It’s been a year of remarkable momentum for the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Take a look back at some of the most memorable moments and photos of 2025.
January
The Tickle College of Engineering was awarded a $20 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy for nuclear fusion research. Eight students were awarded Gilman scholarships to study abroad by the U.S. Department of State. The McClung Museum of Natural History and Culture opened a new exhibition, “Homelands: Connecting to Mounds Through Native Art,” representing the museum’s most significant renovation in more than 20 years.
February
More than 636 student, faculty and staff volunteers collectively spent more than 2,000 hours as part of the university’s annual MLK Jr. Days of Service. Ten students from the Big Orange Combine had the opportunity to work behind the scenes at Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans. Five faculty-led research projects were selected to receive $50,000 each from the Chancellor’s Innovation Fund. For the seventh consecutive year, UT was named a Fulbright Top Producing Institution for student grants. FIFA President Gianni Infantino visited UT’s innovative turf research and development facility and praised the university’s groundbreaking efforts to prepare the best possible pitches for the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 and FIFA World Cup 26. Seven faculty members were named among the world’s most cited researchers for 2024.
March
Ten seniors and recent graduates were named Torchbearers, UT’s highest honor for undergraduate students. Through the Jones Center for Leadership and Service’s VOLbreaks program, 40 students collectively completed over 1,100 hours of community service during spring break. Four faculty members were elected 2024 Fellows of the American Association for the Advancement of Science.
April
Outstanding students, faculty and staff were recognized at the annual Academic Honors Banquet and Chancellor’s Honor Banquet. Leadership from UT, Volkswagen Group of America and Oak Ridge National Laboratory celebrated more than a decade of collaboration and the fifth anniversary of the Volkswagen Innovation Hub Knoxville. A delegation from Arizona State University joined leadership at UT to celebrate the two institutions’ digital learning partnership. Leaders gathered to celebrate the groundbreaking of the new Student Success Building. Three students were awarded 2025-26 Goldwater Scholarships, the nation’s most prestigious undergraduate STEM scholarship.
May
Military Friendly awarded UT a Silver ranking as a Military Friendly School in recognition of the university’s ongoing efforts assisting student veterans and military-connected students. The Class of 2025 gathered for Torch Night: A Farewell to Thee, one of UT’s oldest traditions. Eight commencement ceremonies were held May 15-17, welcoming more than 6,200 graduates into UT’s alumni family. The graduating class represents 90 counties across Tennessee and includes 817 first-generation college students, 114 student veterans and 53 newly commissioned ROTC cadets. UT and Consolidated Nuclear Security, which manages and operates the Y-12 National Security Complex, signed an agreement that includes collaboration on a National Security Prototype Center in Oak Ridge.
June
The Today show visited Rocky Top and featured Distinguished Professor of Turfgrass Science and Management John Sorochan in a segment highlighting UT’s pivotal role in preparing the pitches for the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 and FIFA World Cup 26. Ten students and recent alumni were awarded Fulbright U.S. Student Grants for the 2025-26 academic year. Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development Commissioner Stuart McWhorter visited UT to learn how its research benefits the state.
July
The Tickle College of Engineering announced its participation in a groundbreaking statewide initiative to introduce nuclear energy concepts to students in kindergarten through second grade. More than 70,000 donors contributed a record-breaking $428 million in support of the university during the 2024-25 fiscal year. The Baker School of Public Policy and Public Affairs announced the establishment of the Howard H. Baker Jr. Award for Public Service, which recognizes an exceptional young national leader whose work embodies a deep commitment to public service, meaningful civic engagement and the advancement of democracy. Five faculty members were selected to receive Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program awards for the 2025-26 academic year.
August
The university launched a multiyear initiative to recruit world-renowned faculty across academic disciplines. As the fall semester kicked off, total enrollment surpassed 40,000—a new record—including 7,100 first-year students. Leaders gathered to dedicate the new Poplar and Beacon residence halls. The College of Nursing announced its extended partnership with the University of Tennessee Medical Center and dedicated the new UT Medical Nursing Building. Peyton Manning honored the newest recipients of the Peyton Manning Scholarship. Manning also gave over $4 million to the College of Communication and Information to honor two of his academic mentors. The university premiered a new halftime spot highlighting why there’s never been a better time to be a Volunteer.
September
Leaders from UT and UT Medical Center celebrated the opening of the Center for Precision Health. University leaders broke ground for construction of the new Charles and Julie Wharton Chemistry Building. University leadership, community partners, faculty, staff and students gathered for the official dedication of the newly named Winston College of Law and Frank Winston Law Building following the Bill Gatton Foundation’s $32.5 million gift honoring the late Frank Winston, an alumnus of the college and former Tennessee lawmaker. In partnership with Gallup, UT hosted its first Strengths Day to highlight its use of CliftonStrengths, a talent assessment meant to enhance well-being and empower students, faculty and staff. In her seventh annual Flagship Address, Chancellor Donde Plowman highlighted UT’s remarkable momentum, its unwavering commitment to students and the state, and her vision for taking the university to the next level. Members of Army ROTC and Air Force ROTC programs participated in the annual 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb to honor fallen first responders.
October
Three faculty members received National Science Foundation CAREER awards to advance research in pharmaceutical drug design, phishing detectors and quantum technology. Four faculty members were selected to serve as 2025-26 Southeastern Conference Academic Leadership Development Program Fellows. The U.S. Department of Education awarded over $2 million to the Institute of American Civics to expand the institute’s K-12 civics outreach. The UT Board of Trustees approved the university’s plans to lease additional office space on Sutherland Avenue for administrative units, part of a strategic plan to support growth and allocate space on campus for student-focused services. Pulitzer Prize and National Humanities Medal recipient Isabel Wilkerson delivered the 10th annual Mossman Distinguished Lecture.
November
This year’s Homecoming theme was Torchbearers and Trailblazers, with UT Space Institute graduate and former astronaut Butch Wilmore serving as parade grand marshal. Vol Dining celebrated the grand opening of Cumberland Food Hall. University leadership, community partners, faculty, staff, alumni and students gathered to dedicate the new Jenny Boyd Theatre. The campus community commemorated Veterans Day with a series of events recognizing those who have served or are currently serving in the U.S. armed forces — including sophomore Kevin Ho, who was named 2025 Veteran of the Year in Higher Education by Military Friendly. On the university’s annual day of giving, Big Orange Give, more than 7,700 alumni and donors contributed more than $2.6 million, exceeding the event’s $2.5 million goal.
December
Nearly 2,100 graduates were welcomed into the UT alumni family during fall commencement Dec. 12. The university awarded approximately 1,337 undergraduate degrees and 739 graduate degrees and certificates. Seven cadets from Army ROTC and two from Air Force ROTC were commissioned as second lieutenants in the U.S. armed forces.
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MEDIA CONTACT:
Stacy Estep (865-974-8304, sestep3@utk.edu)