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Mitchell Connell (’15) grew up in Nashville, so moving to Knoxville for college was a big change. But when he spotted a fellow student riding a Surly Long Haul Trucker bike down Ped Walkway, he knew he’d found his people here. Now a proud co-owner and co-founder of Two Bikes nonprofit, Connell credits much of his success to the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.  

“If you’re in Knoxville, and you’re wearing the color orange, we’re friends,” says Emma Poppert. “When you’re a Vol, you’re a Vol for life.”

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. 

Butch Wilmore (’94) watched last year’s Homecoming game as a NASA astronaut aboard the International Space Station (ISS), but for 2025 he will be on campus as grand marshal of the Homecoming parade at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.

Honorees’ achievements span fields such as business, health care, education, technology, athletics and even outer space — a testament to the Volunteer spirit and its impact across the globe.

Alumni join students to celebrate 100 years of Torch Night at the University of Tennessee.