KNOXVILLE — Named for the University of Tennessee’s famed football coach, Gen. Robert R. Neyland, the Neyland scholarship is one of the university’s most prestigious honors. Recipients are chosen for outstanding academic achievement and leadership skills.
This year’s Neyland Scholars were recognized on Shields Watkins field during the annual Orange and White game March 31. The recipients also were honored at an awards luncheon hosted by the East Tennessee Chapter of the National Football Foundation.
Neyland’s son, Robert R. Neyland Jr., was on hand at both events to represent the Neyland family and to congratulate the students on their accomplishments.
Following are the 2006-07 scholars who were recognized:
–Jason Alfrey, Knoxville, is a junior majoring in Mechanical Engineering.
–Anna Armstrong, Germantown, Tenn., is a freshman majoring in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology.
–Jennifer Buntin, Ripley, Tenn., is a sophomore and has a dual major in Logistics, International Business Collateral and Philosophy.
–David Crenshaw, Nashville, Tenn., is a sophomore majoring in Finance.
–Rebecca Davis, Franklin, Tenn., is a senior majoring in Nutrition.
–Soumyo Dutta, Goodlettsville, Tenn., is a junior majoring in Mechanical Engineering.
–Natalie Franklin, Smyrna, Tenn., is a freshman majoring in Nursing.
–Lindsay George, Oak Ridge, Tenn., is a senior majoring in Nutrition.
–Caroline Glyn Horner, Brentwood, Tenn., is a junior majoring in Biochemistry and Cellular Microbiology.
–Andrew Jackson, Seymour, Tenn., is a freshman majoring in Global Studies.
–Nick Jones, McMinnville, Tenn., is a sophomore majoring in Computer Engineering.
–Christopher Martin, Clarksville, Tenn., is a junior majoring in Literature, Philosophy and Anthropology.
–Jenna McKinnie, Cookeville, Tenn., is a freshman majoring in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology.
–Stuart Saylor, Franklin, Tenn., is a senior majoring in Political Science.
–Emily Steffan, Memphis, Tenn., is a junior majoring in History and Global Studies.
–Jamie Troupe, Tullahoma, Tenn., is a sophomore majoring in Animal Behavior.
–Lee Troupe, Clarksville, Tennessee, is a freshman majoring in Computer Science.
–Paige Utley, Tullahoma, Tenn., is a senior majoring in Special Education.
–Daniel Wells, Memphis, Tenn., is a junior majoring in Biomedical Engineering.
–John Whittingham, Oak Ridge, Tenn., is a freshman majoring in Math and Physics.
–Beth Wilson, Strawberry Plains, Tenn., is a senior majoring in College Scholars.
–Laura Wodowski, Germantown, Tenn., is a freshman majoring in Ecology.
Neyland initiated the first plan for athletics benefactors to demonstrate their support in UT’s academic programs through scholarships.
Following his death in 1962, UT President Andy Holt launched a nationwide campaign to raise $100,000 to establish the Robert R. Neyland Scholarship Fund. In October 1962, at halftime of the UT-Alabama football game, more than $10,000 was collected in 15 minutes at the newly-named Neyland Stadium and by the end of fall 1962, more than $65,000 had been committed to the fund.
The first Neyland Scholarships were awarded in 1963 and as of spring 2007, the Neyland Scholarship Endowment Fund had reached $4.6 million dollars. Since its inception, 184 UT students have received the prestigious scholarship.
—
Contacts:
Eric Haag, UT Development Office, (865) 974-2115 or ehaag@utk.edu
Beth Gladden, media relations, (865) 974-9008 or beth.gladden@tennessee.edu