The University of Tennessee, Knoxville’s graduating Haslam Leadership Scholars cohort formally established the “2022 Haslam Leadership Scholars Legacy Scholarship Endowment” for future students shortly before spring commencement.
News & Noteworthy
Haslam Leadership Scholars To Welcome 16 First-Year Students
This fall, the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, will welcome 16 first-year students as the 2026 class of Haslam Leadership Scholars. Established in 2008 with a gift from Jimmy and Dee Haslam and Jim and Natalie Haslam, the scholarship program honors the Haslam family’s legacy of developing community-minded and intellectually gifted young leaders. The program’s mission is to attract, cultivate and retain future Tennessee leaders.
UT Celebrates 30 Years of Annual Undergraduate Research Exhibition
Members of the UT community explore the Exhibition for Undergraduate Research & Creative Achievement (EURēCA) held in the Student Union on April 7, 2026.
The Exhibition of Undergraduate Research and Creative Achievement (EURēCA) celebrated its 30th anniversary as the University of Tennessee, Knoxville’s premier undergraduate project showcase on April 7, 2026.
Coordinated by the Office of Undergraduate Research and Fellowships (OURF), the 2026 EURēCA united 12 colleges and 61 departments, demonstrating the intellectual connectivity found within the academic community at UT. The colleges and departments were represented by 788 undergraduate students, each sharing their work through 552 research and creative projects.
UT Student Awarded Prestigious Udall Scholarship
Evelyn Many
Evelyn Many, a junior at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, has been awarded the Udall Scholarship. This highly selective scholarship identifies future leaders in environmental, Tribal public policy, and health care fields.
Many, one of 65 recipients of this year’s award, is the first UT student to receive the scholarship since 2021.
UT Student Named 2026 Truman Scholar
Julia Dieter (center) posed for a group photo with Amber Williams, senior vice provost for Student Success, Marianne Wanamaker, dean of the Howard H. Baker School of Public Policy and Public Affairs, and Pat Akos, associate vice provost and executive director of University Honors
University of Tennessee, Knoxville, junior Julia Dieter of Signal Mountain, Tennessee, has been selected as a 2026 Truman Scholar. The prestigious award recognizes students with outstanding leadership potential, a commitment to a career in government or the nonprofit sector and academic excellence. Chosen from more than 780 candidates nationwide, Dieter is one of 55 students in this year’s class of scholars.
Three Students Receive 2026 Boren Awards to Study Abroad
Ayres Hall
Three University of Tennessee, Knoxville, students have received Boren Scholarships from the National Security Education Program. The awards will empower Anabelle Ballard, Cole Scheibelein and Kyra Wilson to immerse themselves in languages and cultures abroad, opening doors to enriching experiences that reflect UT’s commitment to fostering global perspectives and academic excellence.
Two Students Awarded 2026-27 Goldwater Scholarships
UT scientist preparing a sample in a lab.
University of Tennessee, Knoxville, juniors Samuel Barbour and Jai Mehta have been awarded Goldwater Scholarships for the 2026-27 academic year. From an estimated pool of 1,485 nominees representing 482 academic institutions, Barbour and Mehta were chosen for their exceptional promise in STEM research.
UT Earns Gold Ranking as a Military Friendly School
Student veteran leader Kevin Ho and his service dog, Margie, walk in the 2025 UT Homecoming parade.
The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, has been awarded a Gold ranking as a Military Friendly School by the organization Military Friendly in recognition of its commitment to creating meaningful education pathways for the military community. The university was also named a Military Spouse Friendly School in recognition of its academic and job placement support for military spouses.
With the Gold designation, the university ranks among the nation’s top institutions for assisting student veterans and military-connected students.
UT Junior Named Truman Scholarship Finalist
The Office of Undergraduate Research & Fellowships at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville has announced that junior Julia Dieter is a finalist for the prestigious and highly competitive Truman Scholarship. She is one of 198 finalists selected from a pool of 781 applicants representing 305 institutions nationwide.
University Honors Adds Fourth Full-time Faculty Member for Chancellor’s Honors Program
The Division of Student Success at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, welcomes John Lacey to the University Honors faculty, marking the program’s fourth full-time faculty hire to the Chancellor’s Honors Program (CHP).