In his remarks, Alexander reminded us all that while public service has its challenges, it is a fulfilling and impactful way to make a difference in our communities and our country. He encouraged students across disciplines to step up as leaders in their communities.
Thank you to everyone who has been part of this success this year, both on campus and in our community. Congratulations to our fall graduates. I look forward to the new year and all the opportunities ahead.
UT Knoxville has been on the rise. As we continue to meet the goals that we have set for ourselves, it is time to think about what comes next. What will it take to bring UT to the next level?
This fall, we celebrated our highest retention and graduation rates ever at nearly 92 percent and 74 percent, respectively. The gains we’ve seen since launching the Division of Student Success five years ago—with retention up 5 percentage points and graduation up 3 percentage points—have bolstered our national reputation as a leader in supporting students and improving outcomes.
Volunteers across the university have been part of Hurricane Helene relief efforts by providing assistance and resources to communities in need.
As a land-grant, we have a covenant with Tennesseans— a trust they have placed in us —that we are here for them.
In a time of growing political divide, Chancellor Donde Plowman and former Governor Bill Haslam penned an op-ed in the Knoxville News Sentinel on how to lead with courage during times of potential uncertainty.
As we settle into a new year, I shared a message with our students, encouraging them to get involved, remain focused on their goals, and be kind and respectful to one another. I hope you’ll take a few moments to watch it here.
Following the University of Tennessee, Knoxville’s first baseball national championship, Chancellor Donde Plowman shared her thoughts on the school’s athletic excellence in an op-ed that ran in a special section of the Knoxville News Sentinel.
As the state’s flagship R1 land-grant university, UT is focused on meeting the needs of our state. That means contributing to and creating knowledge, developing a skilled workforce, and pursuing ambitious projects.
