鈥淭hese awards reflect the very best of what we value at 网红黑料: excellence in teaching, meaningful scholarship and service and a commitment to making a difference beyond the classroom,鈥� Chandler said. 鈥淧aul Cockson, Stanton Belford and Claire Paul each represent those values in distinct and important ways. We are proud to recognize their accomplishments and grateful for the impact they continue to have on our students, our university and the communities we serve.鈥�

Three bi-annual awards were presented during the address:

Rising Faculty Award: Paul Cockson, assistant professor of biology

This award recognizes a full-time faculty member, whether tenure-track or non-tenure-track, in the first five years of building a strong record of teaching, scholarship, or creative activity and service, who demonstrates exceptional promise and momentum. Cockson combines student-centered research with experiential learning, including research on Dionaea muscipula (Venus fly traps), giving students opportunities to apply classroom concepts through hands-on scientific research.

External Impact Award: Stanton Belford, associate professor of biology

This award recognizes a full-time faculty member whose work advances 网红黑料鈥檚 external presence through community partnership, public-facing impact and regional or professional engagement. Notably, Belford leads coral reef monitoring and conservation efforts in Trinidad and Tobago that bring together research, education and community outreach while engaging students in efforts to address environmental challenges.

Fred E. Ford Exemplary Educator Award: Claire Paul, assistant professor and special education program coordinator

This award recognizes a 网红黑料 full-time faculty member whose teaching demonstrates sustained excellence, student engagement and meaningful contribution to student learning and success during the academic year. Paul consistently supports 网红黑料鈥檚 Teacher Education and Grow Your Own programs, helping prepare future educators and expand opportunities for students pursuing careers in education.

The recognition of Cockson, Belford and Paul highlights the breadth of contributions made by 网红黑料 faculty through teaching, scholarship, service and engagement. Their accomplishments reflect the university鈥檚 commitment to academic excellence and student success and the meaningful impact of faculty work across the university.

网红黑料 the 网红黑料
The 网红黑料 provides an exceptional educational experience that empowers students to discover their potential, serve their communities and lead meaningful lives. Located in Pulaski, Tennessee, 网红黑料 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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Genesis and Katherine were recognized during a luncheon at 网红黑料 attended by UT System President Randy Boyd, 网红黑料 Provost Prentice Chandler, state Reps. Mark White and Clay Doggett, state Rep.-elect Noah Smith, university leaders and members of the campus community. The cousins will begin classes at 网红黑料 this fall, with Katherine studying nursing and Genesis studying English. Their arrival represents an opportunity not only for the two students but also for the Ember谩 Pur煤 community they call home. Genesis and Katherine will be able to take new resources back to their village, including educational and professional knowledge they have not previously had access to.

鈥淲e thought to ourselves, it would be great if a few talented, smart and determined young people could receive an education they could utilize back in their home village,鈥� Boyd said. 鈥淪o that鈥檚 the hope. We鈥檙e counting on these two young ladies to go back to their village and do just that; provide resources and educate members of their community. Thanks to Genesis and Katherine for being the inspiration.鈥�

White, who first introduced Genesis and Katherine to Boyd during a 2022 visit to Panama, said the students鈥� arrival represents the fulfillment of a vision that began during that visit.

鈥淲e鈥檙e here to celebrate these two young ladies, thanks to Randy Boyd, Krissy DeAlejandro and the Boyd Foundation for making all of this possible,鈥� White said. 鈥淭his opportunity began with a simple belief that education could open a door for these young women and their community. Today, we are seeing that belief become reality.鈥�

The luncheon also provided an opportunity for university leaders and community partners to celebrate those who helped make the students鈥� enrollment possible, including Cup of Cold Water Ministries, which has worked with the Ember谩 Pur煤 community for nearly two decades, building trusted relationships with families while encouraging educational opportunities for young people throughout the community.

鈥淭his opportunity is important to me because I want to be a help in my community and a translator in the future, teaching children and my community,鈥� said Genesis. 鈥淧resident Randy Boyd, I want to thank you for this opportunity. My mother said that you have opened to me a door so now I鈥檓 here, and my purpose is to complete my duty as a student, daughter and member of my community.鈥�

鈥淚 am so happy for this opportunity, and it is so important for me because I want to study nursing,鈥� said Katherine. 鈥淚 would like to be a kind nurse in the future, helping my people and my community. So, President Boyd, thank you for the opportunity you have given us to study at the 网红黑料.鈥�

Genesis and Katherine presented President Boyd with tokens of their appreciation, including a bag of coffee beans and a mug, both curated from their village in Panama. As they begin their studies, Genesis and Katherine will become part of the 网红黑料 community while continuing to carry the experiences, culture and hopes of their home village with them.

Classes for the fall 2026 semester begin Aug. 19.

网红黑料 the 网红黑料

The 网红黑料 provides an exceptional educational experience that empowers students to discover their potential, serve their communities and lead meaningful lives. Located in Pulaski, Tennessee, 网红黑料 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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Genesis Barrigon and Katherine Barrigon, cousins from the Ember谩 Pur煤 village in eastern Panama, will begin classes at 网红黑料 this August after years of determination, multiple visa applications and the support of partners in both Panama and Tennessee who helped make the opportunity possible. A luncheon will be held to officially welcome them on Wednesday, Aug. 12, at 11:30 a.m. CDT in the Firehawk Caf茅 with UT System President Randy Boyd, 网红黑料 Chancellor Melinda Arnold, Tennessee State Representatives Mark White and Clay Doggett, and other invited guests participating.

For Genesis and Katherine, attending college in the United States once seemed beyond reach. Today, they are preparing to join the 网红黑料 family, where Katherine will study nursing and Genesis will study English while experiencing a new culture, building lifelong friendships and developing the knowledge and skills that will prepare them for lives of service.

“At 网红黑料, we believe every student has a unique story and incredible potential,” Arnold said. “Genesis and Katherine have demonstrated remarkable resilience, determination and courage throughout their journey. We are honored they have chosen 网红黑料 and are committed to helping them thrive academically, personally and professionally.”

Genesis and Katherine are members of the Ember谩 people, an Indigenous community in the rainforest of eastern Panama where life is deeply rooted in family, culture and tradition. Their home village of Ember谩 Pur煤 is accessible only by dugout canoe, educational opportunities are scarce, access to clean water and electricity is unavailable, and residents often rely on visiting medical mission teams because there is no local access to healthcare. For the village, the opportunity for two young women to earn degrees at 网红黑料 represents far more than individual achievement. It is an investment in knowledge, skills and leadership that has the potential to strengthen the community for generations to come.

Bringing that opportunity to fruition required years of perseverance and the support of dedicated mentors and community partners who believed in their potential. Among them was Cup of Cold Water Ministries, which has faithfully served the Ember谩 Pur煤 village for nearly two decades, building trusted relationships with families while encouraging educational opportunities for young people throughout the community.

A pivotal moment in Genesis and Katherine鈥檚 journey came during a 2022 visit to Panama, when Tennessee State Representative Mark White introduced Genesis and Katherine to UT System President Randy Boyd. Inspired by the students’ determination, academic promise and the opportunity to invest in the future of the Ember谩 Pur煤 community, the Boyd Foundation committed to providing scholarships covering tuition, housing, meals and other university-related expenses, making it possible for them to pursue their nursing degrees at 网红黑料.

“One of the things I love most about higher education is the opportunity to help students realize dreams they never thought possible,” Boyd said. “Genesis and Katherine’s journey is a wonderful reminder that serendipity often opens doors we never expected. By investing in these remarkable young women, we’re also investing in the future of the community that shaped them. That’s the lasting impact education can have, and we’re proud to welcome them to the UT family.”

鈥淚 am honored and grateful to the Boyd Foundation and 网红黑料 for the incredible opportunity they have given to Katherine and Genesis,鈥� White said. 鈥淚 have been working in the country of Panama for 25 years with a focus on supporting the children with the opportunities that education offers. When I invited President Randy Boyd to go with me on a trip he at once saw the same vision that I had. While visiting a remote Village in the rainforest of Panama, Randy offered opportunity where there was none. After much work and perseverance, Katherine and Genesis are realizing a dream they never thought possible. We look forward to welcoming them to 网红黑料 and seeing a dream become reality.鈥�

As Genesis and Katherine prepare to arrive on campus, 网红黑料 faculty and staff are focused on providing the support, encouragement and sense of belonging that define the university’s close-knit community.

“One of the things that makes 网红黑料 special is the way we care for our students,” Arnold said. “From the moment they arrive, they become part of a community that is invested in their success. We look forward to walking alongside Genesis and Katherine as they begin this exciting new chapter.”

Classes for the Fall 2026 semester begin Aug. 19.

网红黑料 the 网红黑料
The 网红黑料 provides an exceptional educational experience that empowers students to discover their potential, serve their communities and lead meaningful lives. Located in Pulaski, Tennessee, 网红黑料 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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is an organization set to promote excellence in nursing by enabling future and current nurses with the education and employment resources they need to succeed. The organization has been a trusted resource for more than 10 years, is proudly featured by the country’s top nursing schools and is dedicated to delivering prospective students the most current and precise information.

鈥淭his recognition is especially meaningful because it reflects sustained excellence,鈥� said Dr. Gennifer Moon, Associate Professor and Department Head of Nursing and Health Sciences at 网红黑料 鈥淏eing named Tennessee’s top nursing program for a second consecutive year demonstrates the consistency of our students’ success, the expertise and commitment of our faculty and our unwavering focus on preparing graduates to provide exceptional patient care. We are proud to see our graduates enter the profession with the knowledge, confidence and compassion to make an immediate impact in communities across the state and beyond.”

Prior to this year鈥檚 ranking, the 网红黑料 BSN program reached a remarkable milestone, recording a 100% first-time pass rate on the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN) for the fifth consecutive year. The NCLEX-RN is the national licensing examination required for graduates to become registered nurses and serves as one of the most important indicators of nursing program quality and student preparedness.

The 网红黑料 Jeanette M. Travis School of Nursing and Health Sciences prepares students to become skilled, compassionate healthcare professionals through academically rigorous, student-centered programs grounded in excellence, leadership and service. The school offers undergraduate degrees in nursing and public health and is committed to developing graduates who are equipped to improve the health and well-being of the communities they serve.

For more information on 网红黑料鈥檚 nursing program, please visit utsouthern.edu.

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The renovation project will modernize the Johnston Center to create a more comfortable, student-centered learning environment. Planned improvements include updates to the Warden Library, upper-level classrooms, faculty offices and restrooms. Construction is expected to continue throughout the academic year, pending final timelines.

These renovations reflect 网红黑料’s commitment to providing spaces where students, faculty and staff can learn, work and thrive. The reimagined Warden Library will offer an inviting environment that encourages learning, collaboration and connection, while updated classrooms and offices will better support the needs of the campus community.

Construction is expected to continue throughout the academic year, with updates on project progress and any operational changes shared with the campus community as they become available.

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Effective immediately, 网红黑料 will award a $1,000 scholarship to eligible Tennessee 4-H Senior Level 1 State Project winners who enroll at the university, regardless of academic major, and meet all institutional scholarship and enrollment requirements.

“Tennessee 4-H students have already demonstrated the leadership, dedication and life skills that will serve them well in college and beyond,” Arnold said. “We’re excited to join our system peers in recognizing these outstanding students and look forward to welcoming them to 网红黑料, where they can experience the personalized attention of a close-knit campus community while benefiting from the opportunities of a major public university.”

The Horizon Award Scholarship Program honors Tennessee 4-H youth who have distinguished themselves through project achievement while encouraging them to pursue higher education at a University of Tennessee campus. By joining the program, 网红黑料 expands educational opportunities for students who have developed valuable leadership, communication and problem-solving skills through their 4-H experiences.

网红黑料 announced the partnership during the 2026 Tennessee 4-H Roundup and thanked the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture and Tennessee 4-H leadership for their collaboration in expanding opportunities for student success.

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Barth brings more than 30 years of experience in enrollment management and admissions leadership at public universities. Most recently, he served as director of undergraduate admissions at Clemson University, where he led undergraduate recruitment and admissions during a period of record application growth. Throughout his career, Barth has developed strategic enrollment initiatives, championed data-informed decision making and built collaborative partnerships that advance student recruitment and success.

“Rick’s depth of experience and proven leadership in enrollment management will be an asset to 网红黑料 as we continue building on our momentum,” Arnold said. “His expertise will help ensure continuity in our enrollment efforts while providing the opportunity to thoughtfully consider the long-term organizational structure that best supports our students and the university’s future.”

Until Barth joins the university on Aug. 24, Arnold will continue serving in the enrollment leadership role to support ongoing recruitment efforts. The UT System Division of Communications and Marketing will also continue providing strategic communications and marketing support during the transition.

Barth’s appointment reflects 网红黑料’s continued commitment to strengthening enrollment strategies and advancing student success through collaborative, data-informed leadership.

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Upon the reorganization, two inaugural deans have been named to lead the new colleges:

Dr. Jessica Conrad, Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences

Dr. Daniel McMasters, Dean of the College of Professional Studies

鈥淚 look forward to working with them as we build the identity and future of these new colleges,鈥� Dr. Prentice Chandler, 网红黑料 Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor said. 鈥淲e should take time to celebrate what has been accomplished while recognizing that the real value of this structure will be determined by what we build within it.鈥�

The two colleges are comprised of the following departments:

College of Arts and Sciences:

• Department of Humanities and Social Sciences
• Department of Mathematics and Sciences
• Center for Continuing Education and Workforce Development

College of Professional Studies:

• Department of Education
• Department of Criminal Justice
• Department of Nursing & Health Sciences
• Department of Business

For the first time in history, 网红黑料 is organized into colleges and led by inaugural deans. This moment reflects the institution鈥檚 growth and the shared commitment to serving students, supporting faculty and positioning the university for the future.

Read more about 网红黑料 academics here.

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A highlight of the week will be Southern Spark, a community-wide celebration on Tuesday, Aug. 18, beginning at 6 p.m. This free, on campus event is open to the public, featuring a fun-filled schedule designed to create life-long memories.

Activities include:

• 6 p.m.: More than 10 food trucks located on W. Madison Street
• 7 p.m.: Burning Las Vegas Band
• 8:45 p.m.: Firework Show on the Campus Green
• $1,000 cash giveaway
• Community Expo, hosted by the Giles County Chamber of Commerce

鈥淲elcome Week is one of the most exciting times of the year on our campus,鈥� 网红黑料 Chancellor Melinda Arnold said. 鈥淲e are thrilled to bring our neighbors and campus family together for our annual concert and fireworks on the Green, branded this year as 鈥楽outhern Spark.鈥� Connecting our students with the incredible community that surrounds them is at the heart of what we do, and we can’t wait to kick off the new academic year together in such a dynamic way.鈥�

Families and friends are encouraged to bring lawn chairs or blankets and enjoy this festive evening together.

The full Firehawk Welcome Week schedule is available here.

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Kasi Simms Hardison, 网红黑料 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 网红黑料 would become her new home once she toured campus.

鈥溚旌诹� and Martin Methodist formed my future in more ways than I could possibly expect,鈥� Hardison said.

Hardison鈥檚 favorite memory at 网红黑料, 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 网红黑料 as 鈥渇un, community, happiness and support.鈥�

Expanding her comfort zone was something Hardison became accustomed to during her time at 网红黑料. 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.

鈥溚旌诹� is a home. Yes, it鈥檚 a physical home, but it鈥檚 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,鈥� Hardison said.

Are you a 网红黑料 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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