Appointment as a Chancellor’s Professor constitutes the highest lifetime honor that can be accorded to a member of the faculty of the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. This new designation recognizes extraordinary, nationally or internationally recognized, scholarly attainment in an individual discipline or field as well as a record of excellence in teaching and service to the Knoxville campus of the University of Tennessee.

Chancellor’s Professors are appointed by the Chancellor on the recommendation of the Provost. The initial class of seven Chancellor’s Professors was recommended to the Chancellor by the Provost based upon nominations by the collegiate deans. Going forward, the Chancellor’s Professors will recommend to the Provost and Chancellor the appointment of additional members in the spring of each year. Normally, the total number of Chancellor’s Professors will not exceed two percent of UT Knoxville’s tenured/tenure-track faculty, resulting in a maximum of 18 to 20 honorees at any point in time.

The Chancellor’s Professors will receive a one-time research stipend of $20,000 as a token of their outstanding achievement. Individuals who hold endowed positions may retain these positions, although this may affect the amount of the research award associated with the Chancellor’s Professorship.

The Chancellor’s Professors will meet at regular intervals to advise the Provost, the Vice Chancellor for Research, and the Chancellor on matters of concern to the campus. Chancellor’s Professors will also participate in the Chancellor’s Professor Faculty Lecture Series, to take place at regular intervals during the academic year.