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Leaders in the Spotlight
A growing number of the university’s most active supporters and administrative staff are hard at work to ensure a firm foundation as the University of Tennessee prepares for the largest fundraising effort since its founding in 1794, The Campaign for Tennessee. For when the university’s graduates, friends, and fans support the university with their time, involvement, and financial means, the state of Tennessee and its people benefit.
In the following profiles, you’ll meet a few of the volunteers and staff members involved in the university’s effort to play a more active role in the state’s economic development and secure UT’s place as one of the finest public higher-education institutions in the country.
These alumni and friends are working with Acting President Jan Simek, each campus’s administrative staff, and the university’s development and alumni affairs staff to ensure that the university has endowed funds to support scholarships; professorships; fellowships; medical, agricultural, and basic research; equipment and new facilities; and program enrichment.
Jim and Natalie Haslam
As retired CEO of Pilot Oil Corp., Jim Haslam (Knoxville ’52) of Knoxville spends a lot of time supporting his favorite charitable organizations—and UT is at the top of that list.
Jim and his wife, Natalie (Knoxville ’52), are co-chairs for the Campaign for Tennessee.
The couple has given $38.2 million to the Campaign for Tennessee to support a variety of colleges and programs that include the College of Business Administration, the College of Arts and Sciences School of Music, the Haslam Scholars honors program and athletics.
The Haslams' leadership was demonstrated in 2006 through the first campaign gift of $32.5 million, which was the largest gift to be made by an individual or family in the university’s history.
“The university's development staff have asked me to visit with other alumni and friends to explain why Natalie and I made the commitment we did and how private giving can enhance the university,” Jim Haslam says. “I’m glad to do it.”
Jim graduated from the College of Business with a degree in finance. He and Natalie designated $7.5 million to the college to furnish the new building with state-of-the-art technology, and to support faculty, students and hands-on learning experiences. In October 2008, the building was named the James A. Haslam II Business Building.
“The university has meant so much to us and our family. It has been a joy for us to be actively involved in the life of the university and encourage others to do the same,” Natalie Haslam says.
Brenda Lawson
Brenda Lawson, principal of Brenda Lawson & Associates LLC in Cleveland, Tennessee, is a passionate supporter of the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga and UT Knoxville athletics—so passionate that her name graces buildings on both campuses. But as a highly successful businesswoman, Lawson has also been very generous with her time and counsel, as well as her efforts to urge others to support the university.
“The University of Tennessee means so much to the people of this state,” Lawson says. “I want to do all I can to encourage people who care about the university to get involved and support its programs.”
“Brenda has been a tremendous leader in her giving, and she is always willing to get involved,” says Bob Lyon, vice-chancellor of university advancement at UTC. “Her advice on our fundraising efforts and her commitment to the success of this campaign have helped us lay the groundwork for a very exciting future.”
Charles Wharton
As a member of the university’s Board of Trustees and Development Council, Charlie Wharton (Knoxville ’65) gives a great deal of time and expertise to the University of Tennessee. It is a role he takes seriously.
“The university appreciates the counsel and leadership that the Board of Trustees and Development Council provide,” says Wharton. “My active involvement as a trustee and on the council has helped me better understand the workings of the university.”
Wharton, who is president and CEO of Poplar Creek Farms in Winchester, Tennessee, has agreed to serve on the campaign planning committee—a committee that will review, edit, and approve the strategic plan for all campaign operations.
Jimmy and Dee Haslam
Continuing the Haslam family’s tendency to lead by example, Jimmy Haslam, president and chief executive officer of Pilot Travel Centers, and Dee Bagwell Haslam (Knoxville ’86), CEO of RIVR Media, recently announced a $10-million commitment to benefit two of the university’s nationally recognized programs, the Marco Institute for Medieval and Renaissance Studies and the UT Forensic Anthropology Center, and to establish the university’s premier scholarship program and an endowment to fund professorships to recruit and retain outstanding faculty members. This busy couple not only chairs the Knoxville campus portion of the Campaign for Tennessee, Dee also chairs the UT Development Council, a group of alumni and friends of the university that promotes private gifts to all UT campuses and institutes.
“The students and faculty are what make UT strong, inviting, and vibrant. We are happy to create the Haslam Scholars program to give the university the tools it needs to compete for the nation’s best students,” says Jimmy Haslam. “It is our hope that the endowed professorships help the university attract leading scholars.”
Dee Haslam adds, “Our level of involvement in the Campaign for Tennessee is a reflection of how critical we think higher education is to the continued economic development of our state.”
Lew Dougherty and Ray Smith
Ray Smith, co-owner of Ray Smith Chevrolet, Buick, and Pontiac in Camden, Tennessee, and Lew Dougherty (Knoxville ’52, Health Science Center ’54), a retired dentist also of Camden, are co-chairs for the University of Tennessee at Martin campaign effort. The two lead a committee of volunteers that meets regularly to review prospects, fundraising, and case statements.
“This has been a wonderful experience to work with individuals who care passionately about supporting education in West Tennessee,” Dougherty says. “UT Martin is a special place, and I am excited about the potential impact that private giving will have on UT Martin’s students and the future of this campus.”
“This campaign is really about people making a difference for UT Martin both now and through the years ahead,” Smith says. “Giving to higher education is a gift that keeps giving as our students receive their education and go out to make a difference in the world.”
