KNOXVILLE—More than 200 gift tags are being hung all over the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, campus to celebrate “Thank A Giver” (TAG) day on Friday, April 20. The event celebrates the success of the $1 billion Campaign for Tennessee.
The most ambitious fund-raising effort in the university’s history, the campaign raised $1.3 billion over six years for the statewide system, placing UT in an elite group of less than thirty universities to achieve this goal. More than $860 million is dedicated to UT Knoxville programs.
“The generosity of more than 87,000 alumni and friends enhances our educational mission and improves the experience for our students, faculty, staff, alumni, friends and fans,” said Chancellor Jimmy G. Cheek. “Every gift helps move us further along in our journey to become a Top 25 public research institution.”
The magnetic orange and white gift tags—some as large as 10 feet tall or wide—are being affixed to sixteen new and renovated facilities across the five hundred and fifty acre campus. The large tags can be seen on the Howard H. Baker Center Jr. for Public Policy, the James A. Haslam II Business Building, Neyland Stadium, Pratt Pavilion, Regal Soccer Stadium, the Min H. Kao Electrical Engineering and Computer Science Building and Sherri Parker Lee Stadium, to name just a few.
Friday’s event will include more than 100 students who will be canvassing campus handing out stickers that say “Thank A Giver” and Moon Pies—that, yes, have been graciously donated.
By wearing the sticker, those on Rocky Top recognize how they have benefited from donations through the use of academic buildings, athletic facilities, professorships, scholarships and endowments made possible by alumni and friends.
The tags create a visual reminder of donors’ generosity but also tell a story of positive change to the physical landscape of the university, its caliber of education, and the lives of students and faculty, said Scott Rabenold, vice chancellor of development and alumni affairs.
“We have had students, faculty, staff, retirees, alumni, and friends give what they can so that others can have the experiences they’ve had and so that the university can continue to be a great place to learn, work and play,” Rabenold said.
For the UT system, the Campaign for Tennessee raised $1.3 billion. For UT Knoxville, the Campaign for Tennessee
- Raised $860 million
- Gifts came from 87,266 donors
- Gifts ranged from $1 to $50 million
- $60 million came from UT faculty and staff
The tags will stay up through the end of the semester. To view a list of the buildings with gift tags and an interactive map, visit www.utk.edu/maps, and click the checkbox for Campaign for Tennessee in right column and also the ‘detailed info’ link.
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C O N T A C T :
Whitney Heins (865-974-5460, wheins@utk.edu)
Beth Gladden (865-974-9008, beth.gladden@tennessee.edu)