This year as president of the UT Alumni Association, I’ve asked you to share with me your stories about how education transforms lives. Your stories are powerful reminders that education matters.
Sean Loftin didn’t shake a Magic 8 Ball to be certain of the new direction his career was taking. “Without a doubt,” this Navy veteran and professional photographer felt a different calling. Loftin plans to take his new master’s degree in elementary education from UT Chattanooga and teach in an urban public school.
Sometimes the simplest ideas are the most effective—for instance, praising outstanding high-school juniors for their academic achievements and urging them to go to college in Tennessee. And subtly suggesting they might take a look at UT.
Time for me to focus on another of the “Alumni Three Rs” (remember “Reconnect, Reinvest, and Recruit”)? This issue I want to highlight recruiting, not for any athletic team, but for our academic teams at each campus.
UT is becoming more brand conscious. A statewide marketing effort keyed to the “fUTure” includes billboards, a new television commercial, and print advertising. The branding effort was launched September 19 at a six-way simulcast for UT employees.
Blair Pancake (Knoxville ’05) won the Miss Tennessee title, UT Chattanooga alumnus Leslie Jordan won an Emmy, and we catch up with two Katrina evacuees who were featured in the Summer 2006 issue—that and more in this installment of UTopics.
President John Petersen is in his third year at the UT helm, and he’s making his mark on several fronts. He has made it a point to travel the state and listen to Tennesseans’ opinions. He has brought in fresh talent to fill vacancies on his immediate staff and overseen the writing of a detailed strategic plan for the future of the university.
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