The University of Tennessee, Knoxville’s Haslam College of Business is kicking off an ambitious campaign to raise $175 million as the college continues to grow as a driving force in Tennessee’s economic well-being.
The official announcement will be made tonight as part of the college’s Alumni Awards Gala. Founder and Executive Chairman of Radio Systems and current Tennessee Commissioner of Economic and Community Development Randy Boyd is chairing the Investing in the Journey to the Top 25 campaign.
“Investing in the Haslam College of Business will improve communities across the state for generations to come,” said Boyd. “By teaching young people to be entrepreneurs and innovators, we’ll create opportunities and businesses in Tennessee, expanding our tax base, and improve educational opportunities in the process.”
Haslam College of Business Dean and Stokely Foundation Leadership Chair Stephen Mangum said the effort is one of the most significant business school campaigns in the nation.
“With more than 40,000 alumni, our commitment to helping each student reach his or her full potential is just as strong as it has been throughout our hundred-year history,” said Mangum. “We are working diligently to recognize a positive return for every dollar that is invested in our college.”
The college began raising funds in recognition of its centennial anniversary, which was celebrated throughout 2014. Approximately $125 million has been raised toward the $175 million goal.
Through private support, the college seeks to boost its national reputation by attracting and retaining internationally regarded faculty and expanding its access mission by providing more support for students from low-income households. Plans also include expanding the college’s living and learning communities for undergraduates and growing its graduate programs by providing more funds to attract top master’s and doctoral students.
“Our journey to the Top 25 provides us with opportunities to further engage our alumni and friends in becoming an even better university,” said Chancellor Jimmy G. Cheek. “The Haslam College of Business is well on its way to becoming one of our nation’s top business schools. These graduates go on to work in well-paying jobs, and many choose to stay in Tennessee. As a university, we want to continue to offer businesses here and around the world the very best graduates.”
The college has more than 4,200 undergraduates and 400 graduate students. More than 20 percent of UT’s undergraduates come from the Haslam College of Business.
In 2014, the college became the university’s first named college after a historic $50 million gift from the family of James A. Haslam II (’52). Haslam is a former vice chair of the UT Board of Trustees and a UT distinguished alumnus. A former Vol football captain, he founded the company now known as Pilot Flying J.
For more information on the Investing in the Journey to the Top 25 campaign, visit haslam.utk.edu/journey.
For more information about the Haslam College of Business, visit haslam.utk.edu.
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CONTACT:
Katie Bahr (865-974-3589, katiebahr@utk.edu)
Tyra Haag (865-974-5460, tyra.haag@tennessee.edu)