Seven seniors are being recognized for their academic achievement, leadership, and outstanding service with the university’s highest student honor: The Torchbearer award.
Each student learned of their selection through a surprise visit by the chancellor or a member of his cabinet in recent weeks. They will receive a Torchbearer medal during the Chancellor’s Honors Banquet on Tuesday, April 16. The banquet is the university’s largest recognition event of the year.
The 2019 Torchbearers:
Jasmine Blue, of Brentwood, Tennessee, is a Chancellor’s Honors student with a major in political science and minor English. As a Leadership Knoxville Scholar, she taught blogging, vlogging, and news media skills as a group mentor at Dogwood Elementary School. Blue has also been involved with Student Alumni Associates, the Clay and Debbie Jones Center for Leadership and Service, First-Year Council, ME4UT, Ignite Serves, and Vols for Christ.
Xavier Greer, of Memphis, Tennessee, is a member of the Haslam College of Business’s Global Leadership Scholars Program. In addition to working with fellow Torchbearer Jack Larimer on the Boys 2 Leaders initiative, Greer has served as an orientation leader, president of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc., and a member of Minority Enhancement for UT. He is also heavy involved with the Student Government Association (SGA) as a senator representing the Haslam College of Business, and he is a member of Student Alumni Associates and Leadership Knoxville Scholars. After graduation, he will work for Ernst & Young.
Jack Larimer, of Brentwood, Tennessee, is a Haslam Scholar double majoring in economics and political science. Through the Knoxville Leadership Foundation, Larimer initiated Boys 2 Leaders—a leadership and development afterschool program—to provide positive role models for underprivileged boys in Knoxville, alongside fellow student Xavier Greer. Additionally, Larimer has been involved with Student Alumni Associates, Leadership Knoxville Scholars and Emerging Leaders, and SGA.
Elizabeth Longmire, of Corryton, Tennessee, is a journalism and electronic media major. She is Panhellenic president, and has participated in high-level conversations with university officials, helping to make needed changes within the Panhellenic community to promote student safety. She has also been active in SGA, Student Alumni Associates, Center for Leadership and Service, and her sorority, Delta Zeta.
Maddie Stephens, of Knoxville, is a Chancellor’s Honors student majoring in English and minoring in leadership studies. She has been the student services director for SGA, a Welcome Week leader, and an Ignite Serves team leader. She is also the creator of a “Guide to Torchbearer Tuesdays.” Stephens has been active in sustainability and campus recycling efforts, including the Mug Project, Earth Day, and Recycle Mania events.
Mickayla Stogsdill, of Knoxville, is a Chancellor’s Honors Program student majoring in public administration and Russian studies. As a Baker Scholar and Baker Ambassador, she has assisted in numerous public initiatives and events, including a voter education drive. She is also part of the award-winning UT Debate Team.
Chase Toth, of Knoxville, is a Chancellor’s Honors Program student majoring in chemical engineering. As a student coordinator for the VOLbreaks Program, Toth has led groups of his peers on trips to engage in hands-on, direct service while exploring the root causes of homelessness and poverty, along with sustainability practices. He also served as an Ignite team leader and student director, and a member of the Leadership Knoxville Scholars program.
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CONTACT:
Amy Blakely (865-974-5034, ablakely@utk.edu)