Winter 2018

Difficulties arrive in everyone’s life—usually at the most prosaic of times. The accident that brings paralysis. The cancer diagnosis. The loss of hearing and sight. Navigating the world through an autistic lens. Fleeing from war.

As this magazine begins a new century as the family album for the University of Tennessee and its alumni, we share stories of how people rise to meet the challenges laid down in their lives. We also share how the University of Tennessee is helping veterans transition from regimented military life to the less-structured academic environment and how a researcher moved from the Middle East to the United States to help create more resilient crops for a changing climate. Whether we are currently facing down rising storm winds or when they visit in the future, let us, too, rise. In rising, let us soar.

The Long Walk

After his father was diagnosed with an incurable cancer, he decided to take action that covered more than 2,100 miles.…

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David Platillero onstage at the Tennessee Theatre in Knoxville

A Broken Life Becomes Art

After a car hit him while he rode his bicycle, he thought his dreams of a wife, family and music—along…

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Jordan Harris stands in the center of the pedestrian walkway in front of Hodges Library in Knoxville

The Next Mission

As the number of veterans attending UT rises, campuses are providing them with help to conquer the move from military…

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Deng Maluk

Lost No More

When war came to his village, he ran one direction and his family another. With other children and a few…

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Ashley Jackson walks across the UT Martin campus with her black service dog, Mr. Bunkers

Touching the Future

Some spend their lives trying to overcome difficulties, and some spend their lives helping others. One deaf-blind UT Martin student…

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Scott Kramer

The Forgotten Majority

After being diagnosed with autism at age 40, UTC alumnus Scott Kramer now spends his time helping other adults with…

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Avat Shekoofa

A Growing Passion

Her passion for science and crop physiology brought her to the United States from Iran. In West Tennessee, she works…

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Kinion Dunn stands by heavy industrial equipment

To Be an Optimist

To succeed in the business world, you need to be an optimist. At least, that’s what one UT alumnus says.…

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Sally Kirkpatrick

Silencing the Sneer

Since the sixth grade, this novelist dealt with anxiety, self-doubt and depression. After she crumpled under its weight, she found…

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Joe DiPietro

A message from the president

None of us gets through life without overcoming challenges.

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Alumni attendees at the Centennial Celebration at Cherokee Country Club

Tennessee Alumnus Turns 100

More than 150 alumni and friends gathered in October to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Tennessee Alumnus magazine.

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Cooper Thome

Nanoscale Internship

Cooper Thome, a UTC Honors College student, spent the summer in Japan working on an internship in nanotechnology at the…

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Mildred Muhammad

Ending Domestic Violence

Domestic abuse survivor Mildred Muhammad was the keynote speaker Oct. 28 at Bridging Troubled Waters, a free community forum at…

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A turtle wears a small prosthetic mask at the tip of its mouth.

Patching up Patches

UTCVM doctors created a 3-D printed prosthetic facial mask for Patches, a female black-breasted leaf turtle at Zoo Knoxville.

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LEIC leads a training session to help college investigators of sexual assault.

LEIC Trains Campus Investigators

In 2016, Tennessee legislators approached the LEIC to expand their training on investigating domestic violence and sexual assault to help…

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Boone Brown, Amanda Lund, both of Martin, and Ajia Brown, of Memphis, are pictured on the main campus.

Enrollment Up

UT Martin recorded its first fall enrollment increase since 2010.

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Strong Hall, framed by orange and white ribbons and balloons

Campus Kicks Off $1.1 Billion Campaign

UT Knoxville launched its $1.1 billion Join the Journey campaign with a kickoff celebration on Sept. 22.

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Rebecca Moss, Anne Rittenberry, Mary Stengel and Jane Womack in front of Highclere Castle

Tennessee Travelers: Hole-in-One

Experience one of golf’s greatest events—the Ryder Cup—and discover Paris all in the same week.

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Alumni Snapshots: Winter 2018

Tennessee Alumni, students, and employees around the state.

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