Letter from incoming Alumni Board of Directors president, Clay Hart (’00)
I said, “It’s great to be a Tennessee Vol!”
These aren’t just words for Volunteer alumni—they represent a way of life. As a third-generation graduate of the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, I am humbled and excited to begin my term as president of the UT Alumni Board of Directors.
Established in 2009, the Alumni Board of Directors includes UT alumni from all walks of life and is representative of the university’s more than 290,000 alumni around the world. All board members have a passion for the university and work to enhance UT’s reputation, strengthen student involvement, broaden alumni engagement, and increase the number of alumni donors.
Along with board members, UT’s Alumni Relations team on campus exemplifies the Volunteer spirit. Chief Alumni Officer Duane Wiles and his amazing staff are fully committed to all our alumni and our university, and I look forward to working with everyone to ensure the board’s success.
There are so many great happenings on our 920-acre campus, and it all starts with university leadership. President Randy Boyd and Chancellor Donde Plowman are advancing UT to new heights with record enrollment and a record student retention rate. As you stroll through campus, you’ll see a brand-new building for the College of Nursing, construction on a second Haslam College of Business building, and progress on new residence halls for UT’s growing student body. You might also notice renovations underway at Neyland Stadium, Thompson-Boling Arena at Food City Center, and Lindsey Nelson Stadium. Each of these upgrades showcases the university’s commitment to academic and athletic excellence that we as a board are excited to support.
The university has more than 900 programs of study, 14 degree-granting colleges, over 360 undergraduate programs, 547 graduate programs, and more than 70 online programs. In the past year, nearly $80 million in scholarships and financial aid was offered to students. In addition, more than 90 percent of first-year students received financial aid and scholarships. In fact, nearly half of UT students graduated with no debt last year. In 1794, UT started out as a small college. Now, it is and will continue to be a leader in the state and around the world.
The Alumni Board of Directors fully supports Chancellor Plowman’s priorities of providing an unparalleled student experience, advancing research that changes lives, and leading the way in college athletics. The board consists of individuals who are passionate about the university and who continue to serve the university in many ways. In that Volunteer spirit, the board has three main priorities for the 2025-2026 calendar year. Our first priority is to support Big Orange Give, UT’s annual day of giving, by providing a matching gift of $100,000. Last year, the board set a record for giving, and we are excited to continue to support student scholarships. Board members have donated $94 million collectively to the university.
Our second priority is to continue our support for the Division of Student Success for the fifth year. The Division of Student Success at UT works to engage and maximize each scholar’s academic experience by supporting their unique strengths and understanding how these strengths contribute to their academic dreams, career paths, and personal well-being. Through our Alumni Speaker Series, various board members will serve as guest speakers focused on students’ career development.
Our third priority is to grow the brand of the Alumni Board of Directors. As a board, we want to engage with students, fellow alumni, and promoters of the university to raise the national profile of the board. We want people to know who we are and how much love we have for UT. Look for us soon on social media promoting our work and sharing ways you can get involved with your local alumni chapter or even join this board.
More than 150 alumni have served on this board over the past 10 years, and more than 200 alumni have been recognized through the Alumni Awards program. The alumni board wants to see all 290,649 alumni engaged with the university whether that’s attending sporting and tailgating events, connecting with current students, or helping to raise funds for scholarships. There’s no better time to be a Tennessee Vol. Show your love for this amazing university by giving back to a place that has given us all so much.
On a personal note, my life would not be what it is today if it wasn’t for UT. I met my wife and my best friends for life on Rocky Top. I know so many other people’s lives have been changed by UT, and that is why it’s important for us alumni to stay engaged with a place that has made us who we are today. Whether it’s through memories of a roaring Neyland Stadium, hikes to classes on the Hill, or late-night evenings on the Strip, UT has laid the foundation for so many of our lives.
Thank you, and go Vols!
Clay Hart
