The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, celebrated the achievements of its students, faculty and staff at the annual Academic Honors Banquet, hosted by the Office of the Provost on April 21, and the Chancellor’s Honors Banquet, held April 29.
Awards presented at the two banquets honor individuals who embody the Volunteer spirit by excelling in research and creative work, significantly impacting campus culture and demonstrating outstanding leadership and service to UT and the broader community.
“The exceptional students, faculty and staff recognized this year embody what it means to be a Volunteer,” said Chancellor Donde Plowman. “They understand what it means to step forward in leadership and service and are committed to making our campus and our community better. I’m grateful for all their contributions.”
“These honorees represent the academic excellence that defines UT,” said Provost and Senior Vice Chancellor John Zomchick. “Their work strengthens our university at every level — enriching our students’ experiences, advancing knowledge and making a meaningful impact far beyond campus.”
2025 Torchbearers
Ten seniors were named Torchbearers, UT’s highest honor for undergraduates, in recognition of their academic achievements and outstanding commitment to the university and Knoxville community.
They are Izzy Alexander of Fishers, Indiana, studying English with a rhetoric and writing concentration and honors and world languages and cultures with a German concentration, and minoring in interdisciplinary programs with a linguistics concentration; Luke Bibee of Knoxville, majoring in business administration with a concentration in sales; Dante Grayson of McMinnville, Tennessee, studying political science and public policy and administration; Griffin Hadley of Carmel, Indiana, majoring in journalism and media and minoring in advertising and public relations and in leadership studies; Kamah Karyeah of Clarksville, Tennessee, studying social work; Jahmai Mashack of Fontana, California, who graduated in December 2024 with a degree in psychology and a minor in sociology; Kate McCarville of Springfield, Missouri, studying therapeutic recreation and psychology with a minor in leadership studies; Tyler Myers of Brentwood, Tennessee, majoring in biological sciences and neuroscience and minoring in public health and chemistry; Genesis Nolan of Dayton, Ohio, studying animal science with a bioscience concentration and a minor in entomology and plant pathology; and Jada Walker of Ooltewah, Tennessee, majoring in sport management with a double minor in Spanish and business administration.
More than 700 students have been named Torchbearers since the award’s inception in 1931.
Top Faculty Awards
Macebearer: Suzanne Lenhart, Chancellor’s Professor and James R. Cox Professor of Mathematics, College of Arts and Sciences
Suzanne Lenhart has been named the 2025 Macebearer. Macebearer is the university’s highest faculty honor, recognizing a distinguished career and exemplary service to students, scholarship and society.
Lenhart joined UT as an assistant professor in 1981, rising through the ranks to be named James R. Cox Professor in 2016. Her research career, which includes 266 published papers in the areas of differential equations and mathematical biology, has contributed to drug strategies for HIV treatment and recommendations for updating CPR chest pressure patterns. Her work has been applied to address environmental issues such as black bear population control, fishery maintenance and gypsy moth management. She co-founded the National Institute for Mathematical and Biological Synthesis at UT in 2008 and served as the institute’s associate director for education and outreach for 12 years.
“I love working at UT, and this award is a special honor that recognizes the areas of teaching, mentoring, research and outreach,” Lenhart said. “The UT community has provided me with a variety of mentors, collaborators and opportunities to succeed in those areas.”
Alexander Prize: Michael Olson, Professor of Psychology, College of Arts and Sciences
Michael Olson is the 2025 recipient of the Alexander Prize, which is awarded to a faculty member who is an exceptional undergraduate teacher and distinguished scholar.
Olson joined UT in 2004 after receiving his doctorate in social psychology from Indiana University. In his research lab, he leads investigations that examine attitude formation and the differences between what people say they believe and what they actually think or feel, particularly around the topics of prejudice, intergroup relations, personal relationships and suicide. The lab studies how people evaluate objects in their environment without their awareness or intent, along with how prejudice develops, how it is detected and how it manifests in behavior.
Olson’s interest in relationships is reflected in his thoughts on being a part of the UT community. “Being a Volunteer means being good to each other despite differences and being generous with our time, our support and our willingness to engage with other perspectives,” he said.
Thomas Jefferson Prize: Hillary Herndon, Professor of Viola, Natalie L. Haslam College of Music
Hillary Herndon is the 2025 recipient of the Thomas Jefferson Prize, which honors a faculty member who demonstrates excellence in research and creative activity.
Herndon, who holds degrees from Eastman School of Music and The Juilliard School, has earned a national reputation as a brilliant violist, creative programmer and insightful teacher. She has been heard on NPR and PBS, collaborated with some of the world’s foremost artists, and published papers in American String Teacher and The Journal of the American Viola Society. She is the co-founder of Mosaic Music Publications, which has released a series of graded anthologies for string students by composers from underrepresented demographics.
Herndon’s recent appearances include performances and master classes at Carnegie Hall, the Sibelius Academy in Finland, Juilliard, Eastman, the University of Michigan and the International Viola Congress. In 2024, she was named the executive director of the Sewanee Summer Music Festival.
“To me, being a Volunteer means asking how we can help when seeing an area of need,” Herndon said. “One of the things I appreciate most about being at the College of Music is the support to help tackle new projects no matter how far outside the traditional way of doing things they may be.”
L. R. Hesler Award for Excellence in Teaching and Service: Jerome Grant, Professor of Entomology and Plant Pathology, Herbert College of Agriculture
Jerome Grant is the 2025 recipient of the L. R. Hesler Award for Excellence in Teaching and Service. Hesler, who served as the dean of the College of Arts and Sciences for many years, was known for his exceptional teaching abilities and service to the university community.
Grant joined UT in 1985 after receiving his doctorate in plant sciences from Clemson University. He teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in entomology and applied insect ecology, has served as graduate major advisor for more than 50 master’s and doctoral students, and hires numerous undergraduate students in his lab to enhance their educational experience through research.
Grant has developed an entomology outreach program that provides hands-on educational experiences for people of all ages. He leads the Integrated Pest Management/Biological Control Research Laboratory, where his research focuses on invasive insects and weeds and integrating sustainable, environmentally friendly tactics into management programs. As state survey coordinator, he is responsible for Tennessee’s Cooperative Agriculture Pest Survey, a first line of biosecurity against invasive insects.
“As a native East Tennessean, I take great pride in being a Volunteer and seeking ways to make a positive impact in the lives of others,” Grant said. “UT has afforded me the opportunity and privilege to work with outstanding students, staff and faculty, as well as share my discipline with the general public, in ways I never imagined.”
Top Staff Award
Volunteer Spirit Award: Connie Walden, Director of Records and Strategic Planning in Human Resources
Connie Walden is the 2025 recipient of the Volunteer Spirit Award. The award is the highest honor available to a UT staff member and recognizes an individual who has gone above and beyond the expectations of their professional role to serve the university community.
Walden’s UT career began in 1979 when she joined what was then known as the Personnel Department (later renamed Human Resources). Her first role in the department was on the employment (now recruitment) team, and she moved to the records team in 1987. She was promoted to her current role in 2013. In recommending her for the award, nominators praised her institutional knowledge, collaborative spirit, problem-solving ability and can-do attitude.
Walden said, “To me, the Volunteer spirit means reaching out to assist others and giving your all for Tennessee. I feel so privileged to be part of our wonderful human resources staff here at UT.”
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MEDIA CONTACT:
Stacy Estep (865-974-8304, sestep3@utk.edu)