Written By Cassandra J. Sproles (’22)
In July, there was a little more orange than usual in London’s Westminster Abbey thanks to members of UT’s first international alumni chapter, who gathered to hear students from the Natalie L. Haslam College of Music perform in the historic venue. “I really enjoyed hearing the Chamber Singers’ beautiful voices in such a magnificent setting,” says Jeanie Costa Torchio (’95), president of the London alumni chapter.
“I love getting to connect with people who share the same love for Tennessee and UT, in a place where most people can’t point out Tennessee on a map.”
Alaina Washington (’24)
Torchio and more than 500 other VFLs who call London home have long gathered for football watch parties and other activities, and in April the group became the first official international alumni chapter. Alaina Washington, who graduated in 2024 with a degree in industrial engineering, is finishing her master’s degree in health, well-being, and sustainable buildings at University College London and says the alumni chapter is a nice reminder of home.
“I love getting to connect with people who share the same love for Tennessee and UT, in a place where most people can’t point out Tennessee on a map,” says Washington. She first discovered the chapter while looking for other Vols to watch the Tennessee–Alabama game with.
Torchio, who graduated from UT with a degree in journalism with a public relations concentration, says that connection is important for alumni. “London is a big city, and it’s easy to feel lost in the crowd,” she says. “Having the alumni chapter here has given me a home base of sorts. When we are all together for an activity, I know that I am surrounded by people who understand me and my roots.”
In June, the London chapter was joined by a newly minted international alumni chapter in Tokyo. Chancellor Donde Plowman joined the group for its inaugural reception. “[It was] great connecting with fellow Vols on the other side of the world. The Big Orange family really is everywhere,” Plowman wrote on her Instagram.
With more than 160 alumni, the new chapter is led by Yoshi Momoki, a broadcasting graduate who has taken his love for UT to the next level by opening the Good Ole Tennessee Bar in Tokyo. “Many guests have brought so many souvenirs for display at the walls to make my bar truly authentic. You will be surprised by the interior decors, looking like a mini–Tennessee museum,” Momoki says. Plowman added to the Big Orange decor, bringing some memorabilia from Vol baseball’s recent national championship.
Steve Catlett, associate vice chancellor and chief international officer, has visited both international chapters and is excited for the possibility of growth in other regions of the world. “We want to connect UT alumni and friends with the university in ways that are meaningful to them,” says Catlett. “For some, it’s gathering together around the world with other Vols. While others look for opportunities to return to campus to serve their alma mater in a volunteer capacity or give back financially. All of these ways help UT move forward.”
