The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, will commemorate Veterans Day with a series of events to honor those who have served or are currently serving in the U.S. armed forces.
“Veterans are integral to our campus community, and as a university rooted in the Volunteer spirit, we’re committed to strengthening our support for veterans and military-connected students,” said Amber Williams, vice provost for student success. “Our top priority is to ensure that every scholar has the resources they need to succeed, and serving those who have served our country is a privilege. We’re honored to celebrate our veterans throughout the month with campus-wide events and opportunities for networking and community-building.”
Throughout November, UT’s Army ROTC, Air Force ROTC, Army ROTC Alumni Council, Athletics, Division of Student Success, Pride of the Southland Band and Veterans Success Center will organize and join activities to show appreciation to veterans in the greater Vol community.
Paint the Rock
Thursday, Nov. 7, 5:30 p.m.
Army and Air Force ROTC senior cadets will paint the Rock to honor veterans.
Army and Air Force ROTC Veterans Run
Friday, Nov. 8, 5:45-7 a.m.
UT’s Army and Air Force ROTC will conduct a run to recognize and thank those who have served. The run starts at the Rock and ends at the Anderson Training Center. All veterans on campus are invited to participate.
Wreath Laying Ceremony
Sunday, Nov. 10, 2 p.m.
The Army ROTC Alumni Council will lay a wreath in memory of military veterans at the Armed Forces Veterans Memorial, located on the Johnson-Ward Pedestrian Walkway near Brown Hall. Army ROTC cadets will read the 367 names inscribed on the memorial at 1:15 p.m. Parking is available behind the Natalie L. Haslam Music Center on Volunteer Boulevard.
Tennesseans and War Monday, Nov. 11, 9-11 a.m., Veterans Success Center (Hodges Library Room G020)
Sponsored by the College of Arts and Sciences’ Center for the Study of Tennesseans and War in partnership with the Veterans Success Center, Tennesseans and War will honor the lives and military service of people in the region. The event is open to the campus community and will showcase interviews with Tennessee veterans from World War II up to the present day along with a display of military artifacts. Light refreshments will be provided.
Campus-wide Green Zone Training
Monday, Nov. 11, 9:30 a.m., Toyota Auditorium, Howard H. Baker Jr. School of Public Policy and Public Affairs
Green Zone training educates faculty and staff about student veterans, who they are, and their strengths and challenges, as well as military education benefits and support services on campus. Advance registration is requested.
Knoxville Veterans Day Parade
Monday, Nov. 11, 10:40 a.m., starting at the Knoxville Civic Auditorium and Coliseum
UT Army and Air Force ROTC cadets will provide the color guard for Knoxville’s 99th Veterans Day Parade, hosted by American Legion Post 2.
Lady Vol Hoops Salute to Service
Tuesday, Nov. 12, 6:30 p.m., Thompson-Boling Arena at Food City Center
Current military members and veterans who present their military ID or DD Form 214 at the gate will receive complimentary admission for themselves and immediate family members to the Lady Vols basketball game against Middle Tennessee State University.
Veteran Networking
Wednesday, Nov. 13, 4 p.m., Veterans Success Center (Hodges Library Room G020)
In this networking event, student veterans can learn more about job and internship opportunities from a wide variety of employers.
Campus Veterans Appreciation Celebration
Thursday, Nov. 14, 5-7 p.m., Neyland Stadium Social Deck (rain site: Tennessee Terrace)
UT military faculty, staff and students — including veterans, those currently serving on active duty, and members of the National Guard, Reserves, and ROTC — and their families are invited to a dinner and social event in their honor. Advance registration is required.
Vol Hoops Salute to Service
Sunday, Nov. 17, 3 p.m., Thompson-Boling Arena at Food City Center
Current military members and veterans who present their military ID or DD Form 214 at the gate will receive complimentary admission for themselves and immediate family members (up to six tickets) for the men’s basketball game against Austin Peay State University.
Volleyball Salute to Service
Friday, Nov. 22, 6:30 p.m., Thompson-Boling Arena at Food City Center
Current military members and veterans who present their military ID or DD Form 214 at the gate will receive complimentary admission for themselves and immediate family members to the Lady Vols volleyball game against Arkansas.
Football Salute to Service
Saturday, Nov. 23, 1 p.m., Neyland Stadium
Representation from UT’s Army and Air Force ROTC programs will join other branches of the military in the color guard to lead the Vol Walk and present the nation’s colors during the playing of the national anthem for the football game against the University of Texas at El Paso.
The 2024 inductees to the UT Knoxville Army ROTC Hall of Fame will be recognized during the first quarter.
At halftime, U.S. Army Col. Travis McIntosh, the deputy commanding officer for support for the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) from Fort Campbell, Kentucky, will host a swearing-in ceremony for select Army and Air Force ROTC cadets.
Following the ceremony, the Pride of the Southland Band will dedicate their halftime performance to service members and recognize UT students who are recipients of the Vols of Honor scholarship. Vols of Honor, is a first-of-its kind partnership with the Folds of Honor Foundation. UT is proud to be the only university in the country to join Folds of Honor in its mission to provide academic scholarships to the spouses and children of America’s fallen or disabled service members and first responders. The band’s performance will feature patriotic music in tribute to past, present and future American heroes.
Volleyball Salute to Service
Sunday, Nov. 24, 2 p.m., Thompson-Boling Arena at Food City Center
Current military members and veterans who present their military ID or DD Form 214 at the gate will receive complimentary admission for themselves and immediate family members to the Lady Vols volleyball game against South Carolina.
About UT’s military veteran community
This fall, the university welcomed more than 1,400 student veterans and military-connected students. Additionally, more than 370 faculty and staff members are military veterans, and UT boasts more than 6,400 alumni who have served.
In the U.S. News & World Report 2025 Best Colleges Report, UT ranks 51st among public institutions as a best college for veterans. Recently the Division of Student Success announced the establishment of the new Office of Veteran Benefits Administration in response to the significant growth over the past four years of veterans and military-connected students on campus. UT is also certified as a Tennessee VETS campus.
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MEDIA CONTACT:
Cindi King (865-974-0937, cking126@utk.edu)