Mike Littlejohn (’73)

Growing up in a family of eight children in Memphis, Mike Littlejohn learned the value of hard work and a good education from his parents. He also learned that he loved sales, starting with his paper route and selling sweet potatoes door to door.

After graduating in 1973 from the Haslam College of Business with a BS in finance, he started a 32-year career with IBM.

Grateful for his years at UT, Littlejohn resolved that, if he ever had the chance, he would give back and help someone else. To that end, he established the Mike Littlejohn Scholarship in the Haslam College of Business.

Currently, Littlejohn serves as chair of the UT Foundation Board and has been a board member for several years. He has also served on the UT Development Council, the UT Alumni Association Board of Governors, and a committee to shape the working plan for the Alumni Networking Program. Having retired in Knoxville, Littlejohn is a regular visitor to the Haslam College of Business, speaking to various student groups and mentoring the students he supports with his scholarship. He also spoke at the college’s commencement in 2011.

Both of his sons, Karl and Drew, graduated from the Haslam College of Business, in 2002 and 2009, respectively.