Savannah Metheny, a 2020 UT Martin animal science graduate, rebuilt a 17-hand tall, fully articulated equine skeleton named Ron to use as a teaching model in animal science courses. With the help of her mentor, Diana Watson, veterinary sciences lecturer, Metheny disassembled, cleaned and reconstructed the skeleton. Through creative measures, his roughly 200 bones are held together with high-tensile wire, fishing line, glue, epoxy, threaded rods, a little bit of tape and, according to Watson, a few prayers. Metheny will attend the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine in the fall.
UT Martin Exceeds Captain’s Challenge Goal
UT Martin exceeded its $325,000 fundraising goal for the sixth annual Captain’s Challenge one-day fundraiser in less than 24 hours on June 3. By the end of the day, more than $401,000 was donated to UT Martin by alumni, faculty, staff, students and the community.
Graduation Rate Increases
UT Martin’s four-year graduation rate has increased 10.8 percent since proposing Soar in Four, the tuition model that encourages students to take at least 15 hours per semester to graduate in four years. The “Soar in Four” tuition program began in the fall 2016 semester and saw its first four-year graduating class May 2.
UT Martin Community Aids in COVID-19 Relief Efforts
UT Martin partnered with the Tennessee Higher Education Commission and Tennessee Emergency Management Agency to create more than 1,300 3D printed face shields for Tennessee COVID-19 relief aid. Many health-care providers in West Tennessee, including the West Tennessee Healthcare Volunteer Hospital in Martin and the Reelfoot Rural Ministries nonprofit organization, purchased the shields to protect medical personnel in the region. The printers were operated by faculty, staff and students who all agreed it was rewarding knowing that they made a difference for Tennessee medical professionals fighting COVID-19.
