Dr. Erwin’s gift provides funding for the current Fund and establishes the Lynn McKee Erwin Children’s Literacy Conference endowment, ensuring the conference’s support in perpetuity at �������. 

Earnings from the Lynn McKee Erwin Children’s Literacy Conference endowment will be used to fund the annual conference. This conference is a place where educators gather to learn, connect and ignite a love of literacy.

To be held on Feb. 20, 2027, the conference brings together faculty, staff, educators, authors and other literacy leaders for professional development opportunities that cover topics including, but not limited to, evidence-based literacy instruction, reading development, curriculum design and strategies for supporting young learners.

As it looks ahead to its fifth year, the new endowment will allow the conference to become a permanent fixture on the ������� campus, honoring Lynn McKee Erwin, Martin Methodist (now �������) alumna. The conference mission remains grounded in Lynn Erwin’s belief that children deserve stories that inspire them and teachers deserve meaningful support. Attendees will receive free books to enrich their classroom or personal library.

“We are deeply grateful to Dr. Erwin for investing in the future of our students,” Chancellor Melinda Arnold said. “Establishing this endowment helps to ensure that the Lynn McKee Erwin Children’s Literacy Conference will continue to serve generations to come. Partnerships like this remind us of the lasting impact we can make when our campus and community come together around a shared commitment to student success.”

������� the �������

The ������� provides an exceptional educational experience that empowers students to discover their potential, serve their communities and lead meaningful lives. Located in Pulaski, Tennessee, ������� offers personalized learning, hands-on experiences and a close-knit campus community while serving southern Middle Tennessee and preparing students for success.

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Celebrating the five-year anniversary of becoming �������, Homecoming 2026 allows the institution to reflect on the 156-year history of campus and generations of students, alumni, faculty, staff and community members who have shaped the legacy.   

This year’s Vintage Varsity  theme celebrates the enduring traditions, stories and school spirit that connect generations of Firehawks. Homecoming week will feature a variety of events and activities throughout campus, including competitions, a talent show, carnival, alumni recognition dinner, volleyball game, and alumni and family picnic.�� 

Events include: 

• All Week: Flame’s Flashback Finds (students only), campus wide 
  • Students can participate in a scavenger hunt featuring vintage-themed finds and campus traditions.��
• Oct. 19: Campus Banner Competition Kick-Off (students only), 9 a.m., campus wide 
  • Students will compete in a campus banner competition throughout Homecoming week.�� 
• Oct. 21: Day of Giving, all day, Campus Green 
  • The annual giving event will support the people, programs and places that make ������� special. Community members, businesses and alumni can show their support by making a gift.�� 
• Oct. 21: Southern Spotlight Talent Show, 6 p.m., Martin Hall 
  • Students, faculty, staff and community members are invited to enjoy a night of ������� talent.�� 
• Oct. 22: Carnival on the Campus Green, 11 a.m.–2 p.m., Campus Green 
  • The event will feature an afternoon of games, music, food and Firehawk spirit at the Carnival on the Campus Green for the ������� community.��
• Oct. 23: Hall of Fame and Distinguished Alumni Dinner, 5 p.m., Mule Barn 
  • ������� will recognize Hall of Fame inductees and Distinguished Alumni for their leadership and service. Purchase a ticket to the dinner .��
• Oct. 23: Firehawks Homecoming Volleyball Game, 6 p.m., Curry Athletic Complex 
  • During halftime, ������� will announce the Homecoming Court, campus banner competition winner and winners of the Flame’s Flashback Finds scavenger hunt. The first 50 students to arrive will receive free Chick-fil-A.�� 
• Oct. 24: Alumni and Family Picnic, 11 a.m.–3 p.m., Campus Green 
  • Students, faculty, staff and alumni can gather on the campus green for food trucks, games and friends before cheering on the Firehawks at athletic events like tennis, swimming and volleyball.�� 

“Alumni are an important part of ������� and its history,” said Chancellor Melinda Arnold. “We’re so excited to welcome our alumni family back to campus for a week full of activities, celebration and recognition.”  

“We are very excited about the opportunity to have our alumni reconnect with campus,” said Lydia Smith, MBA, assistant director of alumni engagement. “Homecoming week will be filled with excitement, and I’m especially looking forward to our Alumni & Family Picnic! As an alumna myself, I can’t wait to see many familiar faces and reconnect with fellow Firehawks!” 

For more information about Homecoming 2026, contact the ������� Office of Advancement.  

������� the ������� 

The ������� provides an exceptional educational experience that empowers students to discover their potential, serve their communities, and lead meaningful lives. Located in Pulaski, Tennessee, ������� offers personalized learning, hands-on experiences, and a close-knit campus community while serving southern Middle Tennessee and preparing students for success. 

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The award dinner will take place Friday, Oct. 23, at Pulaski Mule Co Event Center (114 E. Jefferson St.). A reception will run from 5-6 p.m., with dinner and awards to follow beginning at 6 p.m. Tickets are $10 per person, with 100% of profits going to �������’s alumni programs.

The Distinguished Alumni Award honors alumni who have achieved excellence in their profession, demonstrated outstanding leadership and service, or made a meaningful impact in their communities while exemplifying the values of �������. 

The Distinguished Alumni Award recipients are:

• Sarah D. Suddarth, DPT, FAAOMPT, ������� ‘07
• Stanton Belford, Ph.D., ������� ‘00
• Charles D. Haney, MD, ������� ‘74, UT Knoxville ‘75, UT Health Sciences ‘79

Recognized by the ������� Alumni Board for their extraordinary service to ������� and the greater Giles County community, three recipients were recognized for the Alumni Service Award.

The Alumni Service Award recipients are:

• Sharon Harwell, ������� ‘78
• Brenda Speer, UT Knoxville ‘78
• Carol Wade, ������� ’06

“We’re excited to welcome these distinguished alumni back to campus and recognize their accomplishments,” said Kyle Hensley, vice chancellor of advancement. “These alumni have had a positive impact on their communities and we are proud to have them as part of the ������� Alumni family.”

The 2026 ������� Athletic Hall of Fame Class honors an outstanding group of former student-athletes, coaches, teams and national championship teams whose accomplishments helped shape the proud tradition of Martin Methodist and ������� athletics, elevating the institution’s tradition of excellence.

The 2026 Hall of Fame Class includes:

• James Justice, men’s basketball, ������� ‘12
• 2016 National Championship Clay Target team
• Travis Garcia, baseball, ������� ‘11
• Karen Hargrove Whidby, softball, ������� ‘06
• Millene Cabral, women’s soccer, ������� ‘19
• Sydney Watson, softball, ������� ’19, posthumous recognition

In addition to the Hall of Fame inductees, ������� Athletics will honor the memory of former softball student-athlete Sydney Watson, ������� ‘19, whose legacy of service, courage and sacrifice continues to inspire the Firehawk family.

“There is a renewed energy across our athletic department right now, and what better way to celebrate our future than by honoring the foundation of our past,” said Brandie Paul, vice chancellor and director of athletics. “The return of the Hall of Fame represents a major milestone for �������. It gives our alumni a reason to come home, gives our fans a chance to celebrate the greats, and shows our current student-athletes the height of what is possible in a Firehawk uniform.”

Registration deadline for the event is Sep. 30, with more information .

������� the �������

The ������� provides an exceptional educational experience that empowers students to discover their potential, serve their communities and lead meaningful lives. Located in Pulaski, Tennessee, ������� offers personalized learning, hands-on experiences and a close-knit campus community while serving southern Middle Tennessee and preparing students for success.

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Kasi Simms Hardison, ������� Class of 2023, began her undergraduate collegiate career at then-Martin Methodist College (MMC) in 2019 as an English major with a concentration in literature. Hardison explains that among her higher education search, she immediately knew ������� would become her new home once she toured campus.

“������� and Martin Methodist formed my future in more ways than I could possibly expect,” Hardison said.

Hardison’s favorite memory at �������, one that includes Instructor of English & ESL and Director of International Studies, Dr. Amy Little: participating in a fake snowball fight with students. She describes her experience at ������� as “fun, community, happiness and support.”

Expanding her comfort zone was something Hardison became accustomed to during her time at �������. Being encouraged by faculty to participate in events like singing at Carnegie Hall, speaking at commencement and running for student body are reasons Hardison believes have helped her become the person she is today.

“������� is a home. Yes, it’s a physical home, but it’s also a home for like-minded individuals who love Pulaski, who love the UT System, who love learning and people to come and be together,” Hardison said.

Are you a ������� or MMC alumni or current student and want to share your story? Tell us more:

Stay tuned for more stories to come! Learn more & watch Kasi’s story today:

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Presented during the annual Women and Philanthropy Symposium, the award recognizes women whose leadership, generosity, and service create lasting impact across the University of Tennessee System and beyond. Speer’s commitment to expanding access to higher education, including her instrumental support of the merger that established �������, continues to shape opportunities for students across Southern Middle Tennessee.

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The UT Alumni Association is hosting its’ 3rd annual Young Alumni Career Summit! Join alumni from across all UT System schools for professional development seminars about job searching, salary negotiations and more!

12:30 P.M. EDT SESSIONS:

• Monday, June 3 | Organizing Your Job Search
• Tuesday, June 4 | Tips for Interviewing In-Person and Virtually
• Wednesday, June 5 | Negotiating Your Job Offer
• Thursday, June 6 | Ask a Hiring Manager & Individual Resume Critiques — Drop-In Q&A

5:30 P.M. EDT SESSIONS:

• Monday, June 3 | How to Succeed in Your First Job
• Tuesday, June 4 | Career Connections: How to Build Your Network
• Wednesday, June 5 | Preparing for a Promotion
• Thursday, June 6 | Ask a Hiring Manager & Individual Resume Critiques — Drop-In Q&A

An overview of the summit, list of the sessions, and link to sign up can be found at:

Session speakers include the following UT staff, as well as employer and alumni partners:

• Alex Bryant (UTC ’11), Talent Onboarding Manager, Unum
• Tike Goddard, Talent Acquisition Partner, CGI
• Lane Gutridge, Alumni Engagement Coordinator, UT Chattanooga
• Mikaela Janecek, Director of University Relationships, Quinncia
• Kristen Lane (UTK ’02, ’10), HR Business Partner, Edfinancial Services
• Dr. Rob Liddell, Executive Director of Center for Career and Leadership Development, UT Chattanooga
• Mary Mahoney, Career Consultant, UT Alumni Association
• Becky Spaulding, Director of Alumni Career & Professional Development, UT Alumni Association
• Katie Wiley, Assistant Director for Employer Development of Center for Career Development and Academic Exploration, UT Knoxville

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We are pleased to confirm that the ������� Commencement Ceremony will take place on the Campus Green as planned. Thank you for your patience as we monitored the weather conditions this week.

For your added convenience, the ceremony will also be streamed live on the ������� Roku app and our  channel. We look forward to celebrating this momentous occasion with you, in just a few short hours!

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Pulaski, TN, March 4, 2024 – The University of Tennessee Board of Trustees, during its winter meeting held at ������� on Friday, has unanimously approved �������’s inaugural five-year strategic plan. This pivotal decision marks a significant milestone for the university, emphasizing its commitment to enhancing academic excellence, promoting innovation, creating transformational student experiences, and fostering greater community engagement.

The strategic plan is built on three foundational pillars designed to guide ������� through its next phase of growth and development:

1. Enhance Academic Excellence and Promote Innovation: Aiming to elevate the university’s academic profile and encourage a culture of innovation and research that meets the evolving needs of the region and the state.

2. Create Transformational Student Experiences and Foster Student Success: Focused on providing students with engaging, high-quality educational experiences that promote personal and professional growth.

3. Establish Greater Connectedness and Facilitate Campus and Community Engagement: Dedicated to strengthening the ties between the university, its students, and the wider community to enhance the educational, economic, and cultural life of Southern Middle Tennessee.

With a focus on people, purpose, and partnerships, the university’s mission is Students First and the vision stated simply is to Engage Minds & Transform Lives. Interim Chancellor Linda C. Martin expressed her enthusiasm for the plan, stating, “This plan captures the spirit of our institution, from the pursuit of excellence to the enrichment of the student experience, and the deepening of our pledge to foster meaningful relationships. We remain dedicated to serving Southern Middle Tennessee and to educating students to meet the current and future workforce needs of the region and the state.”

�������, established in 2021 through the acquisition of Martin Methodist College, carries forward a legacy of educational excellence dating back to its founding in 1870. Located in Pulaski, about 70 miles south of Nashville and 40 miles north of Huntsville, Alabama, ������� is strategically positioned to serve as a beacon of higher learning and community engagement in the region.

The approval of this strategic plan represents a significant step forward for �������, underscoring its commitment to excellence, innovation, and community. As the university embarks on this exciting journey, it reaffirms its dedication to providing an enriching educational experience for its students and playing a pivotal role in the development of the region.

For more information about ������� and to review the full strategic plan, please visit the following for a magazine version or here to download a PDF version. The mission and vision statements are also included in the strategic plan.

������� �������

The �������, established in 2021 through the acquisition of Martin Methodist College (founded in 1870), is the fourth undergraduate campus in the UT System. As the only public four-year institution of higher education between Chattanooga and Memphis, and located approximately 70 miles south of Nashville and 40 miles north of Huntsville, Alabama, ������� offers a comprehensive and dynamic educational experience. Committed to academic excellence and community involvement, it prepares students for successful and meaningful careers. 

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