Haslam, Roddy Scholar Proud to Carry On Donors’ Legacies

January 5, 2009

Charlie Edwards always knew he wanted to attend the University of Tennessee. The freshman from Lawrenceburg, Tenn., got his first taste of the university as a young child at UT football games with his father. Edwards was enamored by the tradition, pageantry, and spirit present at every UT game.

Now, after finishing his first semester at the university, he feels a stronger bond than ever to UT.

Edwards, an enterprise management major in the College of Business Administration, is a recipient of the Fred M. Roddy Scholarship and is part of the inaugural class of UT’s Haslam Scholars Program.

The Roddy Scholarship was established by UT graduate Fred M. Roddy. Upon his death in 1969, Mr. Roddy (’27) left a bequest of $500,000 to UT to establish an endowment for scholarships. Since 1972, the directors of the Fred M. Roddy Foundation have voted annually to provide additional grants to further grow the $500,000 endowment to provide more scholarships. Today, the Roddy endowment exceeds $3.9 million. More than 5,200 Roddy Scholarships have been awarded at UT because of the generosity of Roddy and the foundation.

Edwards said the opportunity to be a Roddy Scholar is rewarding in itself, but it also drives him to excel at UT. “To have the honor to be both a Roddy and a Haslam Scholar was something I would have never dreamed,” said Edwards. “I worked hard from the time I was in elementary to do my best and be eligible for scholarships like this.”

Edwards is one of 15 freshmen in the university’s first-year class of Haslam Scholars. The Haslam Scholars is a premier honors program that will provide unprecedented opportunities for some of the nation's top scholars who attend UT each year. The program was made possible by a gift of $2.5 million from Jimmy and Dee Haslam, with a matching gift from Jim and Natalie Haslam

Haslam Scholars will be part of an intimate study group mentored by top UT faculty. All Haslam Scholars receive a Chancellor's scholarship – currently the top academic scholarship – which provides annual award amounts from $5,000 and $10,000. The program offers additional benefits which include a laptop computer, a study-abroad stipend, as well as up to $5,500 to support a senior research thesis.

“I am so excited about the opportunities that will come with being a part of this prestigious program,” said Edwards, who is anticipating traveling abroad to China with other Haslam Scholars in 2010.

UT was always the place for Edwards.

“I always wanted to attend UT. It was the only place I applied coming out of high school,” said Edwards. “I take pride in being a UT student.”

“Being a Roddy and Haslam Scholar drives me to succeed,” said Edwards. “I have made it a priority to do my best and set a good example as a scholarship recipient.”

Edwards is anxious to attend classes in UT’s new Haslam Business Building in the spring. More importantly, by being a Roddy and Haslam Scholar, he is proud to be a part of the lasting legacy of Roddy and the Haslams.

“It’s such a great thing to have alumni and friends of the university give back through scholarships, facility upgrades and faculty supplements. Knowing they have enjoyed their experiences at UT and now want to give back and help others succeed is humbling. “As a Roddy and Haslam Scholar, I am grateful for the opportunity I have been given.”