Awards

Vol Greats

Meet the everyday torchbearers brightening their corner of the world.

The Volunteer spirit is spread all across the country and globe through more than 275,000 alumni, working to better their communities in ways large and small. They are our educators, healthcare professionals, social workers, engineers, entrepreneurs, artists, care takers, and more. They are all lighting the way through their commitment to making a difference. They are all Vol Greats.

Help us get to know other UT alumni making a difference and tell us why they are worthy of recognition.

Nominate Vol Greats

Recent Recipients

Welda Wright (’19)

Landra Spieth neé King (’60)

Past Recipients

Carlos Lopez (’16)

Meg Hutchinson (’19)

Leroy Bible (’64)

Colton Griffin (’11)

Brandon Millard (‘20)

Dena Oneal (’92)

Temano Shurland (’00)

Arthur Anthony (’92, ’93)

Rachel Rui (’09, ’14)

Dena vonWerssowetz (’07, ’09)

Jonathan Perez (’19)

Jaclyn Carter (’12)

Camille Calibeo (’19)

Frank Zimmerer (’11)

Bill Dabbs (’06)

Russ Swafford (’15)

Courtney Vick (’12)

Tom Hulsey (’76)

Landon Williams (’06, ’08)

Christina Viviano (’12)

Andrea Poole (’04)

Ryan Siebert (’19)

Meg Prewitt (’04)

Aliza Dixon (’19)

Luke Ottinger (’13)

Ashley Saunders (’10)

Elliot Pinson (’11)

Jame Lytle (’19)

Hancen Sale (’20)

Cynthia Finch (’79, ’81)

Todd (’92) and Renee Kelly (’90, ’99)

Marion Hobby (’95)

Larry Lunsford (’74)

Dr. Charlotte Farmer (’96)

Garfield Adams (’01, ’05)

Carol Aebersold (’70)

Asia Allen (’11)

Kelly Arnold, MD (’00)

Katherine Barsness (’92)

Leroy Bible (’64)

Stephen Blythe (’16, ’17)

Pat Branham (’77)

Alexandra Carrier (’11)

Ryan Childress (’09)

General Jeffery Coggin (’83)

Spruell Driver, Jr. (’87)

Russ Dunlap (’07)

Paige Flink (’78)

Ryan Hove (’04)

Charles “Chuck” Kinard (’91)

Becca Kubo (’04)

Samantha Lane (’07)

Jennifer Nassar (’07)

Taylor Presley (’13)

Katie Riley (’12)

Kacy Rodgers (’93)

Nolen Rollins (’72)

Michael Service (’01)

Michael Sipos (’18)

Eve Thomas (’87)

Garrett Wagley (’91)

Crystal Wagner (’08)

I. King Jordan (’71, ’73)

Landra Spieth neé King (’60)

Landra Spieth neé King (’60) made Volunteer history as the first woman to graduate from UT with a degree in chemical engineering. “I was somewhat apprehensive being the first female to enter the men’s turf of chemical engineering. I found faculty and fellow students to be not just accepting but welcoming my presence.” When this trailblazing Vol left Tennessee, she spent many years dedicated to education, leaving an enduring impact.

Carlos Lopez (’16)

Carlos Lopez (’16 ), is bringing #VamosVols energy to Rocky Top! As the Spanish Voice of the Vols, he brings exciting Spanish commentating to Vols Football games, allowing more ears to follow along with interesting insight. Previously Carlos played football at MTSU and the Tampa Bay Storm. He’s currently a Spanish teacher at Alcoa High school and assistant football coach. He’s married to Hannah Lopez and has two children, Nella and Legend. You can follow Carlos’s journey as he brings a new voice to Rocky Top on Twitter: @carlosjuanward, IG: @Carlosjuanwardlopez, or FB: @Carlos “Juan Ward” Lopez. #VolGreats

Colton Griffin (’11)

Colton Griffin (’11) created solutions for the supply chain industry through his work with Genuine Parts Company, where he built and managed a reporting platform deployed to dozens of distribution centers. Griffin is now the CEO of Flourish Software, a leading supply chain management and tracking software solution for the CBD and hemp business.

Dena Oneal (’92)

Dena Oneal (’92) has used her education in Speech Pathology and her experience in Speech Therapy and Behavior Support Specialty to greatly impact the Middle Tennessee area. Oneal gives back to the university by encouraging students to job shadow her, writing welcome letters to incoming freshmen, and working closely with her alumni chapter.

Dena vonWerssowetz (’07, ’09)

Dena vonWerssowetz (’07, ’09) is the senior marketing director for PepsiCo Global Beverages in Dublin, Ireland. vonWerssowetz has led marketing initiatives for the biggest snack brands in the world, including the initiative she led for the Doritos Super Bowl Program in 2013 that earned the #1 Rated Commercial on the Nielson’s Top Super Bowl Sports Ranking.

Jaclyn Carter (’12)

Jaclyn Carter (’12) was named one of Business Insider’s Top 18 PR pros and publicist for Youtube creators, TikTok stars, and Instagram influencers. Carter has lead award-winning campaigns such as GRAMMY, Peabody, and Tenn Choice for some of today’s top content creators, national festivals, and biggest stars in music.

*Photo Credit: John Myers

Camille Calibeo (’19)

Camille Calibeo (’19) known on social media as “The Galactic Gal”, is an Aerospace Business Strategist working on advanced technologies that improve life on Earth and expand humanity’s reach into the solar system. Calibeo has recently stepped into the role of Director of Marketing at SpaceVIP, a space startup focused on making space accessible to everyone around the globe.

Ryan Siebert (’19)

Before joining Deloitte, Ryan Siebert (’19) was awarded Procter & Gamble’s “Innovator of the Quarter” in fall 2020 for saving over $3 million and 80,000 labor hours per year. Siebert also bridged the gap between UT students and the professional world by contributing to record-breaking recruiting seasons for both Procter & Gamble and Deloitte.

Cynthia Finch (’79, ’81)

Alumna Cynthia Finch (’79,’81) is one of USA TODAY’s Women of the Year! Only one woman from each state receives this distinction. The Tennessee honoree, Finch came out of retirement during the pandemic to serve her community. She was instrumental in getting over 80,000 people tested, vaccinated, and educated about public health.

Dr. Charlotte Farmer (’96)

Dr. Charlotte Farmer (’96) has been named senior vice president and COO at Underwriters Laboratories. A graduate of the Tickle College of Engineering with her M.S. in chemical engineering, Farmer is a 2021 Rotary International Paul Harris Fellow and one of Savoy Magazine’s 2020 Most Influential Black Executives in Corporate America.

Garfield Adams (’01, ’05)

Garfield Adams, Oak Ridge High School principal, is an Oak Ridge native and an ORHS graduate. He earned Bachelor and Master of Science degrees from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Adams earned an Ed.D. degree in education leadership from Lincoln Memorial University. He taught school for 11 years and has served in school administration for almost 10 year. Adams lives in Oak Ridge with his wife, Aimee, and son Jaxon. His daughter, Micalah, also a product of Oak Ridge schools, lives in Knoxville.

Carol Aebersold (’70)

You’ve heard of Elf of the Shelf . . . but did you know it was created by UT alumna Carol Aebersold (’70)?⁠ After graduating with a degree in music education, Carol taught music for many years in Appalachia and across the South. In 2005, she and her twin daughters wrote and created “The Elf on the Shelf: A Christmas Tradition” after their own family traditions. Since then, more than 12 million Scout Elves have been adopted bringing Christmas cheer to homes around the world!

Kelly Arnold, MD (’00)

Meet Kelly Arnold (’00), the #VFL bringing quality medical care to Chattanooga’s largely uninsured and underserved Latino community. Kelly is the founder and medical director of Clínica Médicos, which operates on the principle that no one who walks in will ever be turned away. This year she was named Tennessee’s 2020 Family Physician of the Year.

Pat Branham (’77)

First and foremost, Pat is one of the greatest examples of the ‘Vol Spirit’ I have ever had the pleasure of knowing. A proud alum of UT, she has been a voice for others in her leadership roles. She exudes integrity and delegates with a desire to make others successful. Her degree in Business Administration with a major in Public Administration, was just the start of her educational journey. She was elected to four national honor societies and graduated Magna Cum Laude while also working. Upon moving to the Chattanooga area, she continued her work on her Masters Degree of Education in Community Counseling where she was elected to Who’s Who in Graduate Schools. Pat also obtained a nursing degree. While raising four children, she graduated with the highest of honors and became a mentor and a volunteer tutor for struggling candidates. Pat’s volunteer spirit is alive and well to this day as she volunteers in the Covid Worker’s Group and Covid Zero, both of which are nationally recognized volunteer groups. A frontline hero and a true Vol Great with an everlasting passion for the Orange and White.

Alexandra Carrier (’11)

At UT, Alexandra (Al) Carrier (’11) studied Aerospace Engineering and was a member of the Air Force ROTC program. Upon graduation, she commissioned as a 2nd Lt in the Air Force, graduated at the top of her class in flight training, received her first choice of aircraft, deployed numerous times, and earned a variety of Air Medals and awards. Her volunteer spirit and dedication to her craft has blazed a trail for females in the bomber community.

Recently, she transitioned from the military to a civilian job. Now, she works at the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo where she brings a smile to the face of her co-workers, ensures the health and welfare for dozens of animals, and can often be seen in Tennessee Orange on fall Saturdays.

Paige Flink (’78)

For over 30 years, Paige Flink (’78) has been leading The Family Place, the largest family violence service provider in Texas. With eight facilities and more than 200 employees by her side, Paige has grown the organization into a national model always putting the client first. Although Paige is retiring in 2021, her passionate voice for victims and tireless fundraising will leave a lasting impact.

Becca Kubo (’04)

Becca has taken her talents to the classroom…the classroom in her house that is. After teaching elementary school for 4 years, she transitioned home full time when her first child was born. She has had the pleasure of combining her love for education and motherhood as a homeschool teacher since 2015, when her oldest child began kindergarten. She just completed her fifth year homeschooling, and she and her husband Matt have four children ages 3-11. After some time in Florida and Ohio, their family was thrilled to move back to home to Big Orange country in 2012. Becca shared how to choose curriculum, local resources, routines, schedules and more in June when she was featured on “Home Sweet Home” with the Alumni Office.

Taylor Presley (’13)

In response to the pandemic, Taylor Presley (’13) established a letter-writing program where people can send personal messages to COVID patients who are isolated in the hospital during the holidays. Taylor and her team set out to “create a safe, personal, and financially accessible way to establish connection in a time when many are forced to be apart from loved ones.” Thank you Taylor for embodying the #VolunteerSpirit during this difficult time!

Katie Riley (’12)

Katie Riley (‘12) is not only lighting the way for girls around the world with her work as director of strategic partnerships for @shesthefirst, she’s also helping those in her own community. When the pandemic began, Katie rallied a group of residents in Queens, NY to support struggling restaurants in the Astoria neighborhood. She created and published the “Astoria at Home Cookbook,” and all proceeds from cookbook sales — more than $13,000 to date — are donated to the Astoria Mutual Aid Network.

Katie Riley (’12)

Michael Service (’01)

Captain Michael Service (’01) has served as the leader of various US Navy and Marine Corps medical facilities around the globe. The Vol for Life has been deployed to combat areas, provided medical care, educated military and civilian populations on sustainable healthcare, and kept thousands of troops healthy as they recover from injuries. We cannot thank him enough for his service.

I. King Jordan (’71, ’73)

While serving in the U.S. Navy, I. King Jordan (’71, ’73) became profoundly deaf as a result of a motorcycle accident. He earned his bachelor degree from Gallaudet University and his masters and PhD from UT. He worked at Gallaudet as a department chairman and dean of the College of Arts and Sciences before making history in 1988 when he became the first deaf president of the university.

He has served as a visiting scholar at universities around the world, holds 12 honorary degrees, has been appointed by multiple U.S. presidents to various committees, serves on six corporate or nonprofit boards, and is the recipient of numerous other awards. There’s no doubt that Dr. Jordan deserves the title of Vol Great.