a potential breakout season — it’s another bad break for the Vols’ defense. “It was devastating,” safeties coach Anthony Poindexter said. “Not only for his team, but I feel bad for Edrees. Just all the work he had put in. He was having a tremendous camp. He really was starting to separate himself. I could see him having a great season. But like I told the guys, now it’s the next man up.” Farooq found himself in a
starting role as a sophomore, tallying 76 tackles while forcing six total turnovers. He came on strong late in the season, acting as one of the bright spots among otherwise ugly showings in losses against Oklahoma and Vanderbilt. Tennessee’s new-look defensive staff for 2026 didn’t have to deal with the secondary-oriented losses of Jermod McCoy and Rickey Gibson III in 2025. But it wasn’t long before Poindexter and Penn State-imported defensive coordinator Jim Knowles had their first major injury hurdle to jump. Farooq’s loss will not go unnoticed. The Vols’ defensive depth will be tested again. “(Edrees) was about to be the starter, but I felt good about the depth,” Poindexter said. “But obviously when you, you lose an
impact player like Edrees, you have to reshuffle, reorganize. But we still got some really good players in that room. We should be good enough to play good football and good, solid pass defense and run defense with the guys we got left.” As for the guys they do have left in the secondary, the Vols will deploy plenty of new faces to try and improve from last season. TJ Metcalf and Qua Moss bring a veteran presence to Tennessee’s defensive backfield, a pair of seniors who have both had their fair share of reps before transferring into Knowles’ defense. The Vols didn’t have this luxury when McCoy and Gibson went down. Farooq’s injury isn’t resonating as the heaviest gut punch to these new troops. “Everybody was al-
Everybody was already preparing themselves,” Moss said. “It’s just the next man up. We’re just going to keep pushing each other to be better and better. Whoever gets that role, it’s going to be the best person out there. QUA MOSS Defensive Back
Graphic by Maya Williams
UT Research Foundation sues Anthropic LOGAN WEST Staff Writer As UT administrators strive to recruit new rockstar researchers, three of the university’s past and present faculty members are fighting to reclaim their twelve-year-old project .In mid-July, the University of Tennessee Research Foundation filed the first ever patent infringement lawsuit against Anthropic, an artificial intelligence company known for creating the popular language model, Claude. The Court Filings
Students walk through campus on their first day of class Aug. 17 Jaden Vitt / The Daily Beacon
WELCOME BACK VOLS!
The lawsuit alleges the AI enterprise utilized machine-learning technology created by UT researchers J. Douglas Birdwell, Mark E. Dean and Catherine Schuman, infringing upon two patents the researchers filed in 2014. The patents-in-suit are the property of the UTRF, a non-profit that supports university research efforts. UTRF is responsible for protecting UT intellectual property and promoting its commercialization. The patents cover neural network technology, a machine learning model inspired by the structure and functions of the human brain. UTRF claims Anthropic used this patented technology in Claude Code and basic software without authorization, but it is unclear how the company gained access to the technology. According to the complaint,
Anthropic has not been in connection or communication with the organization to obtain permission for use. The complaint says the AI giant “has been no friend to the developers and owners of intellectual property rights.” UTRF is seeking damages stemming from Anthropic’s infringement and any other relief that might be proved to be entitled to them. Past legal disputes and public concern Anthropic is no stranger to legal battles. While this lawsuit is the first regarding patent infringement, the enterprise recently settled a $1.5 billion copyright lawsuit over pirated books used to train its AI models. While patent infringement and piracy are certainly cause for concern, many also criticize the potential safety concerns of the company. President Donald Trump took to Truth Social in February to direct all federal agencies to cease use of Anthropic’s products, stating they were a major security threat. “We don’t need it, we don’t want it, and will not do business with them again!” Trump said. On August 10, a group of House Democrats sought to summon leaders of Anthropic and other major AI companies to testify before the U.S. Congress on the topic of public safety and privacy.
After many instances of hacking from rogue AI agents, lawmakers on both sides have called for stronger legisla- tion and accountability from creators, making this a bipartisan issue. Why this matters for UT Large federal agencies, private entities and educational institutions including UT have had to adapt to the widespread usage of AI. If the allegations are proven correct, UT unknowingly played a critical role in creating Claude, an AI chatbot with over 18 million monthly active users. UTRF and Anthropic have not yet responded to a request for comment. President Donald Trump took to Truth Social in February to direct all federal agencies to cease use of Anthropic’s products, stating they were a major security threat. “We don’t need it, we don’t want it, and will not do business with them again!” Trump said. On August 10, a group of House Democrats sought to summon leaders of Anthropic and other major AI companies to testify before the U.S.
Congress on the topic of public safety and privacy. After many instances of hacking from rogue AI agents, lawmakers on both sides have called for stronger legislation and accountability from creators, making this a bipartisan issue. Why this matters for UT Large federal agencies, private entities and educational institutions including UT have had to adapt to the widespread usage of AI. If the allegations are proven correct, UT unknowingly played a critical role in creating Claude, an AI chatbot with over 18 million monthly active users. UTRF and Anthropic have not yet responded to a request for comment.
The Daily Beacon
Entertainment @utkdailybeacon | Wednesday, August 26, 2026 | www.utdailybeacon.com
Domen Puncer Kugler © 2008-2025
This chart is compiled weekly by Makayla Gardner, courts and crime beat reporter, in accordance with the 60-Day Crime Log available at https://clery.utk.edu/crime-log/.
Page 8