Torchbearer: Summer 1998

Our Students Are Tops

Recognizing students for their accomplishments is probably the most enjoyable thing a University faculty member or administrator does. I am always impressed with the ability and creativity of today's UTK students. At the risk of omitting many worthy individuals, I want to cite a few examples of those who bring honor to our institution as well as themselves.

Travis Wright, a Whittle Scholar from Hamblen County, Tennessee, was one of 20 students named to USA Today's College Academic Team. Last year, Travis was named a Truman Scholar, and the stipend from that award will pay for his graduate education. At the campus Honors Banquet, he was named a Torchbearer, our highest student award.

A team of MBA students won first place in a regional case study competition this spring, competing against schools like the University of North Carolina, Rice, Tulane, Emory, and SMU. Our master of business administration program continues to garner national acclaim. It was ranked 43rd in U.S. News & World Report's most recent survey of graduate business schools. The program's environmental business concentration is in the nation's top 10, according to the World Resources Institute.

The Southeastern Transportation Center recognized UTK's Jason Gregory of Memphis as the region's most outstanding graduate student. The award recognizes leadership, initiative, and professional promise in the field.

Another outstanding student whose name is familiar to most of you, Peyton Manning, continues to make news. This time it's for his off-the-field activities. The $165,000 in scholarship funds he earned for his on-the-field accomplishments–along with other private donations–has gone into the Peyton Manning Scholarship endowment fund. Every year, Manning Scholarships will go to first-year students chosen for academic achievement, leadership, and community service. The first Manning Scholar is Jay Burns, an honor student, senior class vice president, and star athlete from Greeneville (Tenn.) High School.

There is not enough room to tell you about the many students who deserve attention. These examples are, however, representative of the good people here at UTK. Reflecting on students like these reminds all of us in the University community why we are here and what is most important.

If I hear from a lot of those I didn't have the space to mention, I may have the topic for my next column.

Return to Summer 1998 table of contents.





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