Key Takeaways
- Haslams make a historic $130 million gift to UT.
- Most funding boosts business school programs and scholarships.
- Donation supports top faculty recruitment and student success.
University of Tennessee alumni Dee and Jimmy Haslam donated $130 million to the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, officials announced Thursday, marking one of the largest gifts in the institution’s history to support students, faculty recruitment, and academic excellence.
University leaders said the contribution will fund student-focused initiatives, faculty hiring, and academic programs aimed at improving educational outcomes and strengthening the university’s national standing.
Gift Targets Student Resources and Academic Growth
The donation brings Jimmy Haslam’s total contributions to the university to $195 million. University Chancellor Donde Plowman described the investment as transformative for the institution and its future.
“This is a monumental time for our university,” Plowman said. “It is rare. It’s almost unheard of that an institution receives such a transformative investment.”
According to university officials, $100 million of the gift will support the Haslam College of Business. The funding will help recruit faculty members, expand graduate scholarship opportunities, and strengthen undergraduate honors programs.
Jimmy Haslam said the goal is to help the university continue improving while creating greater opportunities for students.
“The progress we’re making in almost all areas is substantial,” Jimmy Haslam said. “It’s our hope that our gift will propel the university even higher in rankings and, more importantly, make it an even better place for students to go to school.”
Funding Aims to Attract Top Faculty and Students
University leaders said a significant portion of the business school funding will establish eight endowed faculty chairs designed to attract nationally recognized professors.
“You think about what the money’s going to, we’re going to endow eight chairs, which should bring all-star faculty members to the business college,” Jimmy Haslam said.
Haslam also highlighted efforts to retain high-achieving students from Tennessee by expanding honors programs and academic opportunities.
“A part of the honors program is to try to keep the top 1% of students who were born in Tennessee, in Tennessee, and come to UT-Knoxville,” he said.
Officials said the investment is expected to benefit more than 11,000 students enrolled in the Haslam College of Business.
Campus-Wide Faculty Recruiting Receives Support
The remaining $30 million will be directed toward faculty recruitment across the university, supporting efforts to strengthen academic programs beyond the business school.
University leaders said attracting top educators is critical to maintaining academic quality and preparing students for future careers.
Dee Haslam said she hopes the investment will create lasting change for the university community.
“One of the reasons we’re so excited is because we want to look back on what the difference in the transformation this makes here at the university,” she said.
Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee praised the donation, saying it reflects a commitment to helping future generations succeed.
In a statement, Lee said the Haslams’ gift “demonstrates a deep commitment to ensuring the next generation of Tennesseans has the opportunity to reach their full potential.”
University officials said the funding from Jimmy Haslam’s historic donation will help provide students with the resources needed to graduate, enter the workforce, and contribute to Tennessee’s economy in the years ahead.
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