Bill Bass, founder of the Forensic Anthropology Center and the outdoor Anthropological Research Facility known as the Body Farm, received a new recognition on Thursday: the Strong Hall atrium will now bear his name.
“After having spent over 40 years working in the offices of South Stadium Hall, having this space named after me, in this beautiful brand-new building is such a special thing,” said Bass.
The honor was possible thanks to a generous gift from Joseph and Rebecca Haskins.
Joseph Haskins is a retired anesthesiologist and former chairman, CEO, and president of Capital Bank. He received his undergraduate degree in anthropology from UT and his medical degree from the University of Tennessee College of Medicine. He has served as a volunteer in a variety of capacities at UT for more than 20 years, including the UT Knoxville Alumni Board Awards Committee, Alumni Board Membership Committee, Alumni Board Public Relations Committee, and the Alumni Association. He has also served on the UT Chattanooga College of Business Dean’s Advisory Board. He currently serves on the College of Arts and Sciences’ Dean’s Advisory Board at UT Knoxville.
“Dr. Bass put the UT anthropology department on the map. But before all of that, he was a professor, an excellent teacher who helped students like myself to achieve their career goals. For that I’m very grateful,” said Haskins, who took several of Bass’s classes in the 1970s.
Theresa Lee, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, expressed her gratitude to the Haskins and said their donation will also support faculty research in both the Forensic Anthropology program and the anthropology department as a whole. “Mr. Haskins spent a lot of time thinking about the strategic impact of his gift. His contribution will help our anthropology faculty have the resources they need to continue their excellent world-class work,” she said.
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CONTACT:
Andrea Schneibel (865-974-3993, andrea.schneibel@utk.edu)